Golden Wins!
GOP Chairman Shaun Golden
Monmouth County Shaun Golden has been elected Chairman of the Monmouth County Republican Committee.
Golden defeated incumbent Chairman John Bennett 335 votes to 282.
UPDATED: June 11, 2014
There was brief confusion when County Clerk Claire French presented the results to Bennett. Bennett misunderstood the results and thought he had won. He and his daughters started to celebrate but were quickly corrected. Bennett then announced that Golden was the new County Republican Chairman and left the room with his family.
Golden thanked the convention and promised to conduct his new office with dignity and honor.
Unaware that MMM already had published the vote count, Golden declined to release the results to The Asbury Park Press, saying he would release them today.
Golden did not announce his choice of Vice Chair. Rather, he will announce a leadership council and a diversity team to reach out to ethnic groups that traditionally do not vote Republican before the week is out. Members of the leadership team will serve as “co-vice chairs” with one of them holding the title as a formality.
Golden is retaining Executive Director Tom Symanski’s employment with the Party. “Tom has done a good job and we worked well together on the campaign last year,” Golden said this morning, ” we’ll give him more direction and support going forward.”
More from my site
Niemann Endorses Bennett, Says “You cannot be a Party Leader and an Elected Official”
Holmdel Mayor and Town Leaders Supporting Shaun Golden for GOP Chair
Backlash from Bennett’s “Endorsement”
John Kaye: Vin Gopal and the Monmouth Democrats will “beat us over the head” if Golden is Chairman
Another endorsement for Bennett
DiSomma Staying Out of Chairman’s Race
Bennett’s “Final Letter.” Challenges Golden to debate before the convention
Leading NJ Legal Scholar: Golden has no conflict serving as Chairman and Sheriff- Promises Made, Promises Kept
Costigan exits on a high note
[…] friend Art Gallagher reported the final tally as 335 votes for Golden to 282 for Bennett, Save Jerseyans, in a contest for Monmouth GOP Chairman that tightened considerably down the […]
Congratulations Shaun.
This is going to be a jolt that is going to be hard to overcome.
First, the sheriff/chairman, will have his way with the Freeholders in terms of pay raises–which includes himself–and funding his department.
Second, people predicted Vin Gopal will have fun with this—they are correct!
Sad day.
As both John Bennett & Shaun Golden implored their supporters, as well as Declan O’Scanlon & Tom Arnone who nominated the candidates respectively; “we will all come together after the votes are counted” for the benefit of the Monmouth County Republican Party.
The votes have been counted, so let’s honor their wishes. While we are all welcome to our opinions, let’s stop with the crystal ball based fear tactics and predictions and make this work.
My bet is that while Vin Gopal may have fun with this short term; it will not gain traction unless WE let it.
WE need to remind voters that Republicans have worked to give our residents one of the best counties in the State. And that will solve Vin Gopal’s problems
Fair enough?
Just an observation: It’s pretty unusual how much turnover there has been in the chairmanship of the Monmouth GOP since about the past 10 years or so when Bill Dowd was defeated. I can’t even name all the chairs. Normally these positions would stay with one person for years in places like Monmouth County where the GOP has been so dominant.
Art, care to comment on why this is happening? And do you agree this is an unusual amount of turnover for a suburban Republican county party as successful in winning state and county offices? Monmouth is not like Hudson County where the real race for the elected positions is the Democratic primary, and the county party contests get aligned with that. Going back 30 years, I can’t think of any Republican winning a primary off-the-line who then went on to win a state or county office in Monmouth. So it’s not like this is a county party in a perpetual state of upheaval like the Dems in a place like Hudson. Why such instability in the chair’s position?
And, starting with the year Bill Dowd was defeated, can you list all the GOP chairs who’ve have held the position and the years? I just can’t remember them.
Dan Jacobson
You Bennett-ites sound like a bunch of global warming alarmists. Vin Gopal can try all he wants, the guy in the street doesn’t get, nor does he care about the most inside of baseball that is an unpaid, intra-party position that has no bearing on his taxes, roads or park system. People love this county and understand what a great job the Republicans have done. And in a year when being a Democrat is about as advantageous as a visible herpes sore at a church singles
dance, don’t think the voters are going to stampede over to the union-serving, tax-happy socialists because of this. Congrats to Shaun and thank you for your service John. Now, in the words of Rodney King, “can’t we
all just get along?”
@Going back 30 years, I can’t think of any Republican winning a primary off-the-line who then went on to win a state or county office in Monmouth.”
Get used to it. Jeff Bell’s return is showing the way.
Sorry but Bennett did NOT do anything to unite the divided party after his election two years ago.
Shaun with his friendly, warm people skills will bring us all together with a stronger more vibrant Republican party starting right now.
Vin Gopal, stop smiling, there is a new sheriff in town.
I won, Grass Roots won. Now, let’s all get to work winning Republican seats.
https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&biw=1920&bih=821&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1920&bih=821&q=Egg+Mcmuffin+won&oq=Egg+Mcmuffin+won&gs_l=img.3…2118.9768.0.10451.24.13.4.7.5.0.123.819.12j1.13.0….0…1ac.1.46.img..6.18.636.ADj-65dh9wA&gws_rd=ssl#hl=en&q=egg+mcmuffin+mcdonald%27s&tbm=isch
“…In his first action as chairman, Golden declined Tuesday night to release the official vote tally, however, the results were making its rounds around members soon after the announcement was made…”
Really? Not good for transparency and full disclosure. I see the bullcrap has already started. I know, I know, lets all come together for the sake of the party.
New Chairman Golden didn’t immediately reveal the vote tallies in order not to embarrass ex Chairman Bennett.
I take that as a sign of kindness and of respect for Bennett.
Golden won by a large margin, but obviously chose not to boast about it.
See Golden is already being a more friendly considerate chairman.
A new better chapter is already begun.
Thanks Chairman Golden
You act like Jeff Bell is a serious candidate. The guy has 0 campaign organization. Ever see a Jeff Bell lawn sign? Get a live call from his organization? Seen Jeff Bell volunteers roving the streets? The dude spent every dollar he made in the primary. He’s done for. The APF can’t save him from Booker. I put him at 37%.
@Dan Jacobson
The Chairmen since Bill Dowd were:
1) Fred Niemann for one term.
2) Adam Puharic for one term.
3) Joe Oxley for two terms
4) John Bennett for one term.
Why the turnover would make a good column. I’ll write it up sometime soon. In the meantime, this post I wrote about Former Prosecutor John Kaye’s endorsement of Bennett includes an explanation of why and how Monmouth County politics is different than most NJ counties: http://www.moremonmouthmusings.net/2014/06/06/john-kaye-vin-gopal-and-the-monmouth-democrats-will-beat-us-over-the-head-if-golden-is-chairman/
I hope Golden does everything he said he is going to do. He had an inspiring message tonight and I think that helped him win over anyone that was on the fence. The truth is that we are losing our margin a little bit every day. There are tons of people that don’t know how Monmouth County became so great. Strong republicans made this county what it is today and we all need to flaunt that. But the next generation’s vote is up for grabs and we need them to recognize that to have sustainable government and a prosperous economy, then republicans are the ones who will come through where other have failed and left them with nothing but hopes and dreams. Shaun Golden is the one who ran on delivering that message!
BEST MAN WON !! Happy to see the majority felt the same and made the right decision.
I’m glad we got to see the true colors of John Bennett last night. 30 seconds after announcing Golden won the election, he exits stage left (literally) in a tantrum and storms out the door.
If our FORMER chairman had and care about the party. class or dignity, he would have stayed a few minutes after, took a picture with the new Chairman and called for party unity. Maybe even make a quote to the press congratulating Shaun and vowing to help any way possible? But no, John Bennett showed he is nothing more than a political pig.
The Monmouth County Committee made the right choice last night. The end of the evening just proved that once again.
In his “concession speech”, Bennett did say “he is your Chairman” before running away. So I’m confused, is he still a member of our party?
We have already seen from the past Shaun Golden’s management of the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Department, i.e. bloated overtime; failure to engage in aggressive enforcement in the streets of Asbury Park–and the worst of all, placing his personal friend in a made up position–a position that doesn’t exist– (gee, didn’t Christie do that for Wildstein?) so he can collect a pension and a salary.
Now Golden is going to conduct political business on the taxpayers’ dime. This is outrageous!!!! If he doesn’t, how is he going to find the time to conduct such business. This was a horrible mistake. He will now be able to receive pay raises without any problem, and increase the budget of his department without opposition from the Freeholders in fear of being left off the ticket..
You wait…this prophecy will come true!
@ Golden’s First Act Said
“Really? Not good for transparency and full disclosure. I see the bullcrap has already started.”
STOP, please stop. You are digging yourself a deeper hole and embarrassing John’s supporters.
I second what @ “Maybe said:
“New Chairman Golden didn’t immediately reveal the vote tallies in order not to embarrass ex Chairman Bennett.”
Like on Okinawa, there will always be a few holdouts and stalwart supporters. But geeez guys, knock it off.
I guess you don’t want to listen to John Bennett & Declan O’Scanlon themselves; asking people to come together after the vote.
You just must be Tim H, who despises Egg McMuffins. Or, maybe the ghost of Jim Sage.
Jim G.
@”Seen Jeff Bell volunteers roving the streets? The dude spent every dollar he made in the primary. He’s done for.”
Tell that to Eric Cantor.
I’d like to make the following nomination for co-chair:
Tracy Morgan, aka The Other Black Guy, because you know… diversity.
@Sancho Panza
Major difference, Bell isn’t in a state like CD7 in VA which is usually 85% GOP.
Also, Dave Brat is actually well like and has been a voice in that area of VA for years now….unlike Bell who just decided to move back to NJ after 31 years.
true colors said everything i was going to say. bennett is for bennent, he was counting the money he lost and cannot feed his daughters . if he spent as much time on the local campaigns as he did on his own losing campaign, we would have county committee filled and have picked up 3 or 4 towns. good riddance. now we can get on with the business at hand and start to push back the vin gopels of this world. and cut off the head of the snake, aka jon hornick. this is a great victory for all republicans in monmouth county.
^^^”Trouble in Marlboro^^^ needs a sedative.
&
@nominations – Did someone forget to take their crazy pills this morning or are you always just a miserable azz? You’re not funny bro.
Your sense may be common but your humor is none.
Now enjoy some diversity, like Obama: http://www.nationaljournal.com/njmagazine/nj_20090620_3869.php
Next thing you know, Republicans will mandate that we have to buy our energy from the government, like Obamacare.
I love reading all the comments on Art’s blog with a cup of coffee in the morning. It is a great way to start the day. It makes me think maybe I am not so crazy after all.
@HumorNone
lol So do you DVR FoxNews or do you just have dreams about Bret Baier without
First off, my humor is amazing so slow your roll.
Second, you try to make a joke about a man who is on life support and think that’s acceptable…I mean come on. Now do you get the point Mr. Internet Badazz.
I don’t care about your link which didn’t even make sense since no one brought up Obama or diversity besides you or were you attempting to speak on the article in the APP today and failed miserably.
In either case I have a link for you, could be your theme song…just throwing it out there: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DksSPZTZES0
@HumorNone……people do not buy “Obamacare” from the govt. People can competitively shop, compare and purchase health insurance policies that are offered on exchanges from private insurance company’s.
I read this blog often, and one thing I see is that the GOP will not or can not move forward and unite after an election and support the winner in our own party.
We seem to do this ALL the time. Say what you what about the DEMS, but they seem to always support the winning candidate (use Obama and Hillary as an example of that) for the good of their party.
We really need to start doing that on every level in the GOP, local, state, and national if we are to ever move this country in the right direction.
The election is over. Please stop “eating” our own……
thank you.
It’s clear you just don’t know Tracy Morgan, aka The Other Black Guy, and Golden needs me to reach out to the younger voters.
Tracy Morgan has made many crude jokes, and he’s unapologetic about them, rightly so.
Here’s Tracy making jokes about “retards” and cripples:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/celebritology/post/tracy-morgan-in-trouble-again-this-time-for-disabled-jokes/2011/06/29/AGjDb0qH_blog.html
My reference to him is both topical and humorous in that he was always very aware of “diversity”, thus “The Other Black Guy” and he is a crude comic who would absolute make the same reference. Now quit posting links to gay songs. (See the humor in reference to the Tracy Morgan link?)
@Bob, yes.
why the mean-spirited comments today. Looks like they’re all coming from the same person trying to cause mischief. Some of them are just plain weird.
Both John and Shaun did a great job last night. Outgoing Chairman Bennett should be duly honored for his service, commitment and achievements. Also, welcome to incoming Chairman Golden. Looking forward to seeing what he will bring to the table. Time to get to work.
@Golden Needs Me!,
I am very familiar with SNL their endless skits and characters, the point being is that your attempt to make “your point” was ill-fated.
It is also clear that you are a person who deems themselves witty, unfortunately for you …yea ain’t lol. Welcome to the internet where if you attempt to troll and fail, people will call you out.
I’m done with you by the way so have a great day and in case I don’t hear from you….good afternoon, good evening, and goodnight.
But to go back to the meaning of this thread before I was placed on a tangent, at the end of the day fences need to be mended between both sides and supporters.
Thank you Chairman Bennett and good luck to Chairman Golden.
The Egg McMuffin link was really funny. It made me hungry.
@”Dave Brat is actually well like and has been a voice in that area of VA for years.”
A voice that nobody listened to, neither the news media nor Eric Cantor, much to their shame. Bell’s voice, on the other hand, has counted in the halls of power for decades. But the apparent antagonism indicates more than just a lack of support for the undisputed primary winner in the general election.
Congratulations to Chairman Golden, under his leadership I’m confident the Monmouth County Republican committee will flourish! Thank you to former Chairman Bennett for his service to the party!
The best uniter of the GOP is the President of the United States and his policies.
Now we all have to prove that we can work together to expose the failings of our would be king/emperor (as well as his local apologists and minions).
Failure on our part is just not an option.
It’s hard for Republicans to win in Marlboro since the arrest and fall of Scannapieco and former mayor Clownberg. If Repubs are going to win in Marlboro, they have to stop disrespecting first responders:
http://marlboro-coltsneck.patch.com/groups/volunteering/p/senator-and-assembly-defend-nomination-of-marlboro-candidates
I gotta admit, I agree with you.
Elections in November as a United party for Our Great Country and our sanity.
Thanks Art G. For MMM
It’s always very informative and entertaining!
real story or sad distraction?
😉
Leadership and Diversity Committees were to be announced on June 11. I wonder what the reason for the delay is. Shouldn’t County Committee members be notified?
GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT…..
True diversity is diversity of thought and opinion, not of skin color and race.
I highly recommend that Mr. Golden, and any others, read
“We Are Doomed: Reclaiming Conservative Pessimism” by John Derbyshire before naming “co-vice-chairs” based on ethic groups rather than diverse views and opinions.
http://www.amazon.com/Are-Doomed-Reclaiming-Conservative-Pessimism/dp/0307409597
Do not go for “windowdressing”, Mr. Chairman. Very transparent.
And they will soon prove themselves less than productive and not very user-friendly…. though initially they may look good.
I agree with he posting as Diversity (above).