The Ocean City Democratic Club voted unanimously Wednesday to endorse Bill Hughes Jr. in his bid for the Democratic nomination for the state’s 2nd Congressional District, a seat held by Republican Frank LoBiondo since 1994.
In a presentation and question-and-answer session, Hughes offered moderate opinions on a wide range of issues. He made no firm position statements.
Born, raised and educated in Ocean City, Hughes said the island “is and always will be my home town.”
Hughes, 46, is a Northfield resident and Atlantic City lawyer whose father served in the same Congressional seat from 1974 to 1995. He has a wife and three children.
Dave Cole, an engineer from Mantua Township, is also seeking the Democratic nomination. A primary election is scheduled for June 3 and the general election for the two-year seat is on Nov. 4.
Hughes has been identified by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee as one of 35 candidates who could receive national support as part of a “Red to Blue” campaign program.
While Hughes offered praise to underfunded Democratic challengers in the past two decades, he said, “Frank (LoBiondo) has never had an effective challenge. That ends this year.”
Wednesday’s event was held in the lecture hall at the Ocean City Free Public Library with about 25 in attendance.
