Works as a dentist. When she isn’t treating patients Joeigh can be found spending time on the many community service and volunteer organizations she is involved with. Since 2019 she has been a member of the Tri-County Rotary and has participated in many of the community service events; including Loads of Love, a project started by the club to help community members afford their cost of doing laundry.

She also worked with the club to put on a small free dental clinic in 2021. For these efforts she was recognized by the Regional Rotarian Governor in 2021. The following year Joeigh was awarded the Business Professional Award at the Millville Chamber of Commerce Pride of Millville event.

When asked what makes Dr. Perella the most qualified candidate for Commissioner at the Candidates Forum held at Bridgeton High School, the Dr. spoke about how their involvement in their dentistry practice gives them access to many perspectives learned from their patients. This angle helps keep their 'ear to the ground' regarding county issues.

When asked how to manage the county budget, Perella spoke about leveraging grant money from the state. They also spoke about how the lack of funding in the county led to the closure of a fire hall in Upper Deerfield.

When asked from an audience member about gun violence at schools, Perella made it clear that they did not support armed security in the schools because the data shows it doesn't work and then referenced a story in Florida about how an armed security guard did not engage a shooter. The reference to the Florida incident was contested by the audience member, where the audience member claimed it was against the Florida school's policy to engage, implying that an armed guard could have prevented the incident if policy had allowed.

Full Youtube Interview

Summarized/Paraphrased Q&A

To note: A "general discussion point" is a summarized part of the video that might not have come from a direct question and answer format, but part of a tangent or general discussion.


1. Host: What does a county commissioner do?

Perella: Oversees administrative system, county court system, sheriff’s department, administer county roads, department of health, veterans affairs. In Cumberland county they used to be called freeholders.


2. Host: Would you say that the commissioner’s board is like a mini senate?

Perella: It's more of an executive function. Executive functions have been delegated to the commissioner’s board through the state. “Very important stuff.”


3. Host: What made you decide to run for office?

Perella: Lived here my whole life. Helped shape me into the person I am today, so I want to give back to the community. We have a lot of issues, so I want to be part of those solutions.


4. Host: How does the fact that Cumberland County being not only the poorest county in the state, but also poorer than parts of Appalachia, factor into your campaign’s platform?

It informs everything that my platform is based around. We have some of the highest child poverty rate’s in the state. Our health outcomes and life expectancy are the lowest in the state. It helps create a blueprint of priorities. We have a lack of investment, we are a forgotten community. I want to protect our rural identity, but I don’t want that to prevent us from prospering.


5. Host: As a commissioner, would you be in contact with the federal government, or more with the state government to get resources to the county?

Perella: Both. As a county commissioner you have to be an advocate or cheerleader for your own community. We have to put in the work to get grants and loans. There is an overwhelming amount of districts in the state, so we need to have a loud voice to persuade other legislators to invest here.


6. General discussion point: Bridgeton has become a food desert, despite the fact that the county has an abundant agriculture industry… yet we don’t necessarily supply that food to our own residents. We have made some progress in this area recently, but we definitely have more work to do.


7. Host: What are the political demographics of Cumberland County?

Perella: These are the raw numbers - 38,000 registered independents. 33,000 registered democrats. 23,000 registered republicans. So while one might assume the county leans blue/left, it has actually been leaning right in terms of election results. A lot of this depends on voter turnout… Can you get your registered voters to actually vote? From 2020 to 2022, voter turnout went from 70-75 percent to 32 percent.


8. Host: What do you think the implications of this race will be?

Perella: People are comfortable with it being a blue state. However, we’re always only 2 elections away from losing that. So in this year, the entire state senate and general assembly is up for election. We want to protect our legislative majorities.


9. Host: What is the current makeup of the commissioner’s board?

Perella: 4 are republican, 3 are democrat. The 3 democrat seats are up for grabs, so they could all potentially flip to republican.


10. Host: How does your profession as a dentist relate to your campaign?

Perella: While there isn’t a direct comparison, seeing patients daily gives me an opportunity to have an ear to the ground to what’s going on in the community and know the current issues constituents are facing.


11. Host: If the republicans take control of either the state senate or general assembly, what might be the results?

Perella: In the short term, we would have a split government. Possible political gridlock. Progress and work for the budget and legislation would stop because they would be arguing all the time. And in time, if republicans take control of the state senate, general assembly, and the governorship, we could lose our social safety net. We need investment in broadband infrastructure, more public water and sewer access… we can’t afford these things on our own.


12. General discussion point: Bayshore is affected by climate change. It haad a lot of flooding damage due to Hurricane Sandy.