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Scharfenberger to run for Assembly

Gerry Scharfenberger

MMM has learned that Monmouth County Freeholder Gerry Scharfenberger will seek the Republican nomination for State Assembly in the 13th legislative district for the seat currently held by Assemblywoman Amy Handlin.  Handlin announced last fall that she will not seek reelection.

Scharfenberger is expected to join Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso on the top the the ballot in LD 13 in the June 4 primary and the November 5 general election.  DiMaso filed her petition for the nomination last week.

A former Middletown Township Committee member, Scharfenberger joined the Freeholder Board last February to fill the vacancy created by DiMaso’s election to the Assembly.  He was elected last November to complete the term which ends this year.

Seantor Declan O’Scanlon and DiMaso welcomed Scharfenberger to their team.

“I am so proud to have Gerry as my running mate,” DiMaso said in a statement to MMM. “He has dedicated years to serving Middletown and Monmouth County.  I have complete faith that he will bring that knowledge to the Assembly.”

“I’ve gotten to see Gerry Scharfenberger in action, and work with him over many years,” O’Scanlon said. “There is no more dedicated and effective public servant.  I don’t say that lightly because I get to work with a lot of good people.  Gerry is special.  I am thrilled to have him as part of our District 13 team.”

Scharfenberger’s decision to run for Assembly creates an opening for a Freeholder candidate to be Director Tom Arnone and Sheriff Shaun Golden’s running mate in November.  Potential candidates being talked about are Wall Township Committeemen Nick DiRocco and Kevin Orender.  Shrewsbury Borough Mayor Erik Anderson’s name is in the mix.  Golden, the Monmouth GOP Chairman, is expected to announce his choice of running mate at the annual Lincoln Day Dinner next Friday night in Freehold.

 

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Posted: February 1st, 2019 | Author: | Filed under: Monmouth County, Monmouth County News | Tags: , , , , , , | 10 Comments »

10 Comments on “Scharfenberger to run for Assembly”

  1. It’ll be Wall. said at 7:53 am on February 1st, 2019:

    Better get two strong names for LD11 Assembly- they will be at the top of roughly 1/3 of the county.. ‘19 not a walk in the park…

  2. That's great said at 7:55 am on February 1st, 2019:

    Now all we need is 50 more like him and maybe New Jersey will have a chance to survive. Best of luck Freeholder!

  3. Thank God! said at 2:36 pm on February 1st, 2019:

    I was hoping for this all along. This guy is the real deal and is exactly what we need in an off-year election. Time to Rally around the ticket and keep Monmouth County red

  4. About time said at 3:43 pm on February 1st, 2019:

    we had a conservative down there. He will do fine, agree we need to add more, or we don’t matter…

  5. Tim H said at 9:26 am on February 4th, 2019:

    So no convention to pick the new Freeholder candidate? That person just gets picked in some back room by bosses? So much for transparency in the party. What a bunch of bull. HAVE A CONVENTION AND LET CC BE INVOLVED!

  6. Art Gallagher said at 9:32 am on February 4th, 2019:

    There will be a convention, Tim. The CC will likely endorse Golden’s nominee by acclamation.

  7. Tim H said at 9:43 am on February 4th, 2019:

    That’s helpful but why come out now and skew the race? Let the convention take course before making these announcements intended to clear the field and keep potential candidates out of the race. Highly unfortunate as intent of making announcement now is to end the race and make CC a puppet show. Some things never change.

  8. Well. said at 12:30 pm on February 4th, 2019:

    Let’s face it, names mentioned so far are not household ones around the county, in the party, or anywhere but their town- maybe.. it is still America: nothing stops anybody from seeking support, getting signatures on petitions, and sending in letters of intent- before the convention, though. You want to run? Tell people, now. You have a good candidate, spill the name-but, soon!

  9. Tim H said at 11:04 pm on February 4th, 2019:

    Will be low turnout year so we need BEST candidates possible. People we should be recruiting or considering include:

    * Former LT Gov Kim G. Gives her a safe, elected office platform. Some may say step back but being in the minority in assembly is a sleeper move too.

    * Barbara McMorrow. A beloved figure who is an excellent public servant.

    * Anthony Amiano. He’s a winner and a workhorse. Experienced.

    * Rob Nicastro. Has guts and can raise money. Big town. Close to the chairman.

    * Rob Clifton. Was great Freeholder and had to be bored to death in the do-nothing minority assembly.

    There are others for sure. Its a low turnout year and Gopal and his crew will be working super hard. We need experienced winners that will send a message to the D’s we’re not fooling around.

  10. Try and said at 11:40 pm on February 4th, 2019:

    convince the top three- they’ve said no, more than we can count.Several good candidates aren’t allowed to run, by their jobs, also.. Rob may be bored, but we need his youth in that district- the other two in the district are getting up there… Absent the terrific Susan Cohen from Manalapan, who also has refused many times, my guess is, mostly GOP Wall will take it- we need their turnout..agree Gopal is very dangerous to us, now and going forward…