TOMS RIVER – Breaking the mold of traditional partisan politics, the Ocean County Commissioners have asked Governor Phil Murphy to reappoint Bradley D. Billhimer to a second five-year term as the county’s prosecutor.
All five members of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners are prominent Republicans; Billhimer is a Democrat.
During a recent meeting, the Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution requesting Murphy to consider Billhimer’s reappointment. The resolution highlighted Billhimer’s commitment to justice and his efforts to address the evolving needs of Ocean County. It praised his establishment of various community outreach programs, including Ocean County Cares and the Escape the Vape Taskforce, as well as his initiatives to combat the opioid epidemic.
Billhimer’s work in strengthening relationships between law enforcement and the faith-based community was also commended. Additionally, the prosecutor’s focus on bias prevention and his collaboration with numerous organizations for public safety and education in Ocean County were recognized.
The resolution passed by the Ocean County Commissioners includes references to Billhimer’s commitment to school-aged children. He and his team have conducted over 145 presentations in more than 70 schools during the 2022-2023 academic year alone. Through these meetings, they have reached over 20,000 students, educating them about topics such as internet safety, social media, and bullying.
As the county’s top law enforcement officer, Billhimer has taken his role beyond prosecuting crimes. In a remarkable initiative, he organized a symposium for local police officials to engage in a candid and accelerated discussion about perceived biases in law enforcement interactions. This proactive approach distinguished Billhimer as the sole county prosecutor to undertake such an endeavor.
The Ocean County Commissioners passed a resolution asking Governor Phil Murphy to reappoint Bradley D. Billhimer to a second five-year term as the county’s prosecutor. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
“I know Brad has the support of local legislators, and we want to get the Governor to fast-track this,” said Commissioner Gary Quinn. “We don’t want to drag out his life or ours.”
Quinn acknowledged Billhimer’s presence in the rear of the meeting room, while offering further commentary on what he called the “phenomenal job” the prosecutor has done since his appointment in 2018.
Commissioner Jack Kelly said that he’d received a number of calls asking why a Republican board would support a Democrat appointment.
“What I’ve told every one of them, I’ll say here publicly,” Kelly shared. “Because Brad Billhimer has been a nonpartisan – not a bipartisan, but nonpartisan prosecutor who has done an outstanding job for the people of Ocean County. I support anybody who supports the people of Ocean County.”
The other three commissioners echoed similar sentiments regarding Billhimer’s service to the county.
Billhimer’s ties to the community run deep as an Ocean County native who graduated from the Toms River school system. His commitment to the local area continued throughout his educational journey, as he pursued his undergraduate studies first at Ocean County College before transferring to Richard Stockton College of New Jersey.
In 1994, he was selected to work in Washington, D.C. as an intern for former United States Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ).
After earning his JD from Widener University, Billhimer returned to his hometown to establish his legal career. He began by serving as a law clerk to the Honorable Barbara Ann Villano, J.S.C., in Ocean County, gaining valuable insights into the judicial system. He then went on to work in the private sector, ultimately establishing his own criminal defense law practice.
In addition to his law career, Billhimer has actively contributed to the bar activities and community organizations. He has served as an adjunct professor, sharing his professional expertise with students. In 2018, Governor Murphy appointed Billhimer as the Ocean County Prosecutor, a position he assumed after being sworn in by the Honorable Marlene Lynch Ford, A.J.S.C.
New Jersey’s State Constitution intentionally designates a five-year term for county prosecutors, who are selected by the governor and approved by the state senate. This deliberate provision ensures that their tenure is not synchronized with the term of the governor who appointed them.
By setting a fixed term, the Constitution aims to provide continuity and independence to county prosecutors, allowing them to carry out their duties without undue influence from political changes or shifts in gubernatorial administrations.
Only a handful of Ocean County prosecutors have remained in the position for more than five years.
Marlene Lynch Ford, held the position from 2007 to 2013. After her tenure, she received a judicial appointment to the Superior Court and recently retired as the Ocean County Assignment Judge.
Several years prior to Ford, Edward Turnbach served as the Ocean County Prosecutor from 1976 to 1987, making him the second most recent prosecutor to hold the position for more than one term. He was appointed as a Superior Court Judge in 1987, serving until his retirement from the bench in 2006.
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