Introduction
Aaron A. Thompson
Aaron A. Thompson served one term as Mayor of Camden, from 1990 to 1993. He replaced Melvin “Randy” Primas.
Upon election as Mayor, Aaron Thompson made a good faith effort to stand up for the people of the city against the influence of political power broker George Norcross. His resistance effectively sidelined him for much of his term. When the next election came around, he was replaced by the more compliant and thoroughly corrupt Arnold Webster, who later pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud charges. Webster illegally paid himself $20,000 in school district funds after he became mayor.
Aaron A. Thompson passed away in March of 2019 and was buried at Sunset Memorial Park in Pennsauken, New Jersey.
Thompson endorsed by firefighters
Camden Courier-Post —
AARON THOMPSON …dumped by Democrats
Thompson endorsed by firefighters
By KEVIN RIORDAN, Courier-Post Staff
CAMDEN — A fraternal organization of city firefighters has endorsed Mayor Aaron Thompson's bid for re-election.
“The mayor has moved the city forward,” Frank McGuckin, president of Local 5 of the Fireman's Mutual Benevolent Association, said during a City Hall press conference Monday.
He cited the construction of a new fire station at Broadway and Liberty Street and the purchase of new fire equipment and said, “Mayor Thompson has demonstrated his ability to stand up to the political bossism of (county Democratic Party chairman) George Norcross III. The mayor will not cave in to political pressure.”
Thompson has been dumped by the city Democrats, who have endorsed schools Superintendent Arnold Webster in the June 8 Democratic primary. Other candidates are Charles Ashley, Joseph Carroll, and Dwayne Davis. Republican candidates are Ella Hilton, Geraldine Ratleff and Keith Walker.
The mayor said he did not receive his party's endorsement because he resisted efforts by Norcross and others to interfere in city affairs. Norcross has long maintained that he does not involve himself in such matters, and has described Thompson's administration as “embarrassing.”
Thompson said he welcomed the endorsement from the 45-member organization — the first his re-election campaign has received.
Obituary
Camden Courier-Post —
Aaron A. Thompson
CAMDEN - Aaron A. Thompson, 88, former Mayor of Camden, passed on March 17, 2019. A viewing will be held Friday 4-8pm at Carl Miller Funeral Home, 831 Carl Miller Blvd., Camden. Services will be held 11am Saturday at St. Augustine's Episcopal Church, Broadway & Royden St., Camden where the viewing will be from 9-10:45am. Interment: Sunset Memorial Park.
Aaron A. Thompson