McCullough succeeded Senator William Gormley, who announced in January 2007 that he would not seek reelection to the State Senate. Gormley had indicated that he will support District 2 Assemblyman Francis J. Blee as his successor, and Gormley stepped down on February 15, 2007. Despite Gormley's endorsement McCullough defeated Blee for the interim spot.[4]
McCullough served in the Senate on the Labor Committee and the Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee.[2]
McCullough has served on the Egg Harbor Township Committee and has been mayor of Egg Harbor Township since 1996, in addition to mayoral stints in 1986 and from 1988 to 1992. He was a member of the township's Planning Board since 1996 (and also in 1986 and from 1988 to 1992). McCullough served as Municipal Utilities Authority Commissioner 2000-06 and on the Zoning Board from 1976 to 1980.[2]
McCullough lives in the Seaview Harbor section of the township. He and his wife Georgene, have four sons, Jim, George, William (Sonny) and Sean, and five grandchildren.[5]
^Fitzgerald's Legislative Manual, 1984, p. 226. Accessed October 28, 2019. "James J. (Sonny) Mccullough, Rep., Egg Harbor Twp.... The senator was born Jan. 11, 1942, in Atlantic City. He graduated from Atlantic City High School in 1960, and has completed certification courses at Rutgers University and taken classes at Rowan University and Rider College."
^Tamari, Jonathan. "Beck wins; Dems control both houses", Asbury Park Press, November 6, 2007. Accessed November 6, 2007. "Democrats, however, won two Senate seats in other traditionally Republican districts with victories by Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew, D-Cape May, and Assemblyman Jim Whelan, D-Atlantic, who ousted Sen. Nicholas Asselta, R-Cumberland, and Sen. James Sonny McCullough, R-Atlantic."
