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Douglas Albrecht

Doug Albrecht is the longest-serving member of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners and one of two Republican incumbents running unopposed in the 2025 primary. His longstanding experience and familiarity with county operations make him a key figure in ongoing policy conversations—from budget negotiations to infrastructure projects.

Recently, Albrecht distinguished himself by participating in a one-hour radio interview with InformTheVoteNJ, offering substantive answers on complex county matters such as the Nabb Avenue Extension and the Middle Mile Broadband initiative. Rather than relying on vague talking points, Albrecht addressed direct and sometimes uncomfortable questions with a level of candor that many voters rarely get to hear—especially from candidates not facing primary opposition. His willingness to participate in that format, and this early in the election cycle, reflects a notable commitment to transparency.

At the same time, it's worth acknowledging a shift in one of the more consistent venues for Republican visibility: the bi-weekly GOP breakfasts. During my process for nearly two years, these gatherings operated as semi-formal, civic-minded meetings open to Democrats, independents, and members of the press. But following public critique of transparency issues in a local race, it was recently announced that press and Democrats would no longer be welcome. While the meetings still serve as a regular touchpoint for Republican insiders, this change narrows public access to candidates like Albrecht—making direct interviews and open forums even more important for reaching a broader audience.

Despite that shift, Albrecht has taken initiative. In a political environment where many campaigns remain vague or inaccessible, his participation in a long-form discussion helped unlock clarity on long-standing county projects and challenges. Voters may still have questions—but at least with Albrecht, they’re getting real answers early on with plenty of time until November to make the full picture clear.

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Rating Explanation

Douglas Albrecht

Douglas Albrecht is a two-term incumbent seeking a third term on the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners. He remains highly visible—attending GOP breakfasts, engaging at county events, and hosting a weekly radio show. His Republican Party bio mentions involvement in issues like public health, literacy, income inequality, taxation, and tourism, as well as infrastructure projects like the county park system.

On Monday 5/10, we did a radio interview on his weekly show to have an extended discussion to clarify his campaign messaging. This is a significant positive step, though one limited by the format and timing.

Albrecht stands apart from less engaged candidates through his regular presence and willingness to acknowledge real problems.

Given his access, experience, and community presence, Albrecht is well-positioned to not only offer a fully informed reelection case, he is uniquely positioned to help inform the public at large what is going on in county-level politics because it is our understanding that he is the longest serving commissioner. That knowledge could help voters cut through potential noise and help make meaningfully informed voting choices. At present, he receives an “above average” transparency rating, with the potential to reach the top tier by simply putting the extent of his knowledge out there so the county can clearly look it over when the general election comes in November.

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Douglas A. Albrecht

Running for:
Cumberland County Commissioner
Incumbent
Challenger

Websites

This election is on June 10th, 2025

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2025 InformTheVoteNJ Interview With Douglas Albrecht



📋 Click here for full interview summary 📋

In this 55-minute radio interview, Commissioner Doug Albrecht joins InformTheVoteNJ.com's Steven Solof for a wide-ranging conversation about his re-election campaign, the current state of county affairs, and long-term priorities. Although the Cumberland County Regular Republican Organization provides a platform bio outlining some of Albrecht’s stances, he does not have a dedicated campaign website. This interview is intended to go deeper—giving voters a chance to hear him explain his work in his own words.

Fiscal Responsibility and Measurable Results:
Albrecht discusses key strategies like holding the line on taxes for three consecutive years while highlighting improvements in public health rankings and infrastructure upgrades across the county.

Modernization and Emergency Response:
The conversation touches on efforts to stabilize core county functions, expand broadband access in rural areas, and respond to public emergencies effectively. Projects like the Middle Mile fiber initiative and South Ave Culvert are explored in detail.

Transparency and Public Communication:
Steven introduces the idea of a quarterly report to help bridge the information gap between elected officials and residents. Albrecht agrees this could improve public understanding and address the challenge of under-communicated government work.

Civic Engagement and Education:
Albrecht emphasizes the importance of teaching local civics in schools, instilling a deeper sense of pride in community participation and awareness of how county government impacts daily life.

Final Thoughts:
Whether you're lightly engaged or ready to go down the rabbit hole, this interview offers a rare, direct window into the mindset and leadership style of one of Cumberland County’s long-serving commissioners. It's a valuable listen for anyone curious about what’s being done—and what could still be improved—in county government.



⏳ Click to view timestamps, topics, and takeaways ⏳

Interview Summary – Douglas Albrecht

This table highlights the key topics covered in the interview, summarizing major takeaways per section.

Timestamp Topic Key Takeaways
0:00 Intro & InformTheVoteNJ.com Albrecht introduces the show and Steven Solof. Steven explains how InformTheVoteNJ.com began and why it's important to create an accessible hub for campaign information.
11:45 Albrecht's Race & Role of the Interview Albrecht explains that he’s unopposed in the primary and appreciates this opportunity for direct voter Q&A, since campaign materials often leave out key context.
12:45 Incumbent Logic & “If It Ain’t Broke” Framing Discussion opens on Albrecht’s accomplishments: 3 years without a tax increase, improved health rankings (from 21st to 20th), 7 of 8 union contracts settled to retain staff, legacy lawsuit settlements, jail workforce stabilization, and Sheriff Donato’s regional partnerships. Teamwork during county emergencies like fires and infrastructure failures is also highlighted. South Ave Culvert project is used to explain bureaucratic delays and unintended community benefits.
26:15 Nabb Avenue Extension Project Albrecht outlines the economic potential of the Nabb Ave extension. He supports using incentives instead of eminent domain. Project planning is done, but progress is stalled after federal earmarks were withdrawn.
32:45 Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Explanation of the fiber ring project designed to improve rural internet access. County missed applying for “end mile” grants. Project is currently stalled due to lack of prioritization among commissioners, despite regional examples of progress in Salem County and Vineland.
40:00 Transparency: Quarterly Report Idea Steven proposes a digestible quarterly report to improve public awareness. Albrecht agrees more should be done to share progress and acknowledges the tendency to focus on internal work without promoting it outwardly.
46:00 Advanced Manufacturing Grant for CCTEC New grant secured with help from Senator Testa. Albrecht shares a personal story of a former employee who would benefit from such a program, reinforcing the value of practical education and workforce alignment.
48:15 Increase in County Ratables (Taxable Property Value) Albrecht explains that the total taxable property value in Cumberland County increased by $1 billion in the past year. He frames this as a sign of strong local economic growth and emphasizes that this allows for expanded revenue without raising taxes—provided spending remains disciplined.
49:45 Local Civics Education & Youth Engagement Albrecht supports teaching civics more deeply in schools and reflects on his early experiences with political education. Emphasizes the importance of local government and civic pride in shaping functional communities.


Transparency/Accessibility Rating: Above Average



Events



Agenda

  • Fiscal Management: As a new member of the county Finance Committee, Albrecht is focused on reducing the tax burden using his business acumen.


  • Library and Literacy: Oversaw the largest renovation of the Cumberland County Library in 40 years; advocates using it as a tool to combat illiteracy.


  • Tourism & Recreation: Supports developing a comprehensive county park system centered around the 170-acre County Fairgrounds with trails and natural spaces.


  • Tourism Push: Recognizes the challenges in boosting Cumberland tourism but remains active in the Tourism Council.


  • Commonsense Solutions: Promotes pragmatic, data-informed strategies to improve county rankings in health, literacy, and income.

Issues

  • County Jail Debacle: Criticized a $65M bonded jail project that was abandoned after $16M was spent with no valid contracts in place. Frustrated by bureaucratic delays and a lack of transparency.


  • Juvenile Detention Center: Opposes plans to shut it down, arguing against outsourcing juvenile services to other counties.


  • Elections: Concerned about the cost of implementing state-mandated election changes, believes financial burden should not fall on local taxpayers.


  • Environmental Regulations: Claims the NJDEP places unfair constraints on Bayshore communities and local industries.


  • Public Safety & Taxation: Proud that under Republican leadership, the county hasn't raised taxes in two years.

Experience

  • Education: B.A. in Political Science and Economics (University of Maryland), M.B.A. (Rowan University)


  • Professional: President and manager of Bob Albrecht Tire & Service, a family-owned business in Vineland


  • Public Service:
    • Vineland City Council (2008–2012), liaison to Electric Utility, Planning Board, and Urban Enterprise Zone


    • Former Director of Vineland Downtown Improvement District


    • Current member of several county councils and committees (Library, Elections, Bayshore, Tourism, Recreation, Finance)