Brigantine Mayor Vince Sera Says Republicans Must Focus on Affordability, Pledges to Work With Democrat Zack Mullock

Following Democratic election victories, Sera says voters want practical solutions, praises outgoing Congressman Jeff Van Drew and calls for cooperation across party lines.

BRIGANTINE, N.J. — Brigantine Mayor Vince Sera says Republicans need to pay closer attention to the everyday concerns of voters following Tuesday's Democratic election victories, acknowledging that issues such as affordability, health care and economic security helped shape the outcome.

In a candid interview Friday, November 6, on The Don Williams Show on News Talk 1400 & 92.3 WOND, the Republican mayor offered his assessment of the election, expressed disappointment over the defeat of several longtime political allies and pledged to work with newly elected Democratic Congressman Zack Mullock.

Sera said the election reflected both frustration with President Donald Trump and the appeal of Democrats' emphasis on economic issues.

“This election, it was about two things,” Sera told Williams. “Number one, it was a referendum on the president. You know, a lot of people are very frustrated about what's going on in the country.”

But he said Republicans also need to recognize the issues Democrats emphasized during the campaign.

“If you really look at the Democrat platform and get away from some of the politics here, if you really look at their platform, they're focused on affordability. They're focused on health care. They're focused on helping people.”

Sera pointed to Gov. Mikie Sherrill's campaign message as an example.

“Like even Governor Sherrill, when she ran it, the whole platform of people need help. I think that that is very true.”

For Sera, the lesson is that elected officials need to focus less on partisan arguments and more on the problems residents face.

“The economy is out of control. People want to make sure that they feel safe. They need jobs,” he said.

“They need to be able to provide for the family. They need decent schools. And I don't care what political party you're a part of.”

“This is a common need for everybody. And it's what everybody should be focused on.”

Sera Says Brigantine Republicans Remained Strong

While Democrats made significant gains across Atlantic County, Sera said Brigantine continued to support Republican candidates.

The mayor estimated that voter turnout in Brigantine approached 60%, although he acknowledged he did not yet have the final figures.

“There were lines in front of the polling places for a while,” he said. “It was a really good turnout in Brigantine. I don't have the final number, but it was, I think, close to 60% turnout, which is an incredible turnout.”

Sera praised the community's commitment to voting.

“That's something that Brigantine is really good. People here show up to vote regardless of political party. Everybody shows up and does their part.”

He also said Republican candidates performed particularly well locally.

“I can tell you very proudly that Brigantine, for Republicans, Democrats, Republicans turned out two to one, every candidate from top to bottom, one, two to one,” Sera said.

“Unfortunately, that wasn't the case countywide.”

His comments came after an election in which Democrats captured several prominent Atlantic County offices and Mullock defeated longtime Republican Congressman Jeff Van Drew in New Jersey's 2nd Congressional District.

'I Lost a Lot of Good Friends'

Sera acknowledged that the election results were personally disappointing because of his relationships with several Republican officials who lost their races.

“I lost a lot of good friends,” he said.

He specifically praised Van Drew and outgoing Atlantic County Clerk Joe Giralo for their responsiveness to Brigantine.

“I don't think anybody worked harder for the district than Congressman Van Drew. He was always there for us.”

Sera said Van Drew had been particularly helpful with Brigantine's coastal protection needs.

“Congressman Van Drew has been a true champion for Brigantine and a champion for South Jersey.”

The mayor's comments reflected the importance of relationships between local governments and federal officials, particularly for shore communities seeking assistance with beach replenishment, storm protection and infrastructure projects.

Brigantine has faced significant coastal erosion challenges, including problems along its northern shoreline.

Sera said Van Drew consistently made himself available to municipal officials when those issues arose.

But despite his disappointment over the congressman's defeat, Sera said he intends to establish a productive working relationship with Mullock.

Mayor Hopes to Build Relationship With Mullock

Sera said he has heard positive things about Mullock's record in local government and hopes the new congressman will be accessible to Brigantine officials.

“I hear that he's a good guy,” Sera said.

“I hear that he served well as mayor and I'm hoping that that is true, that he's a good guy.”

He said his priority is establishing the same kind of direct communication with Mullock that Brigantine enjoyed with Van Drew.

“I'm hoping that I'm able to pick up the phone to talk with him and develop that relationship because really that's what it's about.”

Sera rejected the idea that political differences should prevent officials from cooperating on matters affecting their communities.

“There's a lot of people who think that their partisan fighting goes along with every elected official out there,” he said.

“And I find that that's not the truth. There's so many good people on both sides of the aisle that are willing to work together to do what's right for people.”

The mayor said productive relationships require elected officials to recognize where they disagree while concentrating on areas of common interest.

“Sometimes you got to put the partisanship down,” he said.

“Like when I talk with people on the other side of the aisle, I'm like, look, I know we disagree on this. Let's leave that alone. Here's what we agree on.”

“Let's work on that. And that's how you build relationships. That's how you get stuff done.”

Sherrill's Visit to Brigantine Left an Impression

Sera also discussed his interactions with Sherrill, saying the governor had personally visited Brigantine to examine the community's coastal concerns.

He said the visit demonstrated the importance of maintaining relationships with officials regardless of political affiliation.

“We had Congressman Van Drew here. He's always helped us. But we also had Governor Sherrill here,” Sera said.

“We're one of the few shore towns in the entire state that she came to to look at personally.”

According to Sera, Sherrill acknowledged his relationship with Van Drew while making clear that her administration was willing to assist Brigantine.

“She said, look, I know Van Drew's your guy. You guys have a good relationship,” Sera recalled.

“She's like, I'm also here to help too.”

Sera said that willingness to cooperate should be a model for officials at every level of government.

“I think that's a big part of this being able to work across the aisle.”

The mayor said Brigantine's success depends on developing and maintaining those relationships, especially when the community needs assistance with major projects.

Lessons From Former State Sen. Chris Brown

Sera credited former Republican state Sen. Chris Brown with helping shape his approach to public service.

He recalled a conversation in which Brown challenged him to spend less time describing what he opposed and more time identifying what he wanted to accomplish.

“I learned that from Senator Chris Brown,” Sera said.

He described Brown interrupting him during a discussion.

“He stops me dead. He looks at me, he goes, look, I've heard everything you're against. What are you for?”

Sera said Brown continued pressing the point.

“He goes, look, you can keep shaking your fist and tell me all the things that you're going to fight against. He goes, what are you going to fight for? And who are the people who are going to fight for this thing?”

The conversation changed his perspective, Sera said.

“And it changed my perspective. And he's right.”

He said elected officials can accomplish more when they identify shared goals rather than allowing disagreements to dominate every relationship.

“There are people out there that maybe we don't agree with every issue, but there are things that we agree on and we can work together on those issues to help people.”

“Once you have a perspective of what you're willing to fight for, what you stand for, you can find good people to make a difference.”

Sera also credited former Brigantine Mayor Phil Guenther with emphasizing the importance of building relationships.

“One of the things he said is the success of the community depends on the relationships that you're able to build,” Sera recalled.

'We Are in the Service of the People'

Throughout the interview, Sera returned to his belief that government officials should approach their positions as public service rather than partisan competition.

He said Brigantine's municipal government has deliberately tried to avoid becoming consumed by national political disputes.

“We don't really get tied up in the national level. I'm going to call it national level nonsense,” he said.

“There's a lot of fighting that goes back and forth. I understand why people fight. But when it comes to everyday life, people need help.”

Sera said that principle applies to Republicans and Democrats alike.

“When we get elected, we are here to provide community service.”

“We are in the service of the people. And that's something that I think we need to get back to.”

He argued that Republican candidates who maintained a strong focus on constituent services performed better in their communities.

“If you really look at the towns, where they focused on community service, those Republicans did well.”

The mayor said his administration intends to continue working with officials from both parties.

“We work both sides of the aisle and we're going to continue those relationships and the people who want to work with us will do that.”

“And those who don't, that's fine. We'll find other people who do.”

Sera said he believes Brigantine's reputation for cooperation will continue to benefit the community.

“Brigantine will always survive because of the relationships and honestly, the respect that we show people for the positions they hold.”

Sera Thanks Brigantine Voters

Sera concluded the interview by thanking residents for supporting the borough's Republican municipal leadership, which faced no opposition in Tuesday's election.

He specifically thanked voters for placing their confidence in him and Commissioners Neil Kane and Mike Riordan.

“I really want to thank the people of Brigantine for putting their trust in myself and Neal Kane and Mike Riordan,” Sera said.

“We have an incredible team here. We work very hard and we are proud and honored to serve this community.”

He said the administration takes that responsibility seriously.

“We are so humbled by the trust that people put in us to lead the community.”

“And we thank them for the opportunity to serve Brigantine for another four years.”

For Sera, the message following an election that dramatically changed the region's political landscape is that the work of local government must continue regardless of which party controls higher offices.

With a new congressman preparing to take office and Democrats assuming a larger role in Atlantic County government, Sera said he will continue building relationships with anyone willing to help Brigantine.

And he believes that approach should guide other elected officials as well.

“Here's what we agree on,” Sera said. “Let's work on that.”