Ocean City, NJ Voters Head To Polls To Elect New Mayor In Nasty Campaign
Ocean City, New Jersey voters will go to the polls on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 to elect a Mayor for the next four years.
It is a non-partisan election -- meaning that the candidates do not run under the banner of the Republican or Democrat Party.
Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian
The voters of Ocean City have elected Gillian to be their Mayor for the past four elections (16 years total) in 2010, 2014, 2018 & 2022.
Gillian is on tomorrow’s ballot and is seeking a fifth term in office.
Gillian's Focus For The Past 16 Years
Gillian has focused on infrastructure projects, including: drainage, utilities, rebuilding the boardwalk and improving city properties.
Some examples include:
- A new City Hall and Public Safety building.
- Flood mitigation.
- Focus to position Ocean City as a top beach town.
Gillian Has Prioritized Tourism
Gillian's economic strategy has featured an emphasis on tourism and supporting local business and industry in Ocean City.
Gillian Controversy
The redevelopment of the former Wonderland Pier, which was sold to developer Eustace Mita in 2021, after The Gillian Family business failed after almost 100 years of successful operation.
A Political Action Committee Has Gone Hard After Gillian
The "group" is called "Our Ocean City PAC," with an address of P.O. Box 93, Ocean City, New Jersey 08226.
They note that they "are not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee."
It's Been A Nasty Election
This PAC group appears to only attack Gillian and another current mayoral challenger, City Councilman Peter Madden -- but mostly Gillian. I cannot find an example of this PAC criticizing City Councilman Keith Hartzell, the third candidate running for Mayor.
Gillian Defeated Hartzell by a margin of 55% to 45% in the 2022 election for Mayor of Ocean City.
The Backdrop Of This Election
There appears to be no criticism of the job that Gillian has done as Mayor of Ocean City. The strategy appears to be to try to knock him out of his position by tagging him with his personal financial challenges.
Ocean City Council At-Large Race
There are 3 openings for the Ocean City Council in tomorrow's election, with a total of 4 candidates seeking the position.
Incumbents Sean Barnes and Tony Polcini are running for re-election, along with Jim Kelly.
Jocelyn Palaganas, a current Ocean City Board of Education member is also running.
Before being elected Mayor, Gillian was President of the Ocean City Board of Education.
Former Ocean City Mayor Roy Gillian
Jay is the son of Roy Gilllian, who served as Mayor of Ocean City from 1986-1990.
Jay Gillian is a lifelong resident of Ocean City and the former owner and chief executive officer of the iconic Wonderland Pier.
Ocean City Photos -- Boardwalk Repairs
