Barbara J. McMorrow is an American Republican Party politician from Freehold Township, New Jersey, who served as a Democrat on the Monmouth County, New Jersey Board of Chosen Freeholders between January 2007 and January 2010; she was the first Democrat elected to the Board in twenty years. She served as Director of the Board in 2009.
Barbara McMorrow is a lifelong resident of Monmouth County and grew up in the Wanamassa section of Ocean Township. She is a graduate of Asbury Park High School and Monmouth University.
After she retired as principal of Howell High School, Mrs. McMorrow served as an adjunct instructor at Brookdale Community College until her election as Freeholder. She also served as a councilwoman in the Borough of Freehold.
Mrs. McMorrow is the co-chair of the Governor's Teen Driving Study Commission, a group charged with finding ways to save teen lives. With a number of the recommendations before the New Jersey Legislature for action, she has testified in Trenton before the Senate Transportation Committee.
Mrs. McMorrow was the 2008/09 visiting Chair of Public Service at Monmouth University and conducted a number of seminars and lectures in that role. She is the first woman to hold that honor.
In September 2008, she was named one of "40 Who Make a Difference in Ocean and Monmouth Counties" by Gannett News and is the 2008 recipient of the NAACP of Greater Long Branch President's Community Service Award.[1]
Barbara McMorrow was elected to a three year term on the Board of Chosen Freeholders at the November 7, 2006 general election, and at the January 6, 2009 annual reorganization was chosen as Director, and served as Director through January 7, 2010 when she left the board. On March 26, 2009, citing health concerns, Director McMorrow announced that she would not seek election to a second term.[2]
As a freeholder, Mrs. McMorrow adopted a moderate stance on many issues, which often placed her at odds with her fellow Democrats on the Board, as well as with County and State Democratic Party leaders. After leaving the Board in 2010, she changed her party affiliation to Republican.[3]
On July 13, 2010, Freehold Township mayor Dorothy H. Avallone retired from her seat on the Township Committee. As a result, the local Republican Party Committee was charged under State Statute with nominating up to three persons to fill the vacancy. The Township Committee would then select one to fill the vacancy. Barbara J. McMorrow was chosen by the party, and is expected to be appointed as a member of the Township Committee on July 27.[4]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Lillian G. Burry |
Monmouth County Freeholder Director 2009 |
Succeeded by Lillian G. Burry |