Hamilton Councilman Ed Gore announced yesterday he is resigning from his seat on the council to return to his previous job as a township public defender.
In a statement, Gore said he decided to resign after meeting with Mayor Kelly Yaede and Business Administrator John Ricci to discuss Hamilton’s need for an additional public defender due to the state’s new bail reform measures.
“Due to my passion for the justice system and my former experience as our public defender, we discussed my interest in returning to service in this area,” Gore said.
Gore, a Republican who served on the council since 2010, added he was unlikely to seek reelection in November. He said resigning now gives his party ample time to find a replacement candidate.
“Not only am I excited and eager to return to this area of public service, but I also feel that I am providing a better opportunity for another qualified individual—whomever he or she may be—to enjoy the same opportunity that I enjoyed in serving on the township council,” he said.
Before being elected to the township council, Gore served on the Hamilton School Board from 1994 to 1997. He attended Anthony’s High School and received a bachelor’s degree from Saint Joseph’s University, a master’s from Rider University and a law degree from Rutgers University.
Gore thanked Yaede, his fellow council members and the citizens of Hamilton for their support, trust and giving him an opportunity to serve them.
“It was a unique opportunity to make a positive difference for my community that I have truly cherished,” he said. “And which was only surpassed in terms of personal satisfaction by my tenure of service as our community’s public defender.”
