Moorestown Republicans Look For Boost From Allen Nomination

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Republicans in Moorestown turned out to the Burlington County Agricultural Center on Aug. 4 when a township native announced she was running for the Garden State’s second-highest elected position.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli announced longtime state legislator and Moorestown High School alum Diane Allen would join his ticket in the November elections.

While Ciattarelli is hoping Allen gives his chances to unseat incumbent Democrat Phil Murphy a boost, the local party is looking for the same thing as Vick Bobadillla pursues a council seat in a special election this November.

“She always overperforms in Moorestown,” Moorestown Republican Party Chairman Vinny Napolitano said. “Not just among Republicans, but also among Democrats and independents.”

She polled around 62 percent the last time she ran for office. After she took some time off due to a medical condition, Ciattarelli was able to convince her to return to the political realm.

Bobadilla was on hand for last week’s announcement, meeting with prospective voters to talk about the issues. He faces Democrat Quinton Law in an election this November to fill an unexpired term on a seat that was vacated in January. Read more here: Stage Set For Moorestown Special Election

“Low-income housing, taxes and schools are the main issues I’m hearing about,” Bobadilla said.
He said Allen running for a high-profile office is good for Moorestown at a time when Republicans are looking to regain control of council.

“She knows the town,” Bobadilla said. “She’s a huge asset.”

Republicans held a 4-1 majority on the 5-member township council in 2018, before the elections of Nicole Gillespie and Brian Donnelly swung the council to 3-2 Democratic majority. Last year’s elections of Sue Mammarella, Dave Zipin and Jake Van Dyken gave the Democrats all five seats.

Allen endorsed the Republican candidates last year, and Bobadilla is hoping for another endorsement and some advice ahead of this year’s election.

Napolitano said Allen adds value all around, and that Ciattarelli has been involved in Moorestown for about five years.

“He’s come to everything,” Napolitano said.

And he brought potential voters - not just from Moorestown, but around the region - to the township last week. Ciattarelli and Allen came to the stage to the sound of John Cougar Mellencamp’s, “Jack and Diane” to a round of cheers.

They spoke about cutting taxes and “fixing the system” in New Jersey. Allen said she’s someone who’s never known how to play the game, but she wants to make sure residents in Moorestown and statewide are happy to say they live in New Jersey. Read more here: Who Is Ciattarelli’s Running Mate, Diane Allen? See Key Issues

Allen graduated from Moorestown High School as the valedictorian in 1966 and served in the state legislature for 22 years, after her first foray into politics, an unsuccessful bid for a Moorestown Board of Education seat. She was the Moorestown Republican Party's first Lincoln Award winner in 2019. Read more here: Ciattarelli Recruits Running Mate To Take On Gov. Murphy

Election Day is Nov. 2.