Ernest Coursey
The lone Democrat on the Atlantic County Board of County Commissioners has announced he will not seek re-election in the upcoming June Primary Election.
Ernest Coursey represents Atlantic County District 1, which includes Atlantic City, Ventnor, Margate and Longport.
“After careful consideration and discussion with my family and close friends, I have decided not to run for a fifth term of office due to health concerns,” Coursey said in a statement. “I wish to thank my constituents for the opportunity to represent them for the past 11 years. It has truly been an honor to serve the citizens and taxpayers of Atlantic County with pride and dignity.”
Coursey was hospitalized for a time last year.
The lifelong Atlantic City resident started his political career 34 years ago, when he became Atlantic City’s Third Ward councilman.
During his tenure on Atlantic City Council (1991-2002), he earned a reputation as being a “fighter and non-conformist” with his philosophy of “leadership and respect for the people,” he said.
He currently Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small's chief of staff.
In January 2002, Coursey became administrator for then-Mayor Lorenzo Langford. He also served as a staff assistant to former U.S. Sen. Robert Torricelli, worked on former Gov. James McGreevey’s Transition Committee, and was a commissioner for the South Jersey Transportation Authority.
Atlantic County Democratic Chairman Michael Suleiman said the news was “bittersweet.”
"Ernest Coursey has always stood up for everyday people throughout his distinguished career. His decades of public service have made Atlantic City and Atlantic County a better place to live, and his legacy will live on for decades to come,” Suleiman said in a press release.
Suleiman said he is saddened that Coursey decided not to continue as Atlantic County commissioner.
“As his friend, however, I am happy that Ernest is going to focus on his health. One's family and health are far more important than a political campaign.”
Suleiman said the Democrat Committee is working to identify a candidate to run in his place.
“Fortunately, we have a deep bench, and I look forward to working with these leaders to coalesce around a strong candidate," Suleiman said. "It's imperative that Ernest's successor will serve the residents of Atlantic County in the same honorable way that Ernest has for over a decade."
