Christy resigns Gloucester County commission seat, Democrat faced re-election in November

Joseph P. Smith, Cherry Hill Courier-Post
·2 min read
South Jersey News Update

WOODBURY – Gloucester County Commissioner Daniel Christy has resigned his office, citing increased work responsibilities in a new position with the International United Brotherhood of Carpenters.

Board of Commissioners Director Frank J. DiMarco announced the resignation Wednesday in a news release. The statement did not specify an effective date for the resignation or plans to appoint a successor.

As of Thursday, DiMarco had not returned a call to his office asking when Christy specifically had resigned and when it specifically took effect.

County spokeswoman Shannon O'Brien said Thursday she had no more information to release about the circumstances of Christy leaving.

Christy, a Democrat, was in the final year of a three-year term. He first was elected in November 2013, running with DiMarco. He won a third term in November 2019.

Christy, who attended the Jan. 19 board meeting, could not be reached for comment. He is resident of the Sewell area of Washington Township.

Christy is part of a 5-2 Democratic majority on the county governing body. In November 2021, Republicans won both open seats on the board. Longtime Democratic Director Robert Damminger was defeated in the election.

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DiMarco, in the news release, states that Christy recently was promoted to Eastern District representative for the International. He has been a business representative for the union in South Jersey.

“Due to the recent increase in responsibilities to the Carpenter’s International Union, his new assignments will require significant time away from Gloucester County and his responsibilities as a Gloucester County commissioner,” DiMarco stated. “Commissioner Christy, recognizing that this would prohibit him from continuing the level of service the taxpayers need and deserve, has nobly tendered his resignation.”

DiMarco made no statement regarding the Democratic plan for replacing Christy.

Past roles for Christy as commissioner included liaison to the Department of Emergency Response, EMS, the Gloucester County Animal Shelter, and Office of Veterans Affairs.

Earlier in his political career, Christy was appointed to the county Improvement Authority and to Washington Township’s Planning Board and environmental Committee.

He also in recent years was appointed to the state Pinelands Commission and the Delaware River Port Authority.

This story was updated Wednesday.

Joe Smith is a N.E. Philly native transplanted to South Jersey more than 30 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.

Have a tip? jsmith@thedailyjournal.com Help support local journalism with a subscription.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Gloucester County Democrats have a commissioner vacancy ahead of Nov.