2020 Cumberland County Freeholder Candidates
Darwin Cooper Jr.
Darwin Cooper Jr., is an African American who is an unapologetic Conservative.
As a lifelong resident of Cumberland County, he believes that our community is a gem and deserves leadership that fights for the residents of our county.
Darwin has donated his life to service in our county and that is why he is running for Cumberland County Freeholder. As a proud father and local business owner, he is not afraid to roll up his sleeves and get to work.
Mr. Cooper is a life member of the NRA and a member of the NAACP.
He believes that it is time to make Cumberland County a better place and knows that a single party control by the Democrats has been ignored far too long.
Darwin Cooper Jr. wants to change the status of Cumberland County being the only county in the state to not have a Parks and Recreation department, and will work tirelessly every day to see that this becomes a reality and not an idea that has been forgotten.
Darwin Cooper Jr. is ready to bring leadership to the Freeholder Board and will speak for the citizens when tough decisions need to be made instead of the rubber stamp that has been occurring in our county.
Victoria Lods
Victoria “Tori” Lods is a Vineland resident who not only grew up in Cumberland County, but also chose to work and raise a family here. Tori was raised on her family’s farm, “Victoria Farms,” in South Vineland by parents, Wayne and Valerie (Braidi) Groetsch.
Growing up, she attended Vineland Public Schools and is a Class of ’98 Vineland High School graduate. After high school, she went on to take advantage of one of our region’s finest assets, Cumberland County College where she graduated with an Associates Degree, and ultimately obtained a Bachelors Degree in Communications and Journalism from Rowan University.
She has spent the majority of her professional career using her talents in the Cumberland County community, and considers her career to be an evolution in public service. Tori previously served as a chief-of-staff to Senator Nick Asselta in the First Legislative District. She worked alongside the former Senator for years, helping to develop legislation and policies on central issues affecting Cumberland County residents; such as maximum state funding of our county’s school districts and stimulating local economic development.
She later became the first Executive Director for Cumberland County Habitat for Humanity building homes, raising funds and volunteer support for local families in need.
From there, Tori recognized the need to support the most treasured assets among us, our children, and has taken her passion for public service in a new direction as a public school educator in the City of Bridgeton where she teaches high school English at Bridgeton High School.
Tori has consistently worked to help and advocate for the people of Cumberland County. Each year Victoria Farms is committed to providing fresh produce to families in need during holiday time to help support the importance of family around the dinner table. She is also a member of the Greater Vineland NAACP. Tori has been incredibly active and committed to being the voice of practical solutions to the complex issues in Cumberland County, campaigning to represent the county as freeholder in 2017 and county clerk in 2019.
Tori is the mother of two young boys: John Henry and James. She and her husband, Michael, celebrate twelve years of marriage this year, and are members of St. Padre Pio Parish. Tori represents the fifth generation to call her family farm home. Together, they are raising their children and working to make sure Cumberland County is not only a place their young children can afford to live, but is a place they can flourish and be proud to call home in the future.
Antonio (Tony) Romero
Antonio (Tony) Romero is a proud Cuban American and has lived in Vineland for 54 years with his beautiful wife, Mari, and his 5 children. Tony arrived in America from Communist Cuba and he is very clear in his message that he will do everything he can to preserve the America that offered his parents and family refuge from the clutches of communism.
Antonio Romero will stand up for our Constitution, the New Jersey Constitution, and for Cumberland County as a Freeholder.
As a local business owner for the past 25 years in Vineland, Antonio (Tony) has seen first hand what happens when only one party rules in a county. He know that we need to cut the red tape restrictions that are onerous to people wanting to start or maintain their business, and stop adding policies that stifle business owners from growth and prosperity. The state and county have over-regulated the business community for too long.
Antonio Romero knows it is time for bold and fresh leadership in Cumberland County and is ready to serve as a Freeholder as the representative of the citizens of our county.