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Asbury Park Mayor John Moor has switched his political affiliation from unaffiliated to Democrat, according to the local Democratic Organization Chair Giuseppe Grillo.

“In a city where Democrats outnumber Republicans by more than 6 to 1, it’s only fitting that the mayor of Asbury Park affiliates himself with the progressive and inclusive values that make Asbury Park the premier destination city in New Jersey,” Grillo said. “Asbury Park gave Hillary Clinton her largest margin of victory in Monmouth County, 82% to 14%, even though the rest of the County voted for 52% to 43% for Donald Trump.

Moor, a city resident since the 1970s, declined comment on the party affiliation switch, saying he sees the switch as a non story. He did confirm that he was a member of the Democratic party for many years.

“I was the Democratic Committeeman for District 9 in the 1980s and 90s years,” he said.

While Moor [at right] confirmed periods of being a registered Republican, his switch to an unaffiliated registered voter came in 2014. He was a vocal supporter of Republican Freeholder Tom Arnone reelection bid in the November race and has gone on record with his support for Democrat Phil Murphy’s bid for the 2017 Gubernatorial race.

“Asbury Park is a nonpartisan community,” said Moor, who has been the highest vote getter in his bids for Council and Mayor. He did say that his support is based on a candidate’s record and policy rather than party affiliation.

A voter must be a registered Democrat or Republican in order to cast ballots in primary races.

Moor has lived in Asbury Park for over 35 years with his wife Vera. He retired as deputy director of the city’s public maintenance department after 31 years of service and has spent a lifetime volunteering his time to the community; serving 12 years on the Asbury Park Board of Education, as a commissioner of the Asbury Park Housing Authority, a trustee of the Asbury Park Historical Society, and a member of the Asbury Park Fishing Club.

He was first elected to the Asbury Park City Council in 2013 and elected mayor following the 2014 change of government.

“We welcome Mayor Moor back to the Democratic Party and look forward to working closely with him in the years ahead,” said Vin Gopal, Monmouth County Democratic Chair.

Moor’s party affiliation shift means the City Council now has four registered Democrats – Moor, Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn, and Council members Yvonne Clayton and Jesse Kendle. Councilwoman Eileen Chapman is registered as an unaffiliated voter.

Asbury Park has 3,154 registered Democrats, 2,998 registered Unaffiliated, 500 registered Republicans, 7 registered Libertarians and 6 registered Green.

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