Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson has announced his plans to run for reelection this year. The Republican from Linwood has served as county executive since 2000 and has previously won reelection by some of the widest margins in county history.

“As I’ve said many times throughout my tenure, I am extremely proud to serve as the county executive of the finest run county in New Jersey.”

Atlantic County is widely recognized for its conservative fiscal policies, low debt, and stable tax rate. The county has continued to maintain the same top tier credit ratings from Standard & Poor’s (AA) and Moody’s Investors (Aa2) for numerous years as well as perfect audits by a series of independent external auditors for as many years as Levinson has been in charge.

“The accomplishments we’ve achieved did not occur in a vacuum,” stated Levinson. “They are the result of the hard work and dedication of our county workforce as well as the cooperation of our elected officials and community partners.”

Levinson also noted the county’s efforts to diversify the regional economy by utilizing the unique assets of the Federal Aviation Administration, the Atlantic City International Airport and our National Aerospace Research and Technology Park that was developed by the county.

“After 100 years of talking about diversifying the economy beyond hospitality and tourism, we did it! We took a risk and built the first building at the aviation park without any prospective tenants. That building is occupied by the FAA, NASA, General Dynamics, Thunderbolt and Woolpert Aviation, among others,” he said. “We now have growing interest from additional companies that see the opportunities and advantages of working in proximity to the FAA and the airport. As a result, we are clearing land for a 40,000 square foot second building and expect to break ground by the end of the year.”

According to Levinson, the county is working with the Atlantic County Economic Alliance and the NARTP to attract new businesses from around the country to locate here that will result in the creation of high quality, sustainable jobs.

Most recently, the NARTP was awarded a $2.25 million in federal funding to advance development and testing of autonomous devices that can perform recurring labor‐intensive activities on military and civilian airfields.

“We also have partnerships with Embry‐Riddle Aeronautical University, Rowan and Rutgers universities, Stockton and Atlantic Cape Community College. Aviation education and training programs are available at the Atlantic County Institute of Technology high school to help teach students about opportunities in this field, right here in Atlantic County. We don’t want our best and brightest to have to leave New Jersey to find lucrative careers.”

Levinson’s own family, including his wife, two sons and a daughter, all live in Atlantic County as do his seven grandchildren.

“I want to provide them with an affordable and desirable place to live for many years,” he said. “My goal has always been to put the best interests of the taxpayers first, and that is what I will continue to do.”

Levinson pointed to his fight for the taxpayers with the PILOT litigation. He explained that the state and the county agreed in a court of law to a Consent Order of Settlement in 2018. The state decided to change those terms with the adoption of the 2021 PILOT amendment under the guise of needing to help the casinos recover from the COVID‐19 pandemic. Levinson and the county went to court to fight the amendment. Three rulings were issued in the county’s favor but the state continues to appeal.

“All of this costs time and money, neither of which the state seems to have any concern for,” said Levinson. “We are without the benefit of nearly $10 million owed to us by the state over the past two years. As well as we are doing, imagine how much better our taxpayers could be with an additional $10 million.”

In addition to the aviation park, Levinson is equally proud of being the first county in the state to put defibrillators in every emergency vehicle that has saved hundreds of lives; making the Atlantic County Institute of Technology a comprehensive high school with a 100% graduation rate; bringing Stockton University to Atlantic City at no cost to the taxpayers; saving Boscov’s Egg Harbor Township department store and 200 jobs, also accomplished at no cost to the taxpayers; and establishing the state’s first Medication Assistance Treatment program to help address opioid addiction among county jail inmates, break the cycle of addiction and reduce recidivism.

County Executive Levinson admittedly loves his job and hopes to continue in his position.

“I have been a good and productive employee who has helped move Atlantic County forward, but my work is not yet done. I trust our residents will vote to rehire me so we can achieve even more and provide an Atlantic County that future generations will be proud to call home.”