Bellew challenges Kyrillos to debates as questions about her educational background arise
LD 13 Challenger told MMM she graduated from law school
Leigh-Ann Bellew, the Tea Party backed candidate running against State Senator Joe Kyrillos in the 13th legislative district GOP primary issued a debate challenge to the incumbent yesterday just as simmering questions about her educational background surfaced in the press.
Bellew said that Trenton has changed Kyrillos over the last 26 years and that 13th district Republicans should learn where the candidates stand on the Constitution, Tax Policy and Gun Rights.
“Joe Kyrillos has not had to face questions from Republican voters because there has not been an alternative voice,” said Bellew, ” Like a growing number of voters in District 13, I have seen an ideological shift by my opponent during the 26 years he has been in office. His stance against protecting the life of the unborn, limiting the freedoms of law-abiding citizens by decreasing their access to fire arms, and saying those who have worked hard for their own money need 
to fund more government no longer puts him in touch with the voters of this district. As such, I’ve invited Mr. Kyrillos to a series of debates. We can both answer questions in front of the voters on the constitution, the law, tax policy, and what we define as Liberty and Prosperity. This is a chance for the voters to learn where we stand on the issues and understand how we will govern.”
“I believe the voters in District 13 want to discuss the issues. I invite Joe Kyrillos to join me to debate the issues. From my years of studying the constitution, reading the Federalist and Anti-Federalist papers, and a personal study of how our laws have been shaped by our Founding Fathers – I am confident the Senator and I can have a healthy discussion to help the voters best decide who should represent them and write laws that protect them.”
But questions about Bellew’s “years of studying” have arisen with the implication that the candidate and her supporters have overstated her educational credentials since 2006 when she was a candidate for Congress. In an post with the headline Legal Eagle?, PolitickerNJ points to blog posts on the Bayshore Tea Party Group site, Save Jersey and WorldNewsDaily wherein either the candidate or her supporters cite her formal legal education and professional background. The WND article referred to her as an attorney.
Bellew, who was the GOP nominee for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2006, has described herself on a social networking site as having come from “a professional background with advanced degrees in political science and law.”
Similarly, in a post on the Bayshore Tea Party Blog, an attendee of one of Bellew’s Constitution courses describes the candidate as having “formal education in law,” including Constitutional law. In a recent interview with the conservative news site Save Jersey, Bellew said her “post-collegiate education” “focused on history and constitutional law.”
And she’s even been quoted by news outlets as an attorney. The conservative news website WorldNetDaily referred to Bellew as “an attorney” when she was quoted in a January 2011 story on a lawsuit involving Christian homeschooling parents.
However, Bellew’s biography on her campaign website makes no mention of the candidate having a degree in law. Her Linked In profile lists Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts degrees in Communications and History while other bios found list a Master of Science Degree in Political Science from the University of North Texas. UNT does not offer a law degree.
Earlier this month, MoreMonmouthMusings asked Bellew about her legal education. She told us that she graduated from law school in Texas but did not take the bar exam. She said she took a job with American Express in New York after graduation instead.
Bellew has not responded to a phone call asking for clarification on her education.
Kyrillos has not responded to an inquiry about whether or not he will debate Bellew.
More from my site
Low turnout is a major risk for LD 13 incumbents
Bellew’s Campaign Manager Indicted For Identity Theft 
Bayshore Tea Party Backed Slate Claims Momentum With Polling Data In LD13
Bellew Needs To Come Clean On Her Credentials
Bellew says she’s not the Bayshore Tea Party Group’s candidate
Debate Challenge: Kyrillos vs Bellew
NJ Right To Life Defends Kyrillos And Handlin Against Bellew’s ‘Misinformation’
Breaking: Indictment in the 4am robo call incident- Leigh-Ann Bellew is preparing to challenge Kyrillos
Monmouth County Prosecutor Actively Investigating 4am Robocall
Your no more a lawyer than you are an educator. You are a phoney, an “emperor with no clothes.”
You are making yourself out to be Wonder Women. You’re nothing but a fraud.
Silence Dogood, Redux
If there is a debate, I hope the Constitutional questions are confined mainly to the NJ Constitution, because it would be idiotic to talk only about Federal Constitutional issues in a State Senate race. There I said it now attack.
What this district needs is a passionate advocate that represents our interests in the state senate in Trenton. Kyrillos has not done that!
As the article implies, Kyrillos has become skewed and jaded, by sitting comfortably for the last 26 years in Trenton.
Hey, having an “educated” person means nothing to me. Look what education did to Nixon, a recipient of a JDD degree–he resigned in disgrace; Bill Clinton; another attorney, who got impeached–although the senate failed to act on his removal.
Locally, look at Sheriff Shaun Golden: recipient of a Masters Degree. Here we have a man that is attending a fund raising gala with a convicted sexual/physical abuser of woman in his capacity as chief law enforcement officer in the county. And lets not forget that little fraud he perpetuated by keeping a high-ranking officer in a non-existent position, so he can receive a pension and simultaneously receive a county paycheck–all to circumvent pension laws.
You see, we may have “educated” people, but they most certainly do “stupid” and unlawful actions in violation of their respective oaths of office.
Kyrillos must go; Shaun Golden must go!
Time for a change. If they should get elected and fail their constituents as Golden and Kyrillos did–Out they go as well!!
The only fraud are the actions taken by Sheriff Shaun Golden. Look what he did to the hard working county taxpayer’s and all hard working law enforcement personnel in the PFRS pension system.
Lets not forget the silence by our Legislative team in LD#13–they enabled the fraud by not demanding action by law enforcement personnel. So when you speak of fraud, and official misconduct, look no further than the team in LD#13
http://newjersey.watchdog.org/2011/10/10/the-golden-age-of-double-dipping-in-monmouth-county/
Either your head is in the sand or up your arse. If you don’t think Bellew is a fraud you are really looney toons.
Enough with the Sean Golden issue. It’s a non starter, otherwise it would have been prosecuted. ENOUGH.
Signed,
Silence Dogood, Redux
But for starters, our so-called team of Kyrillos et al can call for an independent investigation.
Did they!! NOPE…why not??? There just as culpable!!
http://newjersey.watchdog.org/2012/05/14/conflicts-controversy-plague-dcj-investigation-of-lt-gov-guadagno-245k-pension-scam-investigative-report-by-mark-lagerkvist/
This must be an April fools day joke delayed.
This woman has zippo qualifications and cannot hold a candle to Senator Joe.
She will be humbled on primary day when Joe gets 90% of the vote. What a shame all this mental energy has to be spent.
Do not be overconfident. When was the last time Kryillos had to really defend his seat? You are going to need people who normally do not vote in a primary to get out and vote. Remember Corsi was unintelligible in his you tube ad, looked completely incompetent at Candidates night at Lakeside Manor, yet he finsihed ahead of Sipprelle in Monmouth County 2010 primary for 12th District CD. Do not presume anything.
The only question is do we want a proven leader in Joe Kyrillos who has played a part in making Monmouth County not only one of the best places to live in NJ but in America or do we want someone who cannot even answer a simple question about her education?
Simple – WE WANT JOE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sounds like Bellew is having a Palin moment – dont ask her what newspapers she reads! 🙂
We wan’t Joe you say–why? How is he a proven leader? He ran unopposed most of his 26 years in the senate. What part has he played in making Monmouth County the best place to live?
Your generalities need to be given specifics.
Specifics? You first – did Bellew go to college?
Where, when and what degree?
Can you post a link to her documentary? No one can seem to find it.
Joe has not run unopposed – but dont blame him because the Democrats have crappy candidates. By the way where was all this activity last year when Joe took on the most corrupt Senator in America? How about going after Buono, Booker and Pallone? What is the Bayshore TEA Party afraid of real liberals.
You guys have become a irrelavant bunch of crybabies.
If Bellew-ga and the rest of you had any guts you would have run in November under the Tea Party Banner.
PS. Go on the Senate website to see Joe’s record. During the Florio, Corzine and McGreevy he opposed the tax hikes over a 100 time and during Whitman voted to cut over 50 taxes. Under Christie – we have had tax caps and pension and helth care reforms. THANK YOU JOE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
One more thing – why can’t Bellew answer a question about where and if she went to college.
My cat is more of a Constitutional expert then Bellew!
T.E.A. = Tea (Party) Enough Already!
Did Sheriff Shaun Golden ever give an explanation why he placed an individual in a fictitious position? What did HE have to say about it?
Not sure. But do we want a sheriff to stupid to know how long you have to live in a place before you can run for office?
Amen.
I also want Bellew to answer questions about being an educator and her bankruptcy. No doubt her consultant will be brought in to cover up those facts
Signed,
Silence Dogood, Redux
Come on Bellew answer on question – did you graduate from The Ohio College of Clowning Arts or Hamburger University?
* Seriously these are real schools!
Quiz Question
Who is a convicted Drunk Driver?
POP QUIZ!
“Who is a convicted drunk driver?”
The Very Thought of the Correct Answer Gives Me the Willies, So I’ll Have to Opt for Silence.
If your not going to give facts, there is no reason to hurl these little tantalizing tidbits.
If you have to resort to this, you candidate can’t be that strong on his record.