Lincoln Day Dinner Observations

By Art Gallagher

A happy enthusiastic crowd of over 600 people filled the Shore Casino in Atlantic Highlands. The event was scheduled to start with a cocktail hour at 6PM. When I arrived at 6:05 the house was already 3/4 full.

Volunteers for each Monmouth County legislative delegation were collecting signatures for their slates primary petitions. The 12th district team was asking for signatures from out of district residents as a preparation for redistricting surprises. A scenario that puts Highlands in the 12th legislative district is hard to imagine, but I was happy to sign for Beck, Casagrande and O’Scanlon.

Freeholder Lilian Burry’s team was collecting signatures.

Freeholder candidates Andrew Lucas and George Newberry were working the room and handing out palm cards. I heard Gary Rich was present but I didn’t seem him. Lucas and Newburry are organized and have teams supporting them. Lucas appeared to be more at ease in a competitive environment than Newberry did. That’s to be expected, as Lucas has done this before and Manalapan elections are usually competitive. Wall elections are rarely competitive.

One big surprise in the Freeholder race is Claire French’s name on Newberry’s palm card as Chair Person of his committee. French usually goes out of her way to stay out of intra-party contests. She told MMM that she strongly believes in Newberry whom she has known for many years.

So far Jim Giannell, the former Red Bank and Two Rivers group chairman, does not appear to have a horse in the Freeholder race. Giannell has been an organizing whip in the last several Freeholder nomination races.

The biggest surprise of the night was the sight of the leadership of the Bayshore Tea Party Group sitting at Senator Joe Kyrillos’ table. That’s a relationship/alliance to watch.

Congressman Chris Smith’s appearance was a nice surprise.

Scott and Tracy Sipprelle made the drive from Princeton looking refreshed and wind burned from a recent skiing vacation. Sipprelle told MMM that he is not likely to seek elective office again, but will be active in supporting candidates. He said he attended the dinner to reacquaint with his friends and supporters from his CD 12 congressional race last year.

Former congressional candidates Diane Gooch (CD-6) and Mike Halfacre (CD-12) presences were apparent but neither aggressively worked the room. Anna Little (CD-6) worked the room, stopping at every table under the watchful eye of her campaign manager Larry Cirignano.