Morris Democrats Call for Dover Committee Resignations

County Executive Board outlines list of ethical violations during election cycle.

Mayor Dodd was included in the MCDC calls for DDC resignations. (Photo/Dover Municipal site)

By David Chmiel and Mariana Simioni

The Morris County Democratic Committee called for the resignation of every member of the Dover Town Municipal Democratic Committee, including Chair Maria Solines and Mayor James P. Dodd, for ethical violations of MCDC bylaws during the 2025 primary and general elections.

In a release, the MCDC Executive Board said it “determined that the Dover Committee’s actions represented a material breach of these obligations under Article II, Section 4, and with regard to the MCDC’s Anti-Harassment Policy. The Executive Board concluded that the Dover Committee and Chairwoman Solines engaged in activities directly contrary to MCDC’s bylaws and mission, including:

• Supporting and promoting opposing-party candidates instead of the officially endorsed Democratic nominees.

• Encouraging write-in candidates in multiple Dover municipal races in opposition to the endorsed Democratic candidates.

• Creating and circulating offensive and demeaning materials targeting an endorsed Democratic candidate, in violation of the MCDC Anti-Harassment Policy.”

The Executive Board has requested that all affected members, including Chairwoman Solines, resign immediately and refrain from seeking reinstatement for a period of two years. If they don’t resign by Monday, December 22, the Executive Board will start a formal removal process, consistent with MCDC bylaws, which will culminate in a countywide member vote at a special convention in January 2026. All members have the right to refute the charges.

MAYOR DODD INCLUDED

Mayor James P. Dodd was also included in the call for resignations over tactics that ran afoul of MCDC regulations. Mayor Dodd, a registered Democrat, endorsed GOP gubernatorial candidate Jack Cittarelli and regularly suggested during the run-up to the general election that he might switch parties.  

Darcy Draeger, Chair of the MCDC, also singled out Dover Mayor James P. Dodd, who selected the write-in candidates to run against Democratic Primary winners Daniella Mendez (First Ward), Judy Rugg (Second Ward), and Christopher Almada (Third Ward). Mendez, Rugg, and Almada won the November elections and will join the Council when it is reorganized on January 1, 2026. 

The list of DDC members includes Julia Amaya, Michelle Espada, Mafer Orrala, Jesus A. Torres, James P. Dodd, Claudio P. Toro, Thomas J. Incera, Thomas H. MacDonald, Antonio Acosta, Connie Acosta, Elva C. de Rodriguez, Victoria I. Pinalesdiaz, Thomas M. Hubert, Maureen E. McGrath, Maria F. Borda, Michael J. Scarneo, Maria S. Solines, James A. Visioli, Guadalupe Barrios, Cassandra Quintero, Fernando Barrios, Arturo B. Santana, Anna Marie Amaya, Washington J. Pro.

“Although he is both a Democratic county and municipal committee member, Mayor Jim Dodd organized a competing slate of write-in and Republican candidates after his hand-picked nominees lost the Democratic primary in June 2025, a violation of Article II, Section 4 of the MCDC bylaws,” she said. 

DDC Chair Maria Solines was included in the MCDC call for resignations. (Photo/Dover BOE)

FIGHTING MENDEZ ATTACKS

Draeger’s comments were especially critical of Dodd’s defamatory actions against Mendez. “He created and distributed materials and has made public statements, using offensive, intimidating, and demeaning language targeting Daniella Mendez, the MCDC-endorsed Democratic candidate and 2025 General Election winner, for Dover Ward 1, in violation of the MCDC Anti-Harassment Policy. And he publicly endorsed and advocated for Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli instead of supporting Mikie Sherrill, the endorsed Democratic gubernatorial candidate, also in violation of Article II, Section 4 of the MCDC Bylaws. As a result, we are asking for his resignation as a committee member. We are not going to ask him to resign as Mayor. He can still be an elected official.” 

Solines, DDC Municipal Chair and Dover Board of Education member, and DDC Municipal Recording Secretary Victoria Pinales, who is also a member of the DBOE, were spotted handing out the anti-Mendez fliers last Fall, before the election. 

Neither Mayor Dodd nor DDC Chair Solines responded to requests for comment on this story.

“I support the decision of the Morris County Democratic Committee Executive Board and commend them for acting to protect the integrity of our party and the democratic process in Dover, Mendez said. “When members of a municipal committee undermine endorsed Democratic candidates, support opposing parties, or engage in conduct that violates basic standards of respect, it erodes public trust and weakens democracy at the local level. Accountability in these moments is not about punishment; it is about preserving clarity, fairness, and confidence for voters.”

Mendez, who last year completed a three-year term as BOE President and focused on her Council run, said it’s time for a change in direction for the DDC. “This decision creates an opportunity to reset and rebuild a Democratic committee in Dover that is transparent, inclusive, and focused on serving the community rather than political power. Dover residents deserve a party that encourages participation, respects democratic outcomes, and holds itself to the same standards it expects of others. Moving forward, our focus must be on unity, rebuilding trust, and strengthening a local Democratic Party that reflects our values and works together for Dover’s future.”

First Ward Councilwoman Sandra Wittner, who was the DDC Vice Chair from 2018-23, welcomed the action. “I want to thank Chairwoman Darcy Draeger and the Morris County Democratic Committee for finally demanding accountability from the current Dover Democratic Committee,” she said. “Members of the DDC have long worked against good democratic candidates and disregarded basic human decency in their quest to hold onto power, at the expense of our community.

“I look forward to continuing to work alongside the MCDC to ensure strong democratic leadership across Morris County for the good of our residents,” she added. 

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is a developing story. Please check back on DOVERNOW.com for updates.