Camden County Democrats have settled on Freeholder Joseph Ripa, the father of television personality Kelly Ripa, as their candidate for County Clerk. Ripa, a labor leader and a Freeholder since 2004, will replace James Beach. Beach resigned in January after winning a special election convention for State Senator.
Democrats will now need to find a new Freeholder candidate to replace Ripa, who was expected to seek re-election to a third term this fall. There could be as many as two open Freeholder seats if South Jersey Democrats pick Freeholder Rodney Greco to run for an open Assembly seat in the fourth district.
Gov. Jon Corzine can nominate Ripa to become the Acting Clerk, a move that requires State Senate confirmation.
Ripa served as President of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 880 and has served as Vice President of the Central Labor Council of Camden and Gloucester. He was elected Freeholder in 2003.
