Atlantic County's New Political Reality: Five Election Upsets, a Narrowed GOP Majority and Big Promises to Keep

With a new sheriff, a new county clerk and three incoming commissioners, attention turns from the ballot box to how Atlantic County will be governed in 2027.

ATLANTIC COUNTY, N.J. — The campaign signs are coming down, the votes are being counted and Atlantic County's political landscape is preparing for one of its most significant changes in years.

Democrats swept all five contested county offices in the November 3 election, defeating the Republican sheriff, county clerk and three incumbent county commissioners.

But the biggest story may be what happens next.

When the newly elected officials take office in January, Atlantic County will have a new sheriff promising changes in law enforcement operations, a new county clerk responsible for important public records and election functions, and a Board of County Commissioners where Republicans will hold just a one-seat majority.

The Republican advantage on the nine-member board will shrink from 8–1 to 5–4, potentially changing how the county approaches spending, public safety, major construction projects and other government priorities.

For voters, the election is over. For the people who will govern Atlantic County, the real work is just beginning.

A New Sheriff With Promises to Keep

One of the most closely watched transitions will take place at the Atlantic County Sheriff's Office.

Democrat Sean Riggin, Atlantic City's public safety director and a former Pleasantville police chief, defeated Republican incumbent Joseph "Tokyo Joe" O'Donoghue.

Unofficial results showed Riggin receiving 48,980 votes to O'Donoghue's 42,476, a margin of 6,504 votes.

O'Donoghue had captured the office in 2023, defeating Democratic incumbent Eric Scheffler. His defeat means the Sheriff's Office will return to Democratic leadership after one Republican term.

During the campaign, Riggin repeatedly emphasized the need to reassess the department's operations, particularly the transportation of prisoners and the responsibilities assigned to sheriff's officers.

In a November 2 appearance on News Talk 1400 & 92.3 WOND, Riggin identified prisoner transportation as a major concern he had heard from the law enforcement community.

"What we've heard most clearly is they want prisoner transport," Riggin said.

The issue is more complicated than simply assigning deputies to additional duties.

Prisoner transportation requires trained personnel, appropriate vehicles, security procedures and coordination with local police departments, correctional facilities and the courts.

The incoming sheriff will need to determine whether the department can assume additional responsibilities with its existing personnel and budget or whether changes in staffing and spending will be necessary.

That question was a point of disagreement during the campaign.

O'Donoghue defended his administration's operations and raised concerns about the personnel and resources needed to expand transportation services.

The disagreement now presents Riggin with an early test: Can he deliver the operational changes he advocated while maintaining court security, warrant enforcement and the department's other responsibilities?

Riggin will also inherit an agency whose employees have worked under different leadership philosophies over the past several years.

How he manages that transition, establishes priorities and works with county officials on funding will help determine the success of his administration.

Lisa Bender Takes Over the County Clerk's Office

Another significant transition will occur in the Atlantic County Clerk's Office.

Democrat Lisa Bender defeated Republican incumbent Joseph Giralo by 49,443 votes to 41,830, according to unofficial results.

Bender's victory returns the office to Democratic control after Giralo's election in 2021.

Although the county clerk receives less public attention than the sheriff, the office performs essential government functions.

Those responsibilities include recording deeds and mortgages, maintaining public records, processing certain business documents and carrying out election-related duties established under state law.

During an October interview on WOND's Off The Press with Scott Cronick, Bender discussed election administration, public access to government services and the responsibilities of the clerk's office.

Her campaign placed the office's operations and accessibility before voters.

As she prepares to take office, questions include whether she will propose changes to public-facing services, expand online access to records or alter administrative procedures.

Giralo, meanwhile, had emphasized technology and modernization during his tenure.

His previous WOND interviews included discussions of election administration and technological improvements within the office.

The transition therefore offers an opportunity to compare the outgoing administration's initiatives with Bender's plans.

For residents and businesses that depend on county records, the important measure will be whether services remain reliable and accessible during the change in leadership.

A 5–4 Commissioner Board Changes the Equation

Perhaps the most consequential long-term change will be on the Atlantic County Board of County Commissioners.

Democrats Jonathan Marcellus and Kyle Gornick defeated Republican incumbents John Risley Jr. and June Byrnes for two at-large seats.

Democrat Richard Healey also defeated Republican incumbent Andrew Parker in Commissioner District 3.

The victories will increase Democratic representation from one commissioner to four, leaving Republicans with five seats.

That means the GOP will retain control of the board, but without the overwhelming numerical advantage it previously enjoyed.

The shift could influence discussions over county spending, capital improvements, government services and other major policy decisions.

Republicans will still have enough votes to approve measures that require a simple majority of the full board, assuming all five Republican commissioners vote together.

But the narrower margin leaves less room for disagreement within the majority.

It also gives Democrats a much larger voice in debates over county priorities.

Marcellus, Gornick and Healey will enter office with an opportunity to influence those discussions, even though their party will not control the board.

The new commissioners will also need to establish working relationships with County Executive Dennis Levinson, a Republican who has led Atlantic County government for more than two decades.

Levinson's administration will continue to play a central role in preparing county budgets, managing departments and developing major initiatives.

The relationship between the executive's office and the newly configured board could become one of the defining political dynamics of 2027.

County Jail and Spending Decisions Could Become Early Tests

Among the issues likely to confront county officials is the future of Atlantic County's correctional infrastructure.

The county has been examining the need for improvements and potential replacement of aging jail facilities, an issue with significant financial and operational implications.

Outgoing Commissioner June Byrnes discussed the proposed jail replacement and broader county priorities during previous WOND interviews.

Any major correctional construction project would require careful consideration of costs, financing, staffing, public safety and long-term operational needs.

The new commissioner board could have an important role in evaluating those decisions.

With Democrats holding four seats, questions about project costs and alternatives could receive greater scrutiny.

However, the election results do not establish whether the incoming commissioners will support or oppose a particular jail proposal.

Their positions, and the extent to which they agree with the Levinson administration, remain important questions heading into the new year.

County finances will also be closely watched.

Residents continue to face concerns about property taxes, public services and the cost of government.

The new commissioners will have to balance campaign commitments with the financial realities of operating county government.

Longtime Republican Commissioners Leave the Board

The election also marks the departure of several familiar figures in Atlantic County politics.

John Risley Jr., who served for more than two decades, was among the Republicans defeated in the at-large commissioner race.

Risley had survived several close elections during his career, including narrow victories in 2017 and 2020.

This year's results were considerably more decisive.

June Byrnes, another Republican incumbent, also lost her reelection bid.

Byrnes had been active in discussions involving veterans, county facilities and community programs.

Andrew Parker's defeat in District 3 completes the turnover of the three contested commissioner seats.

The departures will remove experienced Republican voices from the board while creating opportunities for newly elected officials to establish their own priorities.

For the remaining Republican commissioners, the challenge will be maintaining a governing majority while adjusting to a substantially different political environment.

Democrats Also Gain Ground in Key Municipalities

The changes extend beyond county government.

Democrats also won important municipal contests, including races that will shift governing control in Egg Harbor Township and Hamilton Township.

In Egg Harbor Township, Democrats Juanita Hyman and Tamika Gilbert-Floyd defeated Republican incumbents Laura Pfrommer and Paul Hodson for full Township Committee terms.

Democrat Anthony Calandrillo also won a one-year unexpired term, giving Democrats control of the committee.

In Hamilton Township, Democrat Maria Newman defeated Republican incumbent Eric Aiken, shifting the Township Committee to a 3–2 Democratic majority.

Those victories mean the party will enter 2027 with greater influence not only at the county level but also in two of Atlantic County's largest municipalities.

The changes could affect local spending, development decisions, appointments and relationships with county government.

Still, winning control of a governing body does not automatically translate into agreement on every issue.

Newly elected officials will face the same challenge as their county counterparts: translating campaign positions into workable government policies.

A Political Shift, but Not Complete Democratic Control

The election results represent a major setback for Atlantic County Republicans.

Yet the county will not become entirely Democratic-controlled.

Levinson remains county executive, Republicans will retain a 5–4 commissioner majority, and the GOP continues to hold important municipal offices.

The result is a more politically competitive county government rather than a complete transfer of power.

That distinction matters.

The newly elected Democratic commissioners will have greater influence, but they will still need support from Republicans to advance measures requiring a board majority.

Similarly, Riggin and Bender will assume leadership of their respective offices while operating within county budget processes and state laws.

The practical effects of the election will depend on decisions made after the new officials are sworn in.

The Questions Voters Should Be Asking

The campaign produced competing visions of how Atlantic County government should operate.

Now those visions will be tested.

Will Riggin be able to expand prisoner transportation services without significant additional spending?

Will Bender introduce meaningful changes to the county clerk's office while maintaining existing services?

Will the four Democratic commissioners work with the Republican majority, or will the narrower margin produce more contentious budget and policy debates?

How will Levinson approach a board where Democrats have substantially greater representation?

And what will the new political balance mean for major projects, including the future of county correctional facilities?

Those questions will not be answered by the election results alone.

They will be answered through budgets, appointments, operational decisions and the day-to-day work of county government.

For Atlantic County residents, the next several months may be more important than the campaign itself.

The November 3 election changed who will hold office.

Beginning in January, voters will find out what those changes mean.

The election results remain unofficial pending completion of the canvass and certification. South Jersey NewsBeat will continue following the transition and examining how newly elected officials carry out their campaign commitments.