Bennett Doubles Down On Ethics Questions, Challenges Golden To A Debate

Monmouth County Republican Chairman John Bennett wrote to Sheriff Shaun Golden today, reiterating his concerns about the potential ethical questions raised by Manalapan GOP Chairman Steve McEnery and Freehold Republican Chairman Anthony Graziano and challenged Golden to a debate to which all County Committee Members would be invited.

Bennett did not offer to buy breakfast, lunch or dinner for those attending the debate, but he was agreeable to MMM publisher Art Gallagher moderating.

Bennett’s letter can be viewed here.

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Bennett: McEnery-Graziano Letter Raises Legitimate Issue. Says Golden Went Negative

Golden: “I’m not going into the weeds with with John… Let’s talk about the future of our Party”

Monmouth County Republican Chairman John Bennett said that the letter released to MMM by the municipal party chairmen of Manalapan and Freehold Township raising ethical concerns about Shaun Golden serving as both County Sheriff and the GOP County Chairman was not a negative attack on Golden.  Rather, Bennett said, “They raised an legitimate issue that could very well impact that Party and the Freeholders. We may be giving the Democrats an issue that we don’t need to give them.”

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Golden Cites NJ Court Case Affirming Sheriffs’ Right To Hold Party Office In Rebuke Of McEnery and Graziano

Shaun Golden

Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden issued a strong rebuke to Manalpan GOP Chairman Steve McEnery and Freehold Township Republican Chairman Anthony Graziano for violating President Ronald Reagan’s 11th Commandment with a false and malicious smear that he characterized as “a clear act of desperation.”

Responding to a letter McEnery and Graziano released to MMM this morning in which the chairmen raised ethical questions about the prospect of Golden serving as Sheriff and Monmouth Republican Chairman simultaniously, Golden cited the 1978 Appellate Division decision in Lanzo v.DeMarino wherein the Court ruled that there is no conflict in the duties of a County Sheriff and a municipal chairman in a letter to both men.  Golden’s letter can be found here.

Golden called upon his opponent in the Chairman’s race, incumbent John O. Bennett III, to implore his supporters, “as I have mine, to keep it positive and publicly disavow this personal negative and incorrect attack.”

Golden wrote:

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Manalapan and Freehold Township GOP Chairs Raise Ethical Questions About Golden Serving As Sheriff and GOP County Chairman Simultaniously

Golden welcomes Ethics Debate with Bennett

Freehold Township GOP Chairman Anthony Graziano

The municipal Republican Chairmen of Manalapan and Freehold have raise ethical questions about the prospect of Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden serving as both Sheriff an d as the Chairman of the Monmouth County Republican Organization.

In a letter addressed to County Committee Members and sent to MMM, Steve McEnery, Chair of the Manalapan GOP and Anthony Graziano, Chair of the Freehold Township Republicans, raise questions about Golden’s ability to comply with New Jersey’s Local Governments Ethics Law, NJ 40A:9-22.5, unless he has received an advisory opinion from the Local Finance Board in the Department of Community Affairs.  The letter can be viewed here.

The chairmen challenged Golden to release the advisory opinion demonstrating the permissibility of him serving in both offices or explain to County Committee Members why he did not engage in simple due diligence if he did not receive such an opinion.

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Wall Elected Officials Back Golden

Shaun Golden

Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden has picked up the endorsements of the elected officials from a third large municipality in his quest to replace John O. Bennett III as the Chairman of the Monmouth County Republican Organization.

Mayor Clint Hoffman, Deputy Mayor George Newberry and Township Committee Members Ann Marie Conte, Jeff Foster and Todd Luttman, the entire governing body of Wall Township, signed a letter on Wall Township Republican Organization letterhead and addressed to Monmouth County Republicans today, strongly endorsing Golden for Chairman.  Their letter can be found here.

The Wall governing body joins the elected officials of Middletown and Howell in supporting Golden.

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Golden: Passion and pride, not personal gain, will grow the Monmouth GOP

Sheriff Shaun Golden

Speaking at the first of three breakfast meetings he has scheduled for Monmouth Republican County Committee members, Sheriff Shaun Golden said this morning that he started to considering seeking the Monmouth GOP Chairmanship over a year ago, even if it meant challenging incumbent John Bennett, because of the decline of participation and enthusiasm he observed as he attended Republican events across the county.

“We have over 200 vacant county committee seats,” Golden declared, “that’s nearly an all time high.  That’s our base that’s shrinking.”

Golden said that he would bring back monthly breakfast meetings, scheduled regionally, fill the vacant county committee seats and and bring new growth the Republican Clubs in the Monmouth County municipalities.

“Communication is the key to growth and new enthusiasm.  We can’t update our website and email newsletters only before a Chairman’s election. It is embarrassing that our 2013 candidates were featured on our site until just recently.  Our opponents see that.   We need to increase our use of electronic communication, our website, email and social media to increase our base, expand participation and get our great message out. We need to communicate and reach out constantly, not just before a convention.”

“I am passionate about our Party.  It is passion and pride that will have us grow, not personal gain.  I have nothing to gain personally, I won’t make more money by doing this,” Golden said.

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Bennett’s Undetered By Golden’s Endorsements

John Bennett

Monmouth County Republican Chairman John Bennett told MMM that he continues to be upbeat and positive about his chances for reelection on June 10, despite the endorsements of the municipal elected officials in Middletown and Howell going to his opponent in the GOP Chairman’s race, Sheriff Shaun Golden.

“Those were elected officials, not county committee members or municipal chairmen,” Bennett said, “I expect to get quite a few county committee votes from those towns. Those endorsements were not surprising to me.”

The chairman said he expected a similar endorsement for Golden to come out of Wall Township. “Its not over until its over,”he said,  “I am remaining upbeat and positive. I’m keeping the campaign positive and I hope the other side does as well.”

Wall Township Municipal Chairwomen Mary DeSarno declined to comment.

Bennett said one of the elected officials who endorsed Golden told him that he/she was unaware Bennett was running for reelection when the Golden endorsement was made.

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Pezzullo Backs Bennett

Rich Pezzullo

The last man who challenged an incumbent John Bennett is sticking with the Monmouth County Republican Chairman in his race against Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden.

Rich Pezzullo, a candidate for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate in the June 3 primary, told Save Jersey that he’s all in for Bennett to continue to lead the Monmouth GOP.

“He is the Republican in Monmouth county who has known me as a political figure the longest – almost 20 years,” Pezzullo told Save Jersey on Thursday. “He’s set a good example for me as a professional, politician and organizer. I’ve seen him in his roles as a political opponent and political partner. I’ve known him as he grieved the loss of his father, gave his daughters off to marriage and celebrated the birth of his grandchildren. It would be hard to have so much respect for a person and entertain the thought of not supporting him when his record is full of committed service, personal sacrifice and genuine accomplishments.”

Pezzullo, of Freehold, challenged Bennett in the GOP primary for State Senate in 2003 in what was then the 12th legislative district.  Bennett was the Senate Co-President with Senator Richard Cody in the 20-20 Senate during the first two years of the McGreevey Administration.   Bennett spent $350,000 to beat back Pezzullo’s challenge and the Asbury Park Press, which made Bennett’s $8,000 billing error as Marlboro Township Attorney and nepotism in his legislative office front page news for months.

Bennett prevailed against Pezzullo in the 2003 primary but lost his Senate seat to Ellen Karcher, then Marlboro’s Council President, that November and the GOP lost their equal footing with the Democrats in the Senate.

Pezzullo has the Monmouth County Republican line in his U.S. Senate primary race against Jeff Bell, Brian Goldberg and Murray Sabrin.

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Howell elected officials endorse Golden for Monmouth GOP Chairman

Sheriff Shaun Golden

Sheriff  Shaun Golden now has the public support of the Republican elected official in Monmouth County two largest municipalities in his bid to replace John Bennett as Monmouth County’s Republican Chairman.

Howell Mayor William Grotto, Deputy Mayor Robert Nicastro and Council Members Bob Walsh, Pauline Smith and Edward Guz, the entire governing body, all signed an Open Letter endorsing Golden and urging County Committee members to elect the Sheriff as Chairman at the GOP convention on June 10.

Howell Township’s Mayor William Gotto and Council are writing to you with our utmost  support and endorsement of Shaun Golden for Chairman of the Monmouth County  Republican Organization. We have worked closely with Shaun over the past five years as Sheriff of Monmouth County and he has demonstrated the devotion, resiliency and confidence the Republican Party needs to overcome the challenges we face ahead.

Shaun has proven his ability to work collaboratively with others, exploring new and innovative ways to communicate with citizens and voters. He is an effective, efficient
leader who can inspire, unify and motivate everyone around him.

Shaun is a proven fundraiser, having raised substantial dollars for campaigns as well as charitable organizations throughout the County and State. Shaun has provided
tremendous leadership to our municipalities, not only working with towns to rebuild after super storm Sandy, but also helping municipal candidates with financial and personal support. Shaun leads with the dedication, charisma and conviction that can move the masses.

Shaun’s proven leadership and vision will ensure that we can continue to meet the needs of our organization. We, the Monmouth Republicans, have much to be proud of and thankful for. We owe a great deal of gratitude to so many past Chairman and Chairwoman who have led this organization on a mission we all believe in and each time
leaving it a little better for the next Chairperson. We believe the best days still lie ahead and look forward to a greater future under Shaun’s leadership.
We ask each of you to please join us in voting for Shaun Golden on Tuesday, June 10th for Monmouth County Republican Chairmen an and make the Monmouth County Republican Party even better than it is today.

“I am honored and humbled by the support of my hometown’s elected officials,” Golden said in a phone interview with MMM, “Chairs and county committee members from throughout the county, large towns and small, are responding positively to my vision for our Party and for even better government for Monmouth County and its municipalities. The response makes me very excited for our future.”

Walsh told MMM that the letter was sent to us for publication and would be mailed to the Republican Municipal Chairs next week. A copy of the letter can be viewed here.

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Bennett and Golden pledge positive campaign

John Bennett and Shaun Golden kicked off their respective campaigns for the Monmouth GOP Chairmanship last week on a positive note and each man said he wants a positive campaign.

Sheriff Shaun Golden

Golden, the Monmouth County Sheriff, is challenging the incumbent Bennett for the opportunity to lead the Monmouth County Republican Committee for the next two years.  The election will take place on June 10 at iPlayAmerica in Freehold.

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