Gloucester Republicans pick favorites for U.S. Senate, House races

Joseph P. Smith, Cherry Hill Courier-Post
·1 min read

HARRISON TWP. — The Gloucester County Republican Party is putting its official support ahead of the June primary election behind Cape May County businessman Curtis Bashaw for the U.S. Senate and Collingswood resident Claire Gustafson for the U.S. House of Representatives from the 1st District.

County Chairwoman Jacci Vigilante said the decision followed screening committee interviews with competing candidates.

Bashaw is seeking the seat held by Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez. Gustafson is seeking the nomination to run against Democratic U.S. Rep Donald Norcross.

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Vigilante touted Bashaw’s business owner background and Gustafson’s campaign work ethic.

A Camden County native, Bashaw has a master of business administration degree from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He is founder and managing partner of Cape Resorts, a company that restores and operates “classic” resort properties in New Jersey and New York.

Hotel and real estate entrepreneur Curtis Bashaw is a candidate for the U.S. Senate in the 2024 Republican primary race.
Hotel and real estate entrepreneur Curtis Bashaw is a candidate for the U.S. Senate in the 2024 Republican primary race.

Gustafson has been the GOP nominee against Norcross in two past congressional races. “Her experience on the school board and local planning and zoning boards demonstrates her willingness to do the yeoman's work and to lead by example,” Vigilante said.

Bashaw also has official support from GOP organizations in Atlantic, Camden, Cumberland, Ocean, Mercer, and Somerset counties. Bashaw also won support from Middlesex and Cape May counties Republican parties, according to campaign spokeswoman Jeanette Hoffman.

Claire Gustafson
Claire Gustafson

Joe Smith is a N.E. Philly native transplanted to South Jersey 36 years ago, keeping an eye now on government in South Jersey. He is a former editor and current senior staff writer for The Daily Journal in Vineland, Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, and the Burlington County Times.

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This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Gloucester County GOP adds endorsements in U.S. Senate, House races