Republicans Simonsen, McClellan say top priorities are tourism, school funding, flood maps
TRENTON — Assemblymen Antwan McClellan and Erik Simonsen, who were sworn in to their positions for the fourth time Jan. 13, ran their campaign on giving southern New Jersey a voice statewide.
The residents of Ocean City and Lower Township, respectively, said they have watched elected officials make decisions in the past that have caused more harm than good because of the lack of consideration for the people living in Cape May, Cumberland and southern Atlantic counties.
“The 120 of us have a lot more in common than we do different,” McClellan said. “Once we all sit down and get that common thread together, the state will be a better place. There are a lot of things we can do collectively. ”
Education is a topic both legislators prioritize, and they said they would like to see the state more consciously consider the local school systems.
Simonsen retired in 2025 as athletic director at Lower Cape May Regional High School after a 30-year career in education, prompting him to speak out for education.
“I’ve been in education for so long, and we’re looking to make improvements to help school districts make changes,” Simonsen said. “We’re in limbo. A lot of schools, especially in our district, are struggling, so we’re plugging forward on that to find other sources of funding.”
S-2, a bill passed in 2018, amended the School Funding Reform Act of 2008, which changed how state funding was allocated to New Jersey districts.
Gov. Phil Murphy has signed new legislation to offset the cuts made by S-2, but as of 2025, districts in many counties were still receiving less aid.
McClellan’s priorities also focus heavily on tourism. In 2024, Cape May County singularly generated more than $8 billion in direct tourism spending.
“It’s always tourism because it’s the lifeblood down here,” McClellan said.
They explained that it’s frustrating to see the money southern New Jersey generates from tourism not be distributed back into the communities.
“I’ll continue to make sure those tourism tax dollars come back to where they’re coming from,” McClellan said.
“We had huge issues with beach replenishment and the boardwalks,” Simonsen said. “It’s been a huge issue for places like North Wildwood who struggle to get the funding they need. If they want to keep taking our tourist dollars, they’ll need to fix that.”
Environmental
regulations
NJ PACT (Protecting Against Climate Threats) is a project high on the legislators’ priority list.
The statewide initiative launched during Murphy’s administration created environmental regulations meant to offset effects from sea-level rise, flooding and extreme weather.
The guidelines have been a point of contention for McClellan, Simonsen and state Sen. Mike Testa since their early days in office. They believe they are financially burdensome to shore communities.
“There’s no consideration given to the shore towns that have to build these structures dictated by the PACT,” McClellan said. “This is a big thing, so let’s work together to save our coasts so we can all prosper together.”
After Hurricane Sandy in 2012, houses in flood-mapped areas were required to be raised to qualify for flood insurance. PACT expands flood zones, requiring insurance where none was needed in the past.
“The expansion of flood maps makes no sense at all,” Simonsen said. “It’s one thing if you live in that area, you know you have to pay for it, but if you live out in the woods, they’ll have to get flood insurance now.”
Both men emphasized that ineffective regulations are made when local officials and community members are not consulted.
New state leadership
After six years under Murphy, the Republican assemblymen now are working under a new Democratic leader, Gov. Mikie Sherrill.
They are cautiously optimistic, saying their district did not have a sympathetic ear in Trenton under Murphy, and each expressed disagreement with some of Murphy’s final actions in office.
One of his final pieces of legislation was a $128 million spending bill that allocates about $20 million to the New York/New Jersey FIFA World Cup Host Committee for the implementation of promotional events.
“It felt like a step backwards with the amount of money Murphy gave to the World Cup, and it’s very disappointing,” McClellan said. “They should be providing funding to us, not seeking funding from us.”
They explained their frustration at seeing large sums of money given to a multimillion-dollar organization instead of being redirected to the state.
“That money can go to roads and infrastructure, and it seems like we’re dumping money into the wrong areas,” Simonsen said. “We’re paying a huge international money maker instead of helping out the municipalities, because it all comes back to the people who live here.”
The assemblymen are hesitant but hopeful for Sherrill. After six years, they empathized with the difficulty of stepping into a new role and creating new relationships.
“I hope that she leans on the legislators because a lot of us have been here,” Simonsen said. “She’s coming into a new position and can get a well-rounded opinion from all the members.”
They emphasized the importance of elected officials prioritizing New Jersey entirely and creating space for legislators to speak on the communities with which they’re familiar.
“She has opportunities to lay the groundwork and be a governor who makes a commitment to visit and listen to the people who live down here,” McClellan said. “Come down here, and listen and see how they can help.”
They explained that their position became easier when they established relationships with other legislators and learned that working together on issues helps accomplish more.
They’re eager to collaborate and share their experiences in New Jersey government as lifelong residents.
“You have to be optimistic,” Simonsen said. “She deserves a chance, and if she’s willing to come down and work with us and not just cater to one part of the state, then we’ll get things done.”
“I have faith, and it’ll take time for Gov. Sherrill to get her feet on the ground, and we hope we can be a part of that process to move things forward,” McClellan said.
– By JULIA DiGERONIMO/For the Sentinel
At top, Assemblymen Erik Simonsen and Antwan McClellan. (Photo provided)
