2017 Atlantic City mayoral election

The 2017 Atlantic City mayoral election was held on November 7, 2017 to elect the Mayor of Atlantic City, New Jersey. Primary elections were held on June 6. Incumbent Republican Don Guardian lost re-election to a second term to Democratic city councilman Frank Gilliam.

2017 Atlantic City mayoral election

November 7, 2017

Nominee Frank Gilliam Don Guardian Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 4,220 2,824 Percentage 57.68% 38.60%

Mayor before election Don Guardian Republican Elected Mayor Frank Gilliam Democratic

Republican primary

Candidates

On March 18, the Atlantic City Republican County Committee endorsed Don Guardian for Mayor, with him receiving 5 votes, Joseph Polillo 2 votes, and three members not voting.[1] Subsequently, Polillo dropped out of the primary and decided to continue running for Mayor as an independent.[2]

Declared

• Don Guardian, incumbent Mayor[3]

Withdrawn

• Joseph Polillo, retired license inspector and perennial candidate (running as an independent)[4][2]

Results

Republican primary results[5][6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Donald A. Guardian	359	99.17
	Republican	Write-In	3	0.83
Total votes			362	100

Democratic primary

Candidates

On April 3, the Atlantic City Democratic Committee endorsed Frank Gilliam for Mayor, with him receiving 27 votes, Marty Small 3 votes, and Fareed Abdullah 1 vote.[7]

Declared

• Fareed Abdullah, substitute teacher and candidate for City Council in 2009 and 2013[8]
• Frank Gilliam, City Councilman[9]
• Marty Small, City Council President[10]
• Jimmy Whitehead, Navy veteran[11]

Results

Despite narrowly losing the primary day voting to Small by a count of 1,529–1,429, Gilliam was in the lead overall thanks to a substantial advantage on absentee ballots (694–209).[12] Small sought a recount, which was granted by a state Superior Court judge.[13][14] However, little changed in the recount and the result was upheld.[15]

Democratic primary results[5][6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Frank M. Gilliam, Jr.	2,147	49.31
	Democratic	Marty Small, Sr.	1,775	40.77
	Democratic	Jimmy Whitehead	262	6.02
	Democratic	Fareed Abdullah	169	3.88
	Democratic	Write-In	1	0.02
Total votes			4,354	100

Independents and third parties

Declared

• Henry "Hank" Green (Green), radio show host and producer[16]
• Joseph Polillo (Independent), retired license inspector and perennial candidate[2]

General election

Results

Atlantic City mayoral election, 2017[17][18]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Frank M. Gilliam, Jr.	4,220	57.68
	Republican	Donald A. Guardian	2,824	38.60
	Polillo's Last Stand	Joseph J. Polillo	150	2.05
	Green	Henry A. Green	120	1.64
	Write-in	Personal Choice	2	0.03
Total votes			7,316	100

References

1. Hetrick, Christian (March 20, 2017). "Atlantic City Republicans endorse Guardian for mayor". The Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved April 16, 2017.
2. Hetrick, Christian (April 3, 2017). "Polillo to run as Independent in Atlantic City mayor's race". The Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved April 16, 2017.
3. Hetrick, Christian (March 16, 2017). "Atlantic City Mayor Guardian launches re-election campaign". The Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved April 16, 2017.
4. Hetrick, Christian (March 9, 2017). "Polillo jumps into Atlantic City mayor's race". The Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved April 16, 2017.
5. "Primary Election Results - June 6, 2017" (PDF). Office of the Atlantic County Clerk. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
6. "June 2017 Primary Election Results (unofficial totals)". Office of the Atlantic County Clerk. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
7. Hetrick, Christian (April 3, 2017). "A.C. Democrats back Gilliam for mayor". The Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved April 16, 2017.
8. Hetrick, Christian (January 13, 2017). "Fareed Abdullah enters Atlantic City mayor race". The Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved April 16, 2017.
9. Hetrick, Christian (February 21, 2017). "Gilliam announces candidacy for Atlantic City mayor". The Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved April 16, 2017.
10. Hetrick, Christian (January 12, 2017). "Small announces candidacy for Atlantic City mayor". The Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved April 16, 2017.
11. Hetrick, Christian (April 7, 2017). "Whitehead begins campaign for Atlantic City mayor". The Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved April 16, 2017.
12. DeRosier, John (June 7, 2017). "Gilliam defeats Small, will take on Guardian in AC mayoral race". The Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved June 8, 2017.
13. Hetrick, Christian (June 12, 2017). "Small Seeks Recount in Atlantic City Mayoral Primary". Observer. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
14. "Judge Orders Recount of Votes in Atlantic City Mayor's Race". Insider NJ. June 16, 2017. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
15. Rosenberg, Amy S. (June 19, 2017). "Vote-by-mail recount changes little in A.C. mayoral primary". philly.com. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
16. Serpico, Erin (October 5, 2017). "Meet the other Atlantic City candidates for mayor". The Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
17. "General Election - November 7, 2017" (PDF). Office of the Atlantic County Clerk. Retrieved November 18, 2017.
18. "November 2017 General Election Results (unofficial totals)". Office of the Atlantic County Clerk. Retrieved November 18, 2017.