Joseph LaBarbera, chairman of the Sussex County Republican Committee, was arrested on Sept. 12 after police allege he pointed a handgun during a road‑rage incident. He faces multiple charges, including possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes and aggravated assault by pointing a firearm, and pleaded not guilty before his release on Sept. 14. Local Republican leaders have asked him to "step aside" while the legal process continues. The article also notes broader state data showing New Jersey ranks high in reported road‑rage incidents.
Sussex County GOP Chair Arrested After Alleged Road-Rage Incident; Local Officials Urge Him To Step Aside
Joseph LaBarbera, chairman of the Sussex County Republican Committee, was arrested on Sept. 12 after state police say he pointed a handgun during an alleged road‑rage confrontation with another motorist.
According to the New Jersey State Police, LaBarbera left the scene after the incident but was later located by Sussex County police at a nearby restaurant. He was detained and charged with several counts, including second‑degree possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes; fourth‑degree aggravated assault by pointing a firearm; third‑degree endangering the welfare of a child; and fourth‑degree unjustified display of a firearm.
Local GOP leaders respond. Following the arrest, several local Republican officials — including State Senator Parker Space, Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia and Assemblyman Michael Inganamort, together with five Republican Sussex County commissioners — issued a statement to the New Jersey Globe urging LaBarbera to "step aside." The statement said the vice chair, Billy Marotta, should temporarily lead the county committee while the legal matter is resolved.
"For the good of the party, we believe the chairman should focus on this serious legal and personal matter, step aside, and allow the vice chair to temporarily lead the party and let the county committee make the best long‑term decision."
LaBarbera, 50, was released from Morris County Jail on Sept. 14 after pleading not guilty. He was elected Sussex County GOP chair in 2023 following the resignation of Jerry Scanlan and first became active in county politics in 2019.
Context: Road Rage And Safety
New Jersey is frequently cited in analyses of road‑rage incidents. A ConsumerAffairs report referenced in state analyses ranked New Jersey fifth nationwide for road‑rage incidents and noted that aggressive or careless driving contributes significantly to fatal crashes in the state. While incidents involving firearms in traffic are relatively rare by some measures, confrontations on the road can rapidly escalate and create serious danger.
What drivers should remember: remain calm, avoid escalation, put distance between yourself and an aggressive driver when possible, and contact law enforcement rather than confronting others.
All allegations are pending in court. LaBarbera has pleaded not guilty and the legal process is ongoing.
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