Statement on Joe Howarth from Sean Earlen, Burlington County Republican Committee Chairman:

“Following Senator Dawn Addiego’s announcement last week that she was abandoning her principles to become a Democrat, Assemblyman Joe Howarth cut off all contact with me and other Republican leaders in an apparent attempt to join Senator Addiego in defecting. 

After finally speaking with Joe, and weighing his words and his actions against contrary evidence, I consulted with other party leaders and arrived at the indisputable fact that Joe Howarth no longer deserves party support. 

“At a time when Phil Murphy and Trenton Democrats are crushing Burlington County residents with their tax and spend policies, we need champions who will prioritize the plight of their constituents over their own political self-preservation. I have informed Joe Howarth that the Burlington County Republican Committee cannot in good conscience support his bid for reelection. While it is up to Joe to decide if he will continue to serve out the remainder of his term, his time as a candidate supported by our organization is over.”