Upset in Lawnside as Camden organization candidate loses mayoral primary

n a rare primary defeat for the Camden County Democratic organization, school board member Michael Harper upset Rhonda Wardlow-Hurley, a councilwoman and former county commissioner, in Tuesday’s mayoral primary.

Harper defeated Wardlow-Hurley, 617-215, a massive 65%-23% margin. A third candidate, Ervin Mears, received 109 votes.

For the two open borough council seats, Mark Still leads with 628 votes, followed by Richard Gibson with 623 votes. They defeated the organization-backed candidates, Bridgett Kittles (227) and Eric Wilcox, Sr. (227). Charles McNeil finished fifth with 137 votes.

Wardlow-Hurley served as an interim county commissioner in 2025 after Melinda Kane (D-Cherry Hill) resigned to become an assemblywoman. She is the Lawnside Democratic municipal chair.



https://newjerseyglobe.com/local/upset-in-lawnside-as-camden-organization-candidate-loses-mayoral-primary/