Scharfenberger and Kiley are taking nothing and no one for granted
GOP Freeholder candidates Gerry Scharfenberger and Sue Kiley in Ocean Township.
On paper they are unopposed for the Monmouth GOP nominations for freeholder to be awarded on Saturday morning at iPlayAmerica in Freehold Township. But former Middletown Mayor Gerry Scharfenberger and Hazlet Deputy Mayor Sue Kiley are taking no chances and are campaigning as if they were in competitive races.
Both candidates have sent letters of introduction to each member of the GOP County Committee and they have been meeting with Republican municipal committees throughout the County for the last three weeks. Last night they met with Republican Committee members from Ocean Township, Eatontown and Long Branch at an event hosted by Ocean GOP Chairman Joe Hadden. On Thursday evening the candidates are scheduled to meet with Republicans from the Two Rivers area at an event hosted by former Red Bank Chairman Jim Giannell.
Scharfenberger is vying to replace Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso on the Board of Freeholders. If elected by the Monmouth GOP County Committee on Saturday, he will take office immediately and ask the general election voters in November to keep him on the job for the final year of DiMaso’s term.
Kiley is seeking the nomination for a full three year term on the Freeholder Board. The seat Kiley is seeking is currently held by disgraced Freeholder John P. Curley. If nominated on Saturday, Kiley will continue to serve as Deputy Mayor of Hazlet this year while she and Scharfenberger make their case to Monmouth County voters throughout the year.
Throughout the County, the mood of Republicans towards Curley is that of embarrassment and sadness for a friend who has gone badly off track.
Hadden expressed the sentiment well. “John Curley is my friend. But we can’t have elected officials who say and do the things he has,” Hadden said last night in Ocean Township. “We’re very fortunate to have two outstanding public servants who are willing to step up to lead. John is my friend, but if I was a freeholder, I would have voted to censure him. Now we need to coalesce behind Gerry and Sue and work hard for their election in November.”
More from my site
Scharfenberger running for DiMaso’s freeholder seat, Kiley seeking GOP nomination for full freeholder term
Curley will not have Republican support for reelection next year- Curley blows his chance for the GOP endorsement for reelection
Curley Harassment Probe Cost $24K
Curley’s Unhinged Nutty Tantrum- Freeholder John Curley hires high powered attorney
Hazlet Mayor Sue Kiley Endorses O’Scanlon, Handlin and DiMaso in LD 13
Political Predictions for 2018
Monmouth GOP launches women’s leadership initiative
Freeholders Postpone Curley’s Harassment Censure
Hey Art, one day you should see if Joe Hadden and Jim Giannell would do a quick interview with you so that you can give them a grand and proper introduction to readers who might not know them or know of the time and effort they dedicate to ensuring that we have the best representatives on the ballot year after year.
For those who don’t know these guys, I don’t think that there are enough kind and supportive words for their efforts and dedication to their neighbors. It is my opinion that neither is some political hack looking for a job on the back of some elected politicians – both seem to be involved for the good of their town, county, state, and nation and aren’t looking, as far as I can tell, to gain personally or professionally like I believe that many others who are involved are doing or trying to do.
For the many years of great service and dedication, and for the many more that I know you guys will continue to provide, THANK YOU!
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An average guy who used to live in Long Branch until Jim Giannell found him a nice home elsewhere.
Jim Gianell is a giant in the party. There was a day that if you wanted to get elected anything in the County Jim was the go to guy. He opted to slow down because had he not, he’d be county chair if h wanted it. Just a brilliant tactician and strategist. Sad part is this is same old crap…party big shots suppress all other candidates and support the 2 that they like. They may be fine people and candidates but the CC should pick in an open election. They will say this is just that but there are at least 5 people told NOT to run and forced to back down. Watch as BOB WALSH will make a run at this. Just sayin.
@ Tim H – either you are Bob Walsh’s brother-in-law, or you have exclusive rights to Hawaiian shirts in Monmouth County. Either way you are a lone voice in the wilderness thinking that Bob Walsh is some super candidate waiting in the wings. I for one am happy that two decent, capable, respected candidates have stepped up to get their hands dirty to help clean up the mess that we are in
Why hate on Bob? Making fun of his clothes? Really? He will run and in a debate can hold his own. I’d not count him out. He’s the guy the Curley people privately want as he is most like John. BOB WALSH for Freeholder.