Sheriff Shaun Golden is running for Monmouth GOP Chairman
UPDATED 10:14 am
Sheriff Shaun Golden
Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden will seek the Monmouth County Republican Chairmanship when the party convenes to elect a chairman on June 10.
Incumbent Chairman John O. Bennett III said he is running for reelection.
“Shaun’s a good man and a good sheriff,” Bennett said. “I’ve always thought that elected officials should be elected officials and chairmen should be chairmen. I think Shaun should focus on being sheriff. We live in a Democracy. The committee will decide.”
“It’s a race,” Golden said, “we need to get our party moving forward.”
The two men met for breakfast this morning. Golden informed Bennett that he was running and asked for a smooth transition.
Golden told MMM that he would be releasing a formal statement and sending a letter to members of the Republican County Committee later today.
Golden was reelected last November by a 64%-36% margin with over 100,000 votes. Bennett attempted to recruit to the sheriff to run against Congressman Frank Pallone in the 6th congressional district.
“‘Not only is popular and a demonstrated vote getter, he has an outstanding record with a documented ability to get things done,” Bennett said of Golden in February.
More from my site
Bennett proposes to reduce his term to one year
Golden: Passion and pride, not personal gain, will grow the Monmouth GOP- Bennett and Golden pledge positive campaign
Bennett’s Undetered By Golden’s Endorsements
Bennett: McEnery-Graziano Letter Raises Legitimate Issue. Says Golden Went Negative
Niemann Endorses Bennett, Says “You cannot be a Party Leader and an Elected Official”
John Kaye: Vin Gopal and the Monmouth Democrats will “beat us over the head” if Golden is Chairman
Golden Cites NJ Court Case Affirming Sheriffs’ Right To Hold Party Office In Rebuke Of McEnery and Graziano
Golden Not Running Against Pallone
DiSomma Staying Out of Chairman’s Race
[…] Read the rest at Art’s blog, MoreMonmouthMusings. […]
when the Chair does such a good job, raises his candidates lots of money for both primaries and generals,and fulfills his promises,and gets these people big election victories? The egos get out of control,and some think they deserve it all, and need to run the world.. Last thing we need is another divisive party race, in a low turnout, tough year.. Agree Shaun is a good sheriff, and needs to remain so!.. John and Susan have been excellent,and deserve another term: there’s plenty of time for the 40-something’s to take over in a few years!!
Can you expand on “a good job” for the rest of us?
It seems like, at best, Bennett has been maintaining the status quo.
Examples:
1) No real challenges to any incumbents despite claims of a process that would encourage such challenges. Walsh was closest to a real challenge and that effort fell on it’s face.
2) No real grooming of a candidate to challenge Pallone, the D congressman for half of the county. And now here is an acceptable front-runner candidate, Golden, looking for the easy fight for chair rather than the hard fight for Congress.
3) County budget has been kept flat, which is great, and I do believe our Freeholders do a good job, but don’t Republicans typically talk about “tax cuts”? Flat > cut, where are the “cuts” as in taxpayers pay less?
4) At last check I was lead to believe that there are more vacancies in committee seats today than there were under Chairman Oxley’s watch. Losing committee seats likely correlates to losing municipal elections. I haven’t seen the numbers in a few months so maybe this has changed.
5) No gains (or effort) in the D-strongholds of Neptune, Asbury or Long Branch, and no effort to build up any organization there despite Mary Pat Angelini and Jen Beck having reasonably close ties to numerous officials and organizations in those areas.
I’ll also throw these questions out there:
1) Has Bennett even made an effort to communicate with Art/MMM or is he still holding on to a grudge against bloggers who provide local political news and a discussion forum for that news?
2) Back in the day/at the time of Bennett’s election to chair, a number of incumbents including Mary Pat Angelini and Dave Rible were openly OUTRAGED that Christine Hanlon wasn’t elected to chair. Have those bridges been repaired or is it those same incumbents pushing for their friend to become chair now?
…hope this positively adds to a discussion and hopefully Chairman Bennett will even join in; I hear he is closest a MMM reader! 🙂
Re: Bennett communicating with MMM. Yes, he is accessible, as his quotes in this article attests to. There is no grudge that I know of.
@”See what happens… …when the Chair does such a good job, raises his candidates lots of money for both primaries and generals,and fulfills his promises,and gets these people big election victories? The egos get out of control,and some think they deserve it all, and need to run the world.”
Oh, for God’s sake, …that’s just about the goofiest statement I think I’ve read yet. Lol!!
Way to p-off a whole lotta’ folks before the race even officially begins.
BTW,
A good candidate with a solid winning record (throughout the tenure of multiple chairs, no less) doesn’t challenge an incumbent chair, unless said incumbent is not so great at his said job.
Just sayin.
With Define A Good Job on points 2, 4, and 5.
But, I will disagree on point # 3.
I guess really can’t trust anyone that says they will actually cut our taxes. It’s a very difficult job to do that. Would rather be pragmatic in slowly cutting the budget and the fat out so that there are no increases, and over time; such would be lower in reality when compared to other municipalities.
The Federal Government? Sure, I believe there is a lot of bloat and waste. I wonder (but could be wrong) if there is that much in Monmouth County that could be cut without affecting the reasons why so many move to Monmouth County.
How awkward must it be for Bennett’s daughter working at the Sheriff’s office?
Both of these men are adults (unlike the 2cnd poster on this thread) so I doubt there is any awkwardness whatsoever for Bennett’s daughter.
Note to clarify:
I was referring to the poster “See What Happens” in the above comment.
I think they are both class guys and I suspect it will be a gentlemanly contest.
I just hope the posters don’t go down into the mud. “And that’s all I’ll say about that” and this contest. Friends in both camps.
For ‘crimanental’ sake!!!!! No more common or good sense???? If a ‘planting’ by the people does not produce a prolific and unadulterated crop … EVALUATE, EDUCATE, instead of ERADICATE! Let the ‘productive party troops’ in the trenches get on with it while AT PEACE FOR ONCE … instead of constantly juggling damage control caused by ‘money-making’mouths’, who have no regard for loyalty and good service to the people. BENNETT and GOLDEN … two good men (neither perfect) … definitely non-productive, nor imperative … to yank them in to a countywide division upon the whim of a few compassionless, selfish glory seekers. A genuine Monmouth County’n will put cardboard in the hole of their shoe rather than discard it deliberately, carelessly, thriftlessly, and unnecessarily. Let BENNETT and GOLDEN, responsibly continue their responsibilities, while appreciating and encouraging County Committee to be responsible for their responsibilities!!!!! ‘Let there be peace … at last …. and let it begin with you and me!’
off of her meds again?
I have no clue what her gibberish means.
Hey Edith, they sell “Weed-Be-Gone” over at the Home Depot, …ya’ know, for that garden problem of yours. It’s on sale this time of year.
Other than that, I have no clue what it is you meant to say in that last post of yours.
Smile … stay happy … dear little ones! You’ve got a lot of growing up to do yet, and maybe one day you’ll be big and proud enough to even sign your name.
Edith, you are one big nut.
Do tell, Edith T. ,
Exactly what DOES “crimanental” mean??? What deep wisdom is being kept from our feeble minds??
I can find no known dictionary that will reveal it’s secret … …. ….
Oh pray please enlighten us all!!
Shaun Golden our Sheriff running for top politico job in Monmouth County. Law enforcement and politics is not a good mix. Lets conspire: Next term Sen. Bob Singer announces his retirement, Dave Rible challenges Sean Kean and no matter what there is a vacancy for Shaun Golden who lives in that district.
What do you think?
Do you think Rible or other Monmouth Co Assy and Senators who wholeheartedly endorsed Christine Hanlon forgot?
Just wondering. Beware of karma especially when vengeance is involved.
Always thought Golden was a stand up guy-not convinced anymore.
Little mindless brains the size of a pea are easily identified by the inability to handle current subject for discussion as Posted. This ‘one big nut’ is proud to be a misfit in your little peanut gallery. Happy you spelled it right … ‘Crimanental’ is a manufactured “Weed-be-gone” word used to puff up your spineless pleasure in remaining anonymous, while avoiding the “Chair” issue. Thank you MMM for your mission to keep Monmouth County residents current, and allowing for differences of opinion, and constructive comments, on the topic posted.
The big 5 gallon Weed-Be-Gone is on sale at Lowes this week, too. Buy one get one free.
You should pick some up. You’ll double the size of those little peas in no time!
how many hours/ years those who are being mean to a party elder who has devoted thousands of her free hours, going door to door for all Rep. candidates, for probably half a century: seriously, the disrespect for longtime volunteers needs to stop, it will help accelerate our undoing.. And agree, we just do NOT need an internal party fight this year: also, how would the sheriff do his job right,while dialing for dollars and handling all the crazy and petty day to day issues the thankless Chairman’s job entails? Does anyone realize that at least two other county sheriffs who took on their party chair jobs went to jail?? The two simply do not mix, a Constitutionally- elected officer with a party chair, period- and, it would be bad for Shaun to be up for re-election to both things in two years: could get really ugly.. it is best to stay the course: we have done very well in fundraising and winning with John and Susan: let’s put the personal attacks and grudges aside and “let it be, ” please!
How many campaigns has Shaun ever run, anyway? Is this not his first elective office, funded and planned by the county organization? Has he ever even worked on any political campaign, other than his own? What would he do differently/ better? I can’t think of anything at all. Being a chair is no easy task, one must excel at strategizing all aspects, raising money, dealing with local squabbles daily, and doing opposition research, and being at least one step ahead of the Democrats, through good and bad scenarios, and at all times.. This could turn out to be another Puharic inexperience-disaster,if people don’t watch out- for God’s sake, think- don’t emote!
Maybe he will get the entire family off the taxpayer payroll finally.
OK to have a challenge for county chair, timing sux but the law allows it. Fine to have a debate on the pro’s & con’s. BUT the juvenile personal attacks on Mrs. Nowels are reminiscent of Monmouth RastaMan. Alan is that you? Adam?
Obviously emotions are running high in light of the news that S.Golden is challenging J.Bennett for the chair. Everyone needs to take a step back and breathe for a moment, before things are said that will be regretted. With all due respect, from the looks of it Mrs. Nowels can handle herself just fine. Time to get back to the business at hand.
Does anyone know if Mr. Golden has articulated his reasoning for challenging the chair? Why now?
This could turn out to be another Puharic inexperience-disaster,if people don’t watch out- for God’s sake, think- don’t emote!
I knew Adam Puharic. I served with Adam Purharic. Shaun Golden is no Adam Puharic.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
That is what Gopal is doing right now. Thanks Shaun and Christine. Destroy the party in a critical year.
Surprised we haven’t heard a certain freeholder out prognosticating anyone as the winner yet. Probably just waiting for everyone’s favorite mother-son team to point him in that direction.
Democrats are definitely laughing and they will continue too as stuff like this keeps happening.
-Funky Cold Medina
that there are so many here who are personally attacking Shaun Golden, while at the same time complaining obsessively about “party division” and the like.
On the flip side, I do not see a single comment here that disparages Chairman John Bennett in any way.
After reading through all the above posts, it would seem to be rather apparent where all this “divisiveness” is coming from. Shame on you.
I guess it is ok for challengers to challenge sitting Freeholders but the Chairman is off limits? Sounds a little hypocritical to me.
If John Bennett raised so much money, how come none of it made it to any local municipal races to help win elections or build stronger municipal parties? Even though Gopal is a buffoon, he has been doing just that.
John Bennett had his day. It’s been a good run John but it’s time to move on
some folks have really short memories around here: John raised thousands to roundly defeat the three county candidates’ ( that would be Golden, Arnone and DiMaso)primary challenges last June- over 70 thousand-unheard of- gave them a huge bump, and extra. Are I.D. going into the general: and, maybe your town was not one that got their local competitive race’s info to John in time, to get a free,full color mailer as an in- kind contribution, as a final bump for the whole ticket, but many did, and it helped,and they were appreciated : and again, maybe some are new at this, but the County Chair’s FIRST job is to fund the county races and set it up for a down- ballot positive name I.D. for the locals underneath the county: and that was done very well for these past two years: perhaps John’s only fault as Chair,has been to listen to all, try and help mediate endless local fighting, and try and make peace for the good of the whole party- but some people are too selfish,and it is never enough if it isn’t all about THEM,and all about what THEY and their agendas want!.. It’s the truth..He fulfilled his promises: people demanded by-laws, seats at the table, more say in choosing candidates, more inclusion: they get it, and they are still not happy.. Like spoiled children!- the “me- first”attitude and personal nastiness we have seen the past few years,has and is undermining us as a whole organization: keep,it up, the Dems are watching, listening, and planning our demise, as all this goes on.. But, no one said we are smart enough to admit our mistakes, take one for the team, and, drumroll: WAIT your turn, for God’s sake: there are only so many slots, but at least 10 scrambling, all the time,to stomp on everyone else to get there, NOW.. Sounds like a defeat in the making for the party, if you ask me..
That’s “extra positive name I.D.” (For the general last year.) look at the results: it was a landslide.. Yes, they were good candidates, but the Chair did well for them, too.
all the disparagement of Shaun Golden, the Bennett camp must be worried.
That said, it’s not the candidates that are throwing mud. Shame on you all.
And, has Christine Hanlon’s name actually been linked to this?
Beat the TEA Party Challenge??? Wasnt it Bennett who gave them a seat at the table ffor crying out loud? He let Gonzo have a forum and a seat on his board.
Lets call this what it is. This is Bennett’s chance to get his daughter legal work. Now he is trying for himself. What ever happened to “I will not take any legal work if elected chair?” Now he is “of counsel” asking for work. Besides doesnt he have about 30 part time pension padding jobs which now includes OceanPort Administrator? Oh yeah he tried to keep that legal work too may I remind u all.
These words sound like a hostile takeover to me. Last I heard, John Bennett is running for re-election as county chairman.
Nice loyalties Shaun–or should I say nice loyalties to yourself!!!
that is a good point: John has tried hard to heal the divisions and in doing so, has been betrayed..after trying to include the Teas, they turned right around and ran a slate this the had to spend money to put down. There are several other instances, (they know who they are,) in which some people cried like babies to keep positions, and John let them, then they turn around and plan an unnecessary takeover – one could call that betrayal, ingratitude, or just plain childish selfishness. And,to clarify,John said he would not take county business-if you don’t realize there is always a battle of the law firmS, plural, for all government business, in every county, you are really naive!! Shaun may not be a lawyer, but a few of his most ardent supporters sure are!
Hostile Takeover. That’s too funny.
Tin hats available to rent or buy!
Look me up at my storefront,
All Things Shiny@Ebay•com.
@There ya go”…then they turn around and plan an unnecessary takeover!”
Shall we quibble over strawberries next, Captain Queeg?
Tin hats available to rent or buy!
Look me up at my storefront,
All•Things•Shiny@Ebay•com.
to be so bright and insightful- not! Lol lol lol…
Bennett may have raised a lot of money but you better check the latest bank statements!
Hmmmmm….where did all that money go???
just going on the ELEC website, and reading all the reports of the organization over the past two years? This is not hard. How much do you think running winning primary and general campaigns, giving free help, in the form of in- kind, full- color mailings for several competing towns,( besides for the county,) and staffing and running a full-time headquarters costs, these days, anyway?? Don’t make yourself sound naive or dumb, am sure you are smarter than throwing a silly statement like that out there- when you see the public info on the internet and think about it, especially if you are one who has actually run past campaigns- anyone who has, knows “where the money went!”