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Senator Joe Kyrillos will not seek reelection

Joe KyrillosNew Jersey State Senator Joe Kyrillos will not seek reelection in 2017, according to a report on Observer-PolitickerNJ .

“It has been the greatest privilege of my life to serve the people of my district and the state of New Jersey in the Legislature,” Kyrillos told the Observer. “Ever since I was a kid growing up in Monmouth County, I’ve always believed that public service is an important and noble profession. I am truly fortunate to have had the ability to serve for so many years in the state Senate, and I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished on behalf of the people of New Jersey.”

A senator since 1992, Kyrillos has been a consistently influential figure in Monmouth County, Trenton and beyond.  Known for his elegant and diplomatic style, the silver haired gentleman from Middletown is a consensus and relationship builder who started his political career right out of college working for Vice President George H.W. Bush during the 1984 presidential campaign.  After President Ronald Reagan’s reelection, Kyrillos served as a Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Interior until he was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly in 1987.

Kyrillos was the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in 2012, Governor Chris Christie’s 2009 Campaign Chairman and the Chairman of the New Jersey GOP from 2001 through 2004.

A long term friend of Christie who introduced Kryillos to his wife, Susan, the senator shocked New Jersey and national Republicans when he broke with his friend and endorsed former Florida Governor Jeb Bush for the 2016 presidential nomination.

In an email to his friends and colleagues, Kryillos said:

It is with overwhelming friendship and gratitude that I write you today to announce I will not be running for re-election to the state Senate in 2017. I wanted you to be the first to know of my decision.

It has been the greatest privilege of my life to represent my district and the State of New Jersey in the Legislature. These past 28 years have been a true honor and I’ll continue to serve until January of 2018.  As you can imagine, it’s not an easy decision for me or my family.  But, having spent half my lifetime serving in the legislature, it’s time for some new challenges and opportunities. And, obviously, the constraints and frustrations of serving in the minority and with the process is a factor.

I am extraordinarily proud of all I’ve accomplished – on issues ranging from job creation and the economy, to improving schools and protecting the environment and in helping people with their problems – big and small. Susan and I will of course continue to be active in our community and around the state and I’ll stay involved in public affairs at home and nationally. Thank you for your confidence and support over many years. I intend to stay in close touch!

God bless you, our state, and our great country always.

All the best,

Joe

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Posted: October 25th, 2016 | Author: | Filed under: Joe Kyrillos, Monmouth County, Monmouth County News, New Jersey | Tags: , , | 10 Comments »

10 Comments on “Senator Joe Kyrillos will not seek reelection”

  1. A lifetime said at 7:48 pm on October 25th, 2016:

    of good breaks, staying quite “safe”on most issues, and doing quite well for himself. No wonder it was ok to vote “yes” on the gas tax increase.. Watch next, the bloody inter-party battle for that seat, in 2017,when the GOP is likely to lose just about everything in NJ. Sounds like getting out while the getting’ s good, actually.

  2. Tommy De Seno said at 8:22 pm on October 25th, 2016:

    So long, Monmouth Rastaman!

  3. Mike Howell said at 8:37 pm on October 25th, 2016:

    So now we see why your crooked ass voted for the gas tax. It was your pansy ass running away screw you to those who trusted you.

    Chris told you to drop your pants and you grabbed your ankles.

    Larry Bathgate must be so pissed that he was your Rabbi!

    You sold out your constituents.

  4. John Curley Warming Up in the Bullpen said at 10:05 pm on October 25th, 2016:

    John, Here is the perfect chance to step up to the plate!

    We are waiting…

  5. MIDDLETOWN: Kyrillos won't seek 10th senate term. said at 6:35 am on October 26th, 2016:

    […] for his elegant and diplomatic style,” according to the right-leaning news blog More Monmouth Musings, Kyrillos, 56, began his career in public service in 1984, shortly after graduating from Hobart […]

  6. Jimmy Jones said at 7:34 am on October 26th, 2016:

    He made the right decision for a change. Hius chances of winning are directly ties to the GAS TAX that he sold out the taxpayers over.

    One can only hope that DECLAN OSCANLON follows suit. Another total traitor!

  7. Tax hike Joe gotta go said at 6:52 pm on October 26th, 2016:

    Robbie Clifton will make a wonderful Senator. Good ridance Joe.

  8. @Tax hike Joe Gotta Go said at 8:05 am on October 27th, 2016:

    Well, Joe will be going (thank the lord!); However, Clifton is in another District. What about John Curley???

  9. Please don't think said at 10:59 am on October 27th, 2016:

    that Amy Handlin will sit idly by and not try for that seat: how do you spell Middletown’s largest number of county committee votes? ( yes, Curley is now from Middletown, but she is there forever, and was dep mayor, then freeholder, then kicked Joe Azzolina out of his seat in a primary.) She may be quiet, non- gregarious and bookish, but she isn’t dumb. Am guessing she smelled something in the air, and thus,voted no on the gas tax increase. Will be interesting to see another intra- party battle that could eventually result in the loss of another seat- or two..

  10. @Puppy Jack said at 11:56 am on October 28th, 2016:

    Check again Puppy. The last time it was up for a vote Clifton voted “no.”

    He voted yes in July and then between then and the last vote he spoke with his constituents, including me, and like most good representatives changed his vote to reflect the will of his constituents.

    I wish he would replace our current Senator Sam Thompson, a nice guy, but he didn’t even show up to vote that day!