Belmar GOP Campaign HQ Vandalized, Mayor Demands Dems Assist Police

BELMAR, NJ - Just days ahead of a stacked borough council election in Belmar, vandalism at the local Republican party headquarters and nearby commercial site has prompted both sides to speak out.

A police report was filed Sunday morning, and local authorities are investigating the incident, Republican candidates said.

The vandalism, which saw spraypainted red slashes through headshots of three Republican candidates at the local GOP campaign headquarters and the phrase “blood money” written across a banner at the 900 Main Street site, drew the ire of Republican candidates Mayor Mark Walsifer, Councilman James McCracken and Council candidate Katrina Clapsis on social media.

In a joint statement released Sunday, the candidates called the act an injection of “a new level of venom and polarization into the local municipal race.”

“We demand that all three Democrat candidates immediately, unequivocally and publicly condemn this unacceptable behavior, and that they assist Belmar police in their investigation should any Democrat candidate or their supporters have any knowledge of this event or its perpetrators,” a statement posted to Facebook from the GOP candidates read.

“We have purposefully run a clean race focused exclusively on the issues and totally devoid of any personal, polarizing attacks, because we believe that that is what the people of Belmar expect of us,” Walsifer said. “To see the Democrat side engage in wanton destruction of property is as disappointing as it is appalling. This is not how we are supposed to conduct politics in Belmar.”

Local Democratic candidates Gerald Buccafusco, Maria Rondinaro and Mark Levis quickly condemned the rival party’s statement, noting their added contempt for vandalism in the borough.

“These unlawful acts of vandalism are inexcusable, and perpetrators must be brought to justice,” the statement read.

“Our campaign had absolutely nothing to do with these actions and for the mayor to imply, without evidence, that these acts were carried out by us, or anyone associated with our campaign, is reckless and irresponsible.”

The heated race for Belmar's newest mayor and council is already underway with early and mail-in voting, but residents have a final chance to cast their ballots on Tuesday. Read more: Who Filed For Belmar Mayor, Council In 2022?