Toms River Council Primary Election 2021: James Quinlisk

TOMS RIVER, NJ — With Primary Day for the 2021 general election coming up June 8, Patch is sharing profiles of the candidates for local office.

James Quinlisk is one of two candidates seeking to be the Republican nominee for the four-year seat representing Ward 3 on the Toms River Township Council on the Nov. 2 general election ballot.

Patch asked each candidate the same questions. Here are Quinlisk's answers.

Your name: James Quinlisk

Age: 54

Town of residence: Toms River

Position sought: Toms River Township Council Ward 3 representative

Party affiliation: Republican

Family: Wife, three stepsons and a daughter.

Education: Toms River High School East and Rider College

Occupation: Sales

Previous elective office, if any: Fire commissioner

Do you or anyone in your family work for the state, county or local governments? None

Why are you seeking office? As a volunteer firefighter, I believe in putting people first and that is what drives me. Public service and looking out for those in my community is my number one priority. On council, I will work to attract smart growth that generates commercial tax revenue and reduces the burden on homeowners. I will take on the Trenton Democrats to get our fair share of school aid and stand strong with our law enforcement and first responders who risk their lives for us.

What do you feel is the most pressing issue facing the community, and what do you want to do about it? Overdevelopment. Smart growth and strategic planning will help keep the town moving in the right direction, allowing the town to have the good ratables for income and keeping our taxes down.

As your councilman, I will fight Governor Murphy’s liberal policies to protect our quality of life. I am a conservative Republican and my opponent, Grace Piscopo, is a lifelong Democrat who just registered as a Republican in February to run in the Republican primary with former Phil Murphy running mate, Dan Rodrick, and his team. Voters deserve honesty and must be able to trust those they elect. We must continue to protect Toms River open space and prevent overdevelopment.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking to serve? As your councilman, I will fight Governor Murphy’s liberal policies to protect our quality of life. I am a conservative Republican and my opponent, Grace Piscopo, is a lifelong Democrat who just registered as a Republican in February to run in the Republican primary with former Phil Murphy running mate, Dan Rodrick, and his team. Voters deserve honesty and must be able to trust those they elect.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform. We must continue to protect Toms River open space and prevent overdevelopment.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you will be effective in office?
I am proud of my service to our community as a volunteer firefighter in Toms River. As a small business owner who installs ramps and lifts for people with mobility issues, I understand the burden that our seniors, families and small businesses have faced during the past year due to Gov. Murphy's draconian lockdown and restrictions. I want to use my background to provide a conservative voice for those residents.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions? I am not a career politician, and I never would have run in the past but with the change in GOP leadership here in town, I have a chance to make Toms River better, not my political career or for personal gain, but for the town.

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