Bennett Announces For Monmouth GOP Chair
John Bennett
Former Senate President John O. Bennett, III announced his candidacy for Monmouth County Republican Chairman this afternoon. The following letter is being mailed to members of the Monmouth County Republican Committee:
I wanted to reach all of you as soon as possible after the Governor’s nomination of our County Chair, Joseph Oxley, to the Monmouth County Superior Court. Joe has served our County and Party well and will be an excellent Judge. As a result of his appointment, a new County Chair will need to be elected at our County Reorganization Meeting to be held on June 12, 2012, at the Colts Neck High School at 7:00 pm. I would like you to support me to fill that vacancy. I would consider the position of County Chair to be both an honor and a capstone to a very fulfilling political career.
I have been in public service for over 30 years, and I believe my extensive experience and background will serve the County Committee well. You will find a short resume enclosed that highlights my political life from Chairman of the Young Republicans of Monmouth County to my current position of Treasurer of the New Jersey Republican State Committee.
A few points that I wanted to share with you which I feel are important for our party.
1) I believe in the County Convention System for candidate selection.
2) Every effort should be made to fill as many county Committee slots as possible.
3) A working set of bylaws will be established within 60 days of my becoming County Chair.
4) I pledge to forego all County legal work during my term as chair. My daughter, Meghan Bennett Clark, Esq., is currently the First Assistant County Counsel, and has agreed to resign immediately upon my selection as Chair.
5) Neither I, nor any member of my law firm, will take any paid appointments from the County during my term as Chair. The perception of any conflicts must be removed, and no County chair should be employed by the County in any capacity.
6) There needs to be improved communication between the County party and the local parties. I will establish a working Board of Directors from throughout the County to report back to the Chair regarding issues and events and regular meetings will be held.
7) Headquarters in Freehold should be open and available to all Monmouth County GOP groups.
8) Our website, www.monmouthrepublican.org, must be updated and kept current.
9) Every effort should be made to value differences of opinion and have internal disputes resolved privately.
10) Last, but certainly not least, the County Party must refocus on raising money. During my tenure as Senate President I raised more money than any other Republican in that time except for a sitting Governor. The Chair needs to participate, while also abiding by all pay-to-play rules and negotiations.
I am asking for your support as County Chair in order to implement this platform and keep Monmouth County strong and Republican. Together we can make a difference.
Very truly yours,
John O. Bennett
More from my site
ByLaws: Keep them simple
Monmouth GOP Chair’s Race, Part 1: The way the game is played
Bayshore Tea Party Promises Primaries
Curley: “None of the above!”
Current, Former Legislators Endorse Bennett for Monmouth GOP Chair
Bennett’s Baggage: The Monmouth GOP Chair’s Race, Part 2
Wall Elected Officials Back Golden
Guadagno Disavows Bennett Mailer
Curley to run for Monmouth GOP Chairman
Bennett proposes to reduce his term to one year
Where have you been all these years Johnny Boy? Sorry, too little, too late. Christine has been working at it.
That, plus your excess billing scandal and the Verga matter blows it for me.
You’re too much a part of the Good Old Boys Network
How is being the County Chairman and doing County legal work any more of a conflict then doing municipal or state legal work. Someone has to explain that one too me because I do not get it. Any County work lost will be made up by municipal work the new chairman will get. Better yet they will get a chairman from another county legal work here and they will get legal work in the other county.
This is a sham promise meant to influence the uninformed.
The fact that he has to address all these issues in his announcement is precisely the problem with his candidacy.
John, for the good of the party, withdraw your candidacy. You bring way too much baggage and in a year when we should blow out the Demoncrats in Monmouth County, you will give their lackeys in the press something to write about. For God’s sake, the APP is on life support, don’t give them a second wind with editorials about you.
I like the strategy, it’s organized, inclusive, fair and eliminates conflicts of interest.
This position can really use someone who is as dedicated and loyal as Senator Bennett has been to Monmouth and the Republican party.
This great news. I love the plan. Everything you mention is spot on. You’ve addressed everything that has been lacking and what most of us fine frustrating about the current structure. I am now optimistic of this position becoming something productive, helpful and progressive and not used as a stepping stone. You have my vote.
God Bless you Senator.
I like 1,3 & 6. Credit where credit is due.
I got to give it to you JB. You really have a God given talent on how to put it all together. In the span of a short article you got down to it. It’s a very comprehensive strategy addressing a lot of the issues everybody has been talking about for a couple of years.
You have won my vote.
When is he giving up his six figure pension and lifetime state health benefits he tacked from a bunch of low-no show muni jobs, which are illegal now?
give up a pension he rightfully and legally earned over a long and distinguised legislative career with tangible product in legislation that has actually made countless lives in this state better?..911, hazardous spill compensation, hazardous waste cleanup, clean water enforcement,and many more: would you?.. it’s the potential/perception for conflict in getting several county paychecks that many find objectionable..he will re-work the party and make it stronger and better, with a return to the county convention system that many have been yakking about for 4 years now!.. and, take more local and regional input, where many say they have felt left out.. really, for me, it’s an honor to support Bennett!..
I agree with LOL and PROUD REPUBLICAN. The fact that the former senator has to address these issues is reason enough for me not to vote for him. Please withdraw for the good of the party.
Will he remember to fill out his personal financial disclosure forms now?
Hey Freespeaker1976, John was completely cleared of all those charges… Maybe our good fair blogger can find and link that article.
It seems that the article from 2003 discussing the charges is on the app site is NOT IN THE ARCHIVES.. strange for an article that old to still be available. hmmm..
when some people have to resort to the lib modus operendi of childish mocking, name-calling, and try and dredge up ancient,speculative, and untrue things in order to make themselves feel better, you know they realize they are lacking in credentials and can’t win on merit.. oh Brian, your campaign style and tactics are showing again, are very identifiable, and yes, are now getting SO old!
Following is a copy and paste, now on 3 different threads — REALLY, sincerely, asking for respectful info:
This is disturbing to me….my husband is County Committee and just heard about Joe (apparently) not running for re-election. He thinks John Bennett has the strong political background and”gravitas” to be Chair and also has complimented the “newbie” Chris for her re: couple of years of dedicated volunteer service. BUT, got wind of the “jobs” situation and other questions that he has. The following I did confirm, if websites are current as to Chris:
1. Member of Monmouth County Board of Elections, PAID position??? How much? “Rumor” — please anyone with “facts” answer this — does this part time position really come with FAMILY health coverage and is her husband also a lawyer with a full time position?
I did find the following which does reflect she is on the Board (but couldn’t come up quick with if position is paid/includes health):
http://www.visitmonmouth.com/page.aspx?ID=897 http://www.monmouthlegal.com/christine.html
2. Tinton Falls?? Per data universe paid and “in the system”
http://php.app.com/NJpublicemployees12/details.php?recordID=286892
3. Is in a law firm
http://www.monmouthlegal.com/
that does significant gov’t work — Middletown, Tinton Falls, the County
4. PTA Mom with FOUR elementary school age children???? Adding to the several paid jobs, lawyer in firm, I find it bizarre that anyone in this position would have ANY interest or the TIME to add in the job of a County Chair, unless there is another plan.., see below comment 6.
http://www.monmouthlegal.com/christine.html
5. Just FYI I am not “anti-female,”just the opposite. I actively “follow” politics, am a staunch conservative R mother, always vote, but devote my efforts to my 3 children ages 14, 10 and 6 (taking a hiatus from my former life as an MD) and I do spend a portion of each evening checking politicker, blogs, etc and share info w/husband who does his “Committeman” in medium size town job well while working full time to make a living for our family.
6. We were both impressed with the John Bennett letter, and we agree with every initiative etc. – was this a pre-emptive strike because Chris Hanlon is announcing that she will be a “full time Chair” which could be compelling to offset her having just been involved for a couple of years??
Need real info from people that are not shills for either of these two R’s — anyone out there???? Remember Reagan
John forgot to include his bio, as written by Bob Ingle in The Soprano State:
http://books.google.com/books?id=Hl17n482_KQC&pg=PA122&lpg=PA122&dq=soprano+state+john+bennett&source=bl&ots=lQSUQlxmFm&sig=sAJ_ubZ3M8V5aOI25LSAKknSiEg&hl=en&sa=X&ei=WK-_T6bRNaf06AHCnZXGCg&ved=0CFIQ6AEwAA
So, the 2 choices are John Bennett, a lawyer who ALREADY has made millions from gov’t work and Christine Hanlon, a lawyer who is LOOKING to make millions from gov’t work??
an experienced and knowledgeable person who has lived through every possible good and bad scenario that politics can throw your way, and survived well, in 30 years,and a person who has done good volunteer work in four years, during some “winning” years in an election cycle.. with a new, likely well-funded, Dem county organization to go up against in this and succeeding years, I am going with Bennett- he will open our party up more, and will be able to better handle the bad times that can/will surely, eventually come, in this uncertain and crazy business!!..
requests his daughter to give up her position so he can advance his own career?
seems very selfish to me.
If this is what he will do to his own family members to better himself I wonder what else he would be willing to do for himself
Bennett would perfectly complement the Middlesex Chair, Sam Thompson, and together they’d breathe fresh air into the Central Jersey Republican organizations as they look to the future
first, you want HIS FIRM to give up county legal work ( but it’s ok for HERS?)..please, it’s nothing to do with him as a dad, his daughter works for the same, very large FIRM.. this is the same argument the other side is using, well, they make a lot of county money, but she’s only a “small-percentage” partner.. Meghan is NOT anywhere near a mojor partner in that firm, but, to show good faith and avoid conflicts in taking county work, their FIRM has agreed to forego county work..is the other firm?..good grief, way to twist a well-meaning stance- doesn’t hold water!!