Ed Ramsay, a commissioner for Salem County, declared on Tuesday that he would run for the state assembly in the third legislative district.
Ramsay will compete against Assemblymembers Dave Bailey (D-Woodstown) and Heather Simmons (D-Glassboro) in what is likely to be a heated GOP primary. Ramsay is a commissioner for the second time.
The Republican claimed that the state’s counties and municipalities were subjected to an excessive number of mandates from lawmakers and officials. According to Ramsay, local governments are far too frequently told by the state that they must enact reforms without any funding.
In his announcement, he added, “I am a strong believer in Home Rule and will take that fight to Trenton.” Trenton has been forcing this and that on our Counties and Municipalities for [too] long, but without any planning or funding—just orders.
The majority of the district’s voters are from Gloucester County. The district includes all of Salem County and portions of Cumberland County.
Following their close wins in 2023, Assembly Republicans have made Bailey and Simmons their prime targets.
Three Republican county groups are currently investigating their chances of winning one of the two primary seats. However, there is no assurance that voters will support the two candidates who have an agreement between the county chairmen in what is likely to be a lineless primary. In other words, if voters choose that course, it’s possible that one county will end up with both seats.
Harrison Deputy Mayor Lawrence Moore, former Assemblywoman Beth Sawyer, and Cumberland County Commissioner Arthur Marchand are possible more GOP contenders.
No other Republicans have declared or filed to run.
In addition, Ramsay stated that he wants to enhance the Open Public Records Act since its current version makes it too difficult and costly to make information available to the public.
