Monmouth GOP Chair Race: Bennett vs Hanlon
State Committee Members Set To Face Off
John Bennett
Former Senate President John O. Bennett, III, a present State Committee Member and Christine G. Hanlon, Bennett’s colleague in representing Monmouth County in the State Republican Party are readying for what is likely to be a heated race for the Monmouth County GOP chairmanship.
With Chairman Joe Oxley’s nomination to the Superior Court all but official, both would be chairs are busy lining up support from elected officials and municipal chairs, both with the caveat that they would support Oxley for another term should Governor Chris Christie’s “intent to nominate” notification to the State Senate not become an actual nomination. There is typically a 10 day period before the Governor notifies the Senate of his intent to nominate a judge and the actual nomination being received by the Senate. Christie’s Notice of Intention regarding Oxley was filed on May 3.
By statute, the Chair must be elected on June 12, the first Tuesday after the June 5 primary. County Committee members elected in the primary will cast their votes at a convention.
Former MA Governor Mitt Romney, Christine Hanlon, NJ Governor Chris Christie
Bennett vs Hanlon will be a battle of the sexes and a battle of generations. Bennett, 63, represents the senior generation of the Monmouth GOP’s good and bad “old days”. Hanlon, 44 and a mother of four, who has served as Oxley’s unofficial assistant chairperson for the last four years, represents the recent success of the Monmouth GOP. Both candidates expect a bright future.
“That must have been one of my partners,” Bennett said when asked about the donations by MMM. When told that his firm’s ELEC report attributed the donations to him, Bennett said, “Well, I am the chair of the firm’s Goverment Affairs Department and a lobbyist.”
Why Bennett, who has served as Senate President, Senate Co-President and Acting Governor for three and a half days, would want to be County Chairman has some Republicans scratching their heads. Others say its all about money. That Bennett is fearful of Hanlon and her law partner, Brian Nelson, poaching his legal fees in Monmouth County. Bennett’s firm, Dilworth Paxson, LLP, earned $1.1 million in legal fees from NJ government entities in 2011 and made $48,125 in reportable campaign contributions, according to the firm’s Business Entity Annual Statement filed with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission. Nelson, Supko & Hanlon, LLC earned $614,000 and made reportable contributions of $8,300.
Bennett scoffed at the notion of using the chairmanship for his business. “I don’t need to build my practice any longer. I’m running because its an important job and I could do it well. I want to expand participation in the process, bring back conventions, give everyone who wants to participate an opportunity to do so.
Prior to September 11, 2001, Hanlon was not involved in politics. She was a part time lawyer raising a family and involved in her community of Ocean Township through the Chamber of Commerce and the PTA.
“It all goes back to 9-11,” said Hanlon went asked why she wants to be chair. “I had to get involved to keep our country safe and electing Republicans became my passion.”
Hanlon went on to start the Ocean Township Republican Club and served as its president until becoming the municipal chairperson. In 2008 she served as the Monmouth County coordinator for the McCain campaign took on the same role in the Christie campaign in 2009. She’s worked closely with Oxley to successfully reverse the Democratic trend Monmouth County was facing when he took office in 2008. She serves as the municipal prosecutor in Atlantic Highlands, the Deputy Township Attorney in Tinton Falls and as a Commissioner of the Monmouth County Board of Elections. Governor Christie nominated Hanlon to serve on the NJ Turnpike Authority. The nomination is pending.
More from my site
Oxley’s Nomination To Superior Court Announced By Christie
Who is Christine Hanlon? The Monmouth County GOP Chair’s Race, Part 4
An Open Letter of Thanks
Bennett’s Baggage: The Monmouth GOP Chair’s Race, Part 2
Asbury Park Press Takes Note of Chairmans Races
Curley: “None of the above!”
Bennett’s Rage: The Monmouth GOP Chair’s Race, Part 3- The Candidate’s Partners
Bennett: “I would be interested” in chairmanship
The Chairmanship and Conflicts of Interest
gotta love it…two RINO lawyers battling it out in the name of $$$ for their respective law firms…no room for a grassroots principled conservative movement in Monmouth County. it was fun while it lasted.
I’ll take Christine over Bennett any day. Bennett has too much baggage
Anyone who has spent a significant amount of time at the Monmouth GOP can tell you that Christine is there all the time.
Anybody who has worked for them can tell you that she also calls most of the shots and has been the defacto chairman for all these years. Joe’s just been the name and the face to unite factions and make calls to raise money. Not saying he hasn’t done anything, but Christine wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty and basically ran all aspects of the fundraisers, including the gala. In fact, I’d she basically ran everything in that organization.
I never saw Bennett there once…not even on election day. He just attended fundraisers, sometimes events.
Look for Christie’s people to try and push John out or back Christine. They know that she’s the one whose done all the legwork. I’d expect most of the legislators to back her as well. Maybe not John Curley…maybe some others due to personal vendetta’s (more against Joe probably than Christine) rather than who is the best choice.
Funny as hell that someone called Christine a RINO. I couldn’t tell you what her leanings were and I knew her closely. It didn’t matter to her, she supported the organization and all of its candidates. John? Never really spoke to the guy, barely ever saw him.
This is a no brainer.
we’ll be “Trenton-County”, NJ, with the minions from on-high there, and, the rest of the time, “Middletown- County”, NJ, with the “big 3” Middletown boys pulling her strings, handing out the jobs, and actually making the decisions and making the money,too: well, campers, if that’s ok with the other 52 towns in this county, then, as the country did with its “community-organizing” pres., we can’t help you, and shame on ya: you have short or no memories: the last puppet, ol’ Adam, was a ginormous mistake, I fear this one would be,too- sorry, can’t/won’t go there again: am voting for experience, open-ness, and an all-inclusive organization, so for me, it’s Bennett….
Experience? Hanlon’s praticularly run the organization since 08-09′. Bennett doesn’t have “party running experience.
The organization is open and all-inclusive now if you want to be a part of it. Handing out the jobs? What jobs? There’s only one maybe two paid positions with the county party..and they don’t pay much.
Joe wasn’t a mistake…you can say he shuneed the open process with the nominating county line way..but it worked. And most of the time his preference didn’t even win with county chairs. Look at Bergen, lots of good the open process has done them there..nothing but infighting and a starting trend of losing elections.
If it’s not broke, why fix it?
Schwooops: This is a totally open election, you don’t need to raise signatures or win a primary to be part of it. So any “grassroots principled conservative” who feels misrepresented is free to run. You only need one person to nominate you, no need for a second. And it’s not the exclusive steering committee who’ll pick the winner, it’s an open county convention with potentially over 700 grassroots voters. So anyone who’d like to complain is free to run. You can even nominate yourself at the convention. But you’re right, it’s much easier to just bitch on the forums about how bad everybody else is.
we’ve had many volunteer coordinators/headquarters workers, party faithful who’ve helped all chairs over the years: just because many around today have such a brief frame of reference, and can only recall working with one person, does NOT mean she is ready to lead a whole party.. and, frankly, it ain’t so open and sweet as some make it out to be, am told: why is everyone else locked out of HQ and unable to use it for mtgs., these days? ..when did that happen?.. am told it was her choice: why shouldn’t all towns and GOP groups be allowed to make use of the place we all help raise money to pay for?.. that smells like the dreaded Adam days, when more than a dozen faithful volunteers were literally locked out of HQ and any role in the party, because of the “little Caesar,” kabal- syndrome.. do NOT want those days back, that’s for sure..do NOT want another “young-turks”, “us-exclusive” club mentality again, either..this ill-informed, hard -sell thing is starting to really turn me and many others off: it does not bode well..
I couldn’t think of anyone better suited to be chairperson of this party then Christine Hanlon!
Agree. Christine has been everywhere while Bennett MIA. It is indisputable that she has done more for the county party than anyone in recent history. Christine isn’t Puharic. This isn’t old v. new. She treats everyone who lends a hand with respect, I have seen it first hand. Credit should be given where due.
Bennett’s been raising us lots of money and helping many people and towns, while Joe created and continually promoted his new star, who was willing to bypass or knock off any other candidate/incumbent for any one of the high-paying jobs,asap..it’s the truth..the term “recent” is part of the problem: McCain, Christie, and Oxley: three campaign volunteer years does not a chair make–we been there, done that, failed at it, before..
Bennett has contributed more to Democrats than GOP in Monmouth. Plus, the party doesn’t need his baggage.
Bennett should not only be eliminated from the Chairman nomination he should be removed as our State Committeeman. Someone should also look at how many towns Bennett and his firm represents that also do business with Connor Strong for insurance. That would be his way of taking care of another fine Democrat, George Norcross.
Mrs. Hanlon should make her first priority her 4 small children !
Donations to Democrats ROLF
The success of the Monmouth County Republican Party is determined on it’s current successes, or should be. The past 3 years matter most! At the helm was Oxley and Christine. It’s a no brainer to pick Christine if you want the success to continue.
Don’t re- invent the working wheel. If you put in Bennent, I would suspect it would be an uphill battle to re-build the successful grassroots than is already in place. Think before you act
John is a seasoned political vet. He is the most qualified person for the job, period. He is well respected, smart and honest. John will win this.
John is a seasoned political vet. He is the most qualified person for the job, period. He is well respected, smart and honest. John will win this.
These John Bennett cheerleaders are as bad as the Rullobots. Seasoned political vet. (Didn’t he get creamed by Pappas in the primary for Congress. Pappas was a complete unknown. He lost to Karcher because of his avarice. ) What success has he had in the 21st Century? Give me Dowd if you are going to dredge up relics.
Honest, sure he broke no laws, but that is our standard all of a sudden. How can we complain about the Dem hijinks if we excuse his greedy actions. That 7% pension increase was part of his doing, He could have stopped it but why should he because it was money in his pocket? He could have gotten Abbott repeal on the ballot did he? He could also have gotten an amended Mt Laurel through for referendum did he?
In two real contested elections 1996 primary for Congress and 2003 he got creamed.
I believe those who are involved ACTIVELY with the Party will do the right thing and vote Christine Hanlon in. It’s about time a woman leads the party out in front, not just from behind the scenes.
Spend your time effectively and figure out who you want as Vice Chair. Someone with loyalty, integrity and honesty who would work alongside of Christine in the position, and not silently resenting the Vice position instead of the Chair position, and not minding a woman in the lead position. More importantly, not one who likes to stir trouble behind the scenes, but one who is qualified to take the Party to another successful level. Yes, Gentlemen it’s a tall order, but I’m sure someone’s shoe fits.
Let the”thoughtful” suggestions begin.
Hey PICK A VICE Chair – I’ll go with Hanlon as Chair & Bob Burlew as Vice Chair
Bennett is what this position needs. If we are smart we should take advantage this opportunity to get him while he is still willing. His experience is second to none and as for his passion for government…Attend his MSU class on local government or talk to him for 5 minutes and you’ll see how much he loves his government, party, state and Monmouth County.
He was extremely effective Senator and unites people to get results. We can not let this opportunity get away.
Is John Costigan still around?
Costigan/Hanlon
Costigan? Are you serious? he is a terrible local chairman. Has nearly split the party in Howell. Has raised no money and routinely opposes his own governing body. He would be a disaster.
Steve Corodemus for Vice Chair
STEVE CORODEMUS FOR CHAIR!!!!!!!!
Sheriff Golden For Vice Chair
for Chair- and ok, Hanlon for Vice Chair, if Gooch no longer available.. best of the “worlds”, at this juncture.. anyone else, sorry, not seasoned or qualified enough..also, we do not yet know how well-qualified or financed the new Dem leadership will be in this county, we have to think of that..work it out, do an acclamation voice- vote, save money on voting machines and staffing, thereby, stopping all the vitriol and taking of sides, and move on to working for victories, top to bottom, this election cycle..
What constitutes quailfied?
Qualified constitutes what????
John Bennett or Steve Corodemus
“qualified,” in terms of running a partisan, political organization, MEANS :the successful leading,running,strategizing,fundraising, and carrying out, all aspects of obtaining WINNING results,at either local municipal,county,state, contested races, county committee races, being a winning candidate for any office themselves-hell, even a past student council officer who had to campaign hard to get it,or win a volunteer organization leadership post, helps!..
Solly ‘me’: not to mislead … how well I know “qualified”…. !!! Both John Bennett & Steve Corodemus …….. “QUALIFIED”..! Baffles me why your detailed explanation doesn’t warrant using your name. “Chicken” only deserves top billing on a dinner menu!
No vice-chair for Hanlon!! Why? So she can do all the work and Bennett phone it in. He had a good run, now it’s over. Too much baggage. Why does he even want this?? If Christine’s name was “Chris” this would be over!!
Still waiting for anyone to deny the fact that John has been basically MIA for the past few years and hasn’t done anything besides show up to a few fundraisers (you know the ones that Christine ran).
All these candidates are great Republicans but the nature of this position requires experience. Let’s not forget what this position is; This is a party position to support, mentor and unite fellow Republicans with campaigns, careers and issues. It would be to our advantage to have someone who has held a significant office and been battle tested. We need someone who has “been there” and “done that”.
And please, lets lay off the personal attacks. Let’s not forget who we are; a unite Grand Old Party looking for the best qualified person for the job regardless of religion, race, age or gender.
Corodemeus would be great but is to smart to take the job.
Quite frankly this race is already over. Christine already has a large majority of the elected officials behind her and probably has the support of the majority of the chairman. If Bennet has his name submitted he will be beat badley.
He will not want that embarrasment and I predict he will back out.
Oh and one other thing. If he thinks having a fund raiser for Anna will get him the tea party sympathisers on the committee then he is too dumb to be Chairman. If you don’t think that is what he is doing ask yourself this. Where was Bennett when Anna ran 2 years ago?
Christine Hanlon. It should be a no- brainer. She has been Joe’s right hand for years. She will have the support of the majority, I believe. She is definitely qualified, well experienced, well liked, fair, organized, heads major fundraisers successfully, smart and a woman who has earned respect of both men and women in tbe party. To pick anyone else is an injustice to the Monmouth County Republican Club as a whole. Good Luck Christine, many are behind you! It should be a landslide and others should bow out gracefully, and admit Christine deserves the Chair position. Why stir the pot needlessly, disrupting the success of the Party today?
OK, well I was at the last selection committee and it was a JOKE!! She may be a worker bee but she is NOT a leader!! Heck if we want a woman, GP would make a far better chair woman then her any day, GP has proven herself a leader again and again!!
The monmouth GOP choose a candidate that committed voter fraud…. He lives in asbury for 9 years and never changed his voter registration… I was blaming JO, but after reading this I realize this was an EGG issue… CH got her revenge on AL, sad… really. NO way has Monmouth has ever chosen a candidate that didn’t bleed and sweat for the GOP, this was personal and I blame CH.
We need a process like Middlesex has, where the count committee actually have a say.
We need JB!! and a VC GP!!
….
OK, well I was at the last selection committee and it was a JOKE!! She may be a worker bee but she is NOT a leader!! Heck if we want a woman, GP would make a far better chair woman then her any day, GP has proven herself a leader again and again!!
The monmouth GOP choose a candidate that committed voter fraud…. He lives in asbury for 9 years and never changed his voter registration… I was blaming JO, but after reading this I realize this was an EGG issue… CH got her revenge on AL, sad… really. NO way has Monmouth has ever chosen a candidate that didn’t bleed and sweat for the GOP, this was personal and I blame CH.
We need a process like Middlesex has, where the count committee actually have a say.
We need JB!! and a VC GP!!
I’m sure it’s no surprise that I am supporting Christine Hanlon for County Chair.
I succeeded her as President of the Greater Ocean Township Republican Club and I am her Vice Chair in Ocean Township.
She is a dedicated and tireless organizer for our County party. Joe Oxley has been a successful Chairman, in large part, because he knew to rely on Christine to get things done. That is her strength. She gets things done. She has been a key part of the structure and leadership of our County organization during Joe Oxley’s Chairmanship.
She does not get bogged down in party squabbles. She’s too busy. Two years ago, she supported Diane Gooch for Congress. When Anna Little won the Republican Primary, Christine supported her. Anna Little was the Republican nominee and that was all that mattered. I know because Christine had me running phone banks in Ocean for Anna two years ago.
And let me be blunt, Christine Hanlon can be a real pain in the ass. Anyone who demands results has to be. I have been working with her out of Ocean for six years now and I know, every election cycle that I will get that call from her. It’s the call that tells me what needs to get done to get the required results. It’s the call that lays out expectations with the determination that no excuses will be accepted and the confidence that none will be given.
Organization. Energy. Determination. Confidence and Results. These are all qualities I look for in someone who wants to lead our party.
In my opinion, John Bennett is willing to settle for being County Chair because he knows he will never win another elective office again. Christine truly aspires to be our County Chair. To me, that makes a huge difference.
make no mistake, that’s largely what this is about..Bennett’s firm has contracts statewide, does not need Monmouth, and I bet would be willing to recuse and give up the few Monmouth ones.. CH means the building up of a relatively new local firm, and many local pots to seek and take from.. is that ok with people?.. we will see..CH also means/brings us BN, PC, and JK- why must we all be ruled by Middletown, when there are 52 other towns who count?..please, let us get beyond personalities and grudges, (which our party is very good at perpetuating to the death), and think hard, as to which is really healthier, more open, and welcoming to others,in the long run.. this is no time for exclusivity, and on-the-job training: vote for Bennett….
look, after a long and good career,John does not really “need” to be chair, anyone who has been through more then one chair’s term, knows it is an unpaid, worky, difficult and aggravating duty and job..this current crop of “newbies”, both on the elected and volunteer fronts, from 2008 til now, has absolutely NO frame of reference as to how rough it can get, nor have most of them worked hard at the ground level as well as at the decision-making level, (you need both),and therefore are unprepared for what can be merciless attacks and problems.. John is battle-tested- folks: listen: it ain’t always gonna be a joyful 2011 result for the Monmouth GOP, the demographics show this.. I want experience and openness this go-round, so the choice is Bennett for the next two years: thru Presidential and Gubernatorial- then, we’ll re-assess, and see if he warrants another term..please,THINK, don’t EMOTE!..
I hear ya, and am with ya!!!-you’ve captured the essence of what several believe and have said- give Bennett the next two years, then we’ll see how things are going then.. Christine will show she is not just in this for advancement for herself and her firm, if she continues her volunteering under a Bennett chairmanship and doesn’t take her ball and go home, because someone finally told her “no!”..leadership: it’s also a test of selfLESSness and character..so,there’s the challenge!..
battle of the law firms.
You don’t really understand how life works do you. Johns firm may have contacts statewide and not “need” Bennetts Monmouth County work but John does. If it were not for that work Bennett would not be with them. If he lost that work tomorrow his firm would not say OK come work on these matters for clients other Lawyers brought in. No, the response would be BYE BYE. Lawyers eat what they kill or they go hungry. Oh and I don’t deny that Hanlon will get the same benefits to her law firm. That is why it is usually lawyers who want the job. The job requires an immense amount of time and a lawyer, unlike most people, can get a pay-off for all that work.
Let me get this correct, we can get John Bennett who has Assembly, Senator, Senate President and Acting Governor experience?
OMG!!!!!!!!!! ARE YOU KIDDING???
Are we sure it’s the real John Bennett or is it just someone with the same name like the Micheal Jordan commercial?
with all due respect, and I’m sure you have been around for a while, you sometimes make some good points, I am quite certain I could match you year for year/ type of involvement, etc., but my major point was: Hanlon’s lawfirm is newer and more anxious to build up their local business, make no mistake..how she could manage that, plus all the local jobs, plus a paid county job, her large famikly commitments, etc., and still do a credible chair’s job, is troublesome to many.. Bennett can, at this point in his career, take or leave local business, form his own firm, fully retire, or do whatever he wants, which to me is a big plus, he can spare more time and energy on/for the county party…. as a more hungry, (we won’t go to “greedy,” unless proven otherwise), the lady’s firm and it’s partners will be basically running the whole county show, mostly out of, and mainly for, Middletown-it’s happened before.. if that’s ok with the majority of rank and file, we will see..and, to those who do not respect the many levels and years of experience of a Sen. Bennett, you unfortunately just show your naive view of politics so far, with ignorance and incompetence, should the going get rough, which, inevitably it does, and will..
Funny how “the many levels and years of experience” did not reap Bennett a Superior Court nomination. I mean, after all, he has far more experience than even Joe Oxley let alone Christine Hanlon … and yet, even with all those credentials ….. nada.
Enough with the misogyny and other nonsense about Middletown. The woman is clearly the leader we need. She’s performed every task set before her for years with aplomb, sincerity, strength and likability and assisted Chairman Oxley in getting winning results. She knows how to bring out the best in people and get the job done. Let’s keep the Monmouth GOP moving forward and not take a dark ominous turn to the past.
a return to the politics of personal destruction that her partner is sooo good at.. like, the new clique allowing only their friends,exclusively.. like, nit knowing how to handle a tough election or raise enough money.. yes, correct, sure don’t want to return to those days.. some people have very limited memories and zero frames of reference, for sure..
Dear “TR, said at 1:06 pm on May 14th, 2012” .
First I doubt you have been around as long as I have. Not many have. ( maybe I am wrong there are a couple of elected officials around longer then me and there are a lot of old folk homes in Monmouth County)
You say, “Bennett can, at this point in his career, take or leave local business, form his own firm, fully retire, or do whatever he wants” really. What makes you thing he would? Has he pledged that?
I am a big believer in history. Bennett has a history of using his political clout to get as much legal business as he can. He has a long standing reputation in the political community of being greedy. Now once again I am not saying that Hanlon’s firm won’t do the same thing. That is what lawyers do. But do not try to sugar coat what Bennett is all about. I support Hanlon because of history. 1. Bennett lost a congressional primary 2. Bennett lost a safe republican seat and caused the loss of at least two assembly seats. 3. Bennett has made a lot of enemys because of the aforementioned greed. 4, Bennett was a powerful party leader during Bid Rig. I am not saying he had anything to do with, I am sure he did not, but he was one of the few people involved in picking candidates and running the party at the time. It happened on his watch. 5. On the State level he worked against Schundler for Governor and was a prime mover of changing the method by which legislative districts work. Those changes have given Democrats an advantage. Not to mention he was Senate president during the time that many of the fiscal policies our current Governor has had to fix were implemented. 6. Finally he is distinctly not a conservative Republican.
Considering all that baggage I say let’s give someone fresh and new a shot at the job.