Celebrity hairstylist Martino Cartier seeks Gloucester County commissioner seat in New Jersey
Celebrity hairstylist Martino Cartier, 51, is running as a Republican candidate for Gloucester County commissioner in New Jersey. His campaign brings his public profile and community work into local politics, alongside a dispute over a past car-related conviction and criticism of a county official.
Cartier owns a salon in Washington Township and a foundation that supports women affected by cancer. He appeared on a 2008 reality television programme, has more than 25,000 Instagram followers and previously described being $300,000 in debt while keeping his salon afloat. He is campaigning against Jim Jefferson, Joann Gattinelli and Matthew Weng, and says he would seek to remove county administrator Stephen Sweeney; Cartier says he pleaded guilty to theft by deception over a car, repaid the money and that the matter was later administratively dismissed.
In short
- Martino Cartier is running for Gloucester County commissioner as a Republican.
- The hairstylist also runs a foundation supporting women affected by cancer.
- His campaign includes a dispute over a past car-related conviction.
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The case for
Cartier’s supporters could argue that his salon and foundation work give him practical experience with local needs, small businesses and community service, while his public profile may help draw attention to county issues. They may also see his willingness to discuss his conviction and repayment as evidence that voters can judge his record for themselves, and support his call to remove the county administrator as a case for change in county leadership.
The case against
Those sceptical of Cartier could argue that running a county requires relevant experience in public administration, and that celebrity and business success alone do not establish readiness for the role. They may also regard the car-related conviction as a legitimate matter for scrutiny when assessing trust and judgement, and question whether a campaign focused on removing the administrator offers a sufficiently clear account of how he would govern.
Explained simply
Gloucester County is a local government area in southern New Jersey. Its elected commissioners oversee county services and spending, while a county administrator manages day-to-day operations.
Martino Cartier owns a salon in Washington Township and runs a foundation supporting women affected by cancer. He is seeking office as a Republican, with Jim Jefferson, Joann Gattinelli and Matthew Weng also running for commissioner seats.
The campaign has drawn attention to Cartier’s public profile and community work, as well as questions about a past car-related conviction. Cartier says he pleaded guilty to theft by deception, repaid the money and that the matter was later administratively dismissed.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Flamboyant celebrity hairstylist who renamed himself Martino Cartier now running as GOP commissioner candidate”.