Is SOUTH South Jersey The New GOP Vanguard?

A sprawling four-county area!

Ahhhh . . . the south Jersey shore! 
Most people think of it as the area from Brigantine to Cape May and, no doubt about it, the Atlantic shoreline has an allure all its own. 

But it's more than the sun, sand and surf.  In a broader sense, South Jersey's shore includes the bay as well as the ocean and encompasses Cumberland and parts of Salem county in addition to Atlantic and Cape May counties.

This vast area (stretching from one side of the state to the other) includes farmland, parts of the Pinelands and so many distinct and historic enclaves that it's endlessly fascinating. 

And what we'll call south South Jersey is also emerging as the command center of the conservative movement in the state because it's not just predominantly Republican but it's conservative Republican. 

In fact, you can paint this area a rich, vivid red like the strawberries or tomatoes you might find there on a drive to one of the area's many roadside farm markets.

Republicans have complete control of county government in Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland and Salem counties and they also hold nearly all of the row offices in those counties. In fact, while the GOP did not do as well as expected statewide in last November's election, Republicans in these four counties did quite well, picking up numerous seats.

And this area is also the home to powerful Republican leaders such as State Senator Mike Testa (who's been hugely successful) and US Congressman Jeff VanDrew. Plus, it has it has a healthy share of incumbent GOP legislators (six in all) and is producing many young, emerging GOP stars who are winning big at the local level. You might say it's got a powerhouse team with a strong bench.

Whether it's the ocean breeze, the scent of the pines, the open space or the rugged individualism that seems to prevail in these parts, the Republicans in south South Jersey are feistier and more conservative than their counterparts in other areas of the state. They seem to have taken Ronald Reagan's mantra to heart: paint in bold colors and don't be afraid to draw clear distinctions between yourself and your opponents. In other words, don't wait to react. Instead, stand tall, go on offense and fight with conviction.

No one should be surprised at any of this as the region has always been defiant and disruptive going all the way back to Congressman Charlie Sandman who routinely bucked the state's starchy GOP establishment. These days that same fighting spirit has been exemplified by another native of the area, Kellyanne Conway. As confidante to President Donald Trump, Conway was said to be instrumental in getting Van Drew to switch to the GOP line, thus flipping a congressional seat.

As let's now forget that President Trump held one of his most successful 2020 rallies in Wildwood, brazenly challenging the assumption that New Jersey is out reach of the GOP's grasp. And now, as we head into the 2024 presidential election Trump is saying he'll be making a play for New Jersey's 14 electoral votes. It's a tall order but Trump has overcome bigger odds in the past. 

Frankly, we wouldn't be surprised if Trump came back to one of New Jersey's southernmost counties to ignite his campaign this time around. He's bound to get a wildly enthusiastic reception 

Hey, we've got nothing against other GOP counties in the state such as Ocean, Monmouth, Sussex and Warren but they just don't seem to have the scrappy brio that south South Jersey brings to the table. Avanti!