Bennett Announces For Monmouth GOP Chair

John Bennett

Former Senate President John O. Bennett, III announced his candidacy for Monmouth County Republican Chairman this afternoon.   The following letter is being mailed to members of the Monmouth County Republican Committee:

I wanted to reach all of you as soon as possible after the Governor’s nomination of our County Chair, Joseph Oxley, to the Monmouth County Superior Court.  Joe has served our County and Party well and will be an excellent Judge.  As a result of his appointment, a new County Chair will need to be elected at our County Reorganization Meeting to be held on June 12, 2012, at the Colts Neck High School at 7:00 pm.  I would like you to support me to fill that vacancy.  I would consider the position of County Chair to be both an honor and a capstone to a very fulfilling political career. 

I have been in public service for over 30 years, and I believe my extensive experience and background will serve the County Committee well.  You will find a short resume enclosed that highlights my political life from Chairman of the Young Republicans of Monmouth County to my current position of Treasurer of the New Jersey Republican State Committee.

A few points that I wanted to share with you which I feel are important for our party.

            1)         I believe in the County Convention System for candidate selection.

            2)         Every effort should be made to fill as many county Committee slots as possible.

3)         A working set of bylaws will be established within 60 days of my becoming County Chair.

4)         I pledge to forego all County legal work during my term as chair.  My daughter, Meghan Bennett Clark, Esq., is currently the First Assistant County Counsel, and  has agreed to resign immediately upon my selection as Chair.

5)         Neither I, nor any member of my law firm, will take any paid appointments from the County during my term as Chair.  The perception of any conflicts must be removed, and no County chair should be employed by the County in any capacity.

6)         There needs to be improved communication between the County party and the local parties.  I will establish a working Board of Directors from throughout the County to report back to the Chair regarding issues and events and  regular meetings will  be held.

7)         Headquarters in Freehold should be open and available to all Monmouth County GOP groups.

8)         Our  website, www.monmouthrepublican.org, must be updated and kept current.

9)         Every effort should be made to value differences of opinion and have internal disputes resolved privately.

10)       Last, but certainly not least,  the County Party must refocus on raising money.  During my tenure as Senate President I raised more money than any other Republican in that time except for a sitting Governor.  The Chair needs to participate, while also abiding by all pay-to-play rules and negotiations.

I am asking for your support as County Chair in order to implement this platform and keep Monmouth County strong and Republican.  Together we can make a difference. 

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    John O. Bennett                                 

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HANLON ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR MONMOUTH COUNTY REPUBLICAN CHAIR

Republican State Committeewoman would be first female Republican Chair in Monmouth County History

OCEAN TWP.- Monmouth Republican State Committeewoman and Ocean Township Municipal Chair Christine Hanlon today formally announced her candidacy for Monmouth County Republican Chair. Hanlon, an attorney, has assisted Chairman Joe Oxley with the administration of the County Republican Party in recent years. She served as County Coordinator for the McCain-Palin campaign in 2008 and the Christie-Guadagno campaign in 2009. If elected, Hanlon will be the first female Republican Chair in Monmouth County history.

“Through my work on recent county-wide campaigns, I have become intimately familiar with and fully engaged in the inner workings and administration of our county Republican organization,” said Hanlon, who has the backing of most of the party leadership in the County.” I have worked hard to develop a strong grassroots volunteer network throughout the county, to increase communication from the organization, and to implement the use of technology and social media to advance voter outreach.”

“Monmouth Republicans will have a clear choice. We can move backward, or we can move forward. While we must honor our past, we must continue to move forward without the weight of past issues that can distract us from our mission,” concluded Hanlon.

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Little Still Not Registered With FEC As A Candidate For Congress

10 days since MMM reported that Anna Little was a candidate for U.S. Senate and had terminated her candidacy for Congress as far as the Federal Election Commission is concerned, the former Highlands Mayor has yet to file a Statement of Organization.

Little terminated her Anna C. Little for Congress committee on April 2, 10 days after she was awarded the Middlesex GOP endorsement for the 6th Congressional District primary.   She filed a Statement of Organziation for U.S. Senate on February 13.   There is no active record on Little being a candidate for the House of Representative with the FEC, as of this writing.

Ernesto Cullari, the Monmouth GOP nominee in the CD-6 primary, filed his Statement of Organization on March 26.

Little’s treasurer, Brett Rappaport has yet to respond to an inquiry from the May 6 story.  Little’s former treasurer, Jane Frotton, said she had nothing to do with the FEC reports, despite her signature.  She also said to stop picking on Anna.

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Oxley’s Nomination To Superior Court Announced By Christie

Photo credit: Scarcini, Hollenbeck

Governor Chris Christie nominated Monmouth County Republican Chairman Joe Oxley to the Superior Court this afternoon.

Oxley, who will complete his second term as Monmouth GOP Chair upon the election of his successor on June, 12, is a graduate of the University of Maryland and Delaware Law School.   He was elected Monmouth County Sheriff in 1995 after defeating William Lanzaro in the GOP primary and served as Sheriff until 2007.   He is a partner in the Scarinci Hollenbeck law firm and an adjunct professor at Monmouth University.

Oxley was elected Chairman by acclamation in June of 2008.  After narrowly losing control of the Monmouth County Freeholder Board in the Obama election of 08, Oxley brought stability and three straight victorious elections to a previously divided party.  He will leave his successor with a 5-0 Freeholder Board and an entirely Republican legislative delegation.

Oxley’s nomination has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee for a confirmation hearing.

Former Senate President John Bennett and State Committeewoman Christine Hanlon are running to replace Oxley as Monmouth GOP Chair.

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Bennett: “I would be interested” in chairmanship

Former Senate President John O. Bennett, III told MMM that he is interested in seeking the Monmouth County GOP Chairmanship.

“I’ve declined many times in the past and I support Joe Oxley as Chairman,” said Bennett, “however if he becomes a judge, I would be interested. ”

Bennett said he would talk it over with his family before moving forward.

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Oxley to be nominated to Superior Court

Photo credit: Scarcini, Hollenbeck

Governor Chris Christie has notified the State Senate of his intention to nominate Monmouth County Republican Chairman Joe Oxley to a seat on the Superior Court.

Gannett’s Michael Symons broke the news yesterday on the Capital Quickies blog.  The nomination was not included in the Governor’s email announcement of appointments and nominations yesterday but appears under Senate nominations on the legislature’s website.  Hat tip to Symons for thorough reporting.

Rumors of Oxley being appointed to the Monmouth County Vicinage were feverish throughout the Monmouth County legal community last November when the State Police was calling Oxley’s associates as part of the background check required before a judicial nomination.

Oxley told MMM at the time that unless the nomination was official, he would seek a third term as Chairman.   It appears to be official and the Monmouth GOP would appear to be heading into a race for a new Chairman on June 12th

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Cullari not deterred by GOP Split in Congressional District 6, New Jersey

East Brunswick, NJ –   On March 16, the Monmouth County GOP selected Ernesto Cullari as their choice to defeat Frank Pallone.  Saturday, March 24, the Middlesex GOP voted Anna Little to take their line, making it clear they had no intentions of keeping the party in district 6 united during the most trying election cycle of our time.  

As of two weeks ago, Little was fiercely running for US Senate against Joe Kyrillos.  She campaigned by asking for donations and signatures from supporters.   Knowing her obvious failure, Little then decided to run against newcomer Ernesto Cullari.  Her decision came just days after Cullari’s announcement.

In 2010, Little was defeated by over 10% by incumbent Democrat, Frank Pallone. 

“It’s a shame we are dealing with a split line in District 6.  With the ballot having Obama on top this year, it would have been better for the Middlesex GOP to unite through the primary.  On Tuesday, June 5th the voters in both counties will decide which Republican they want to represent them against Frank Pallone.  After Anna Little’s approximate 10% loss in 2010, and failed U.S. Senate run, I think the choice will be clear to them.  Ernesto Cullari is focused on one thing; beating Frank Pallone in November and returning the position to the constituency of district 6”, said, Charles Measley, Campaign Manager.

“My team and I are undeterred that the Middlesex County GOP did not vote in our favor, but this in no way means we will back down.  Monmouth County GOP has put their trust in me to defeat Frank Pallone in November and that is what I intend to do.”  Congressional Candidate, Ernesto Cullari.  

Ernesto Cullari is a businessman, medical professional, and columnist for local newspapers. Ernesto is prepared to take the fight to Jersey’s most corrupt politician and the author of “Obama-Care”, Frank Pallone. 

For more information on Cullari for Congress you can find us on facebook at facebook.com/cullariforcongress and on twitter at twitter.com/ernestocullari or visit our website at www.CullariforCongress.com.

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Just a Little Duplicity

Anna Little continues to claim support that she doesn’t have for her fledgling efforts to get on the ballot as candidate for federal office this fall.

In an email blast this morning, Little claimed she would be marching in the Highlands St. Patrick’s parade on Saturday with the Bayshore Tea Party Group.    BTPG is not marching in the parade and has not endorsed Little’s quest for the GOP nomination for Congress from the 6th District.  Little was forced to issue a retraction email and post on her facebook page.

Earlier this week, Little claimed she had the support of GOP leaders for congressional candidacy, despite the fact that she lost the Monmouth GOP endorsement to Ernesto Cullari on Friday March 16th.

Last December, Little listed endorsements she received during her 2010 congressional run on her U.S. Senate campaign website, as if they were endorsements for her ill fated Senate bid against Joe Kyrillos.

If the Middlesex County GOP endorses Little at the convention on Saturday morning, the Republican nomination for Congress in the 6th district against Frank Pallone will be split in the June primary, with Cullari the endorsed GOP candidate on Monmouth County ballots and Little the endorsed candidate on Middlesex County ballots. 

Little has the support of Middlesex County Chairman, Senator Sam Thompson, and is expected to prevail on Saturday.

Thompson and the Middlesex GOP should consider themselves forewarned.  Those who know Little best have decided not to endorse her candidacy.   The reasons listed above are just the tip of the iceberg.

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Little Announces For Congress, Claims GOP Support

Anna Little announced her candidacy for Congress from the 6th district this morning in an email blast that also sought petition signatures, campaign volunteers and donations.

Little claimed that support from unnamed “GOP leaders” was instrumental in her decision to abandon her U.S. Senate primary campaign against Joe Kyrillos in favor of a congressional campaign:

During the past week, GOP leaders have offered us their support to run in Congressional District 6. You earned this opportunity by winning the GOP Primary, off the line, in 2010. By offering us their support this year, the GOP is respecting the wishes of grass roots New Jerseyans. This is a tremendous opportunity to continue what you started in 2010.

After many meetings, planning, and discussions with grass roots patriots, we have concluded that continuing what we started in 2010, to defeat Frank Pallone, will best serve the interests of the people of the State of NJ and the grass roots conservative movement statewide.

Little lost the Monmouth County Republican endorsement for congress from the sixth district to political newcomer, Ernesto Cullari on Friday morning.  The Middlesex County GOP convenes on March 24th to award their endorsement.

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Cullari Wins The Monmouth GOP Endorsement In NJ CD-6

Political newcomer Ernesto Cullari defeated Anna Little for the Monmouth County GOP endorsement for Congress from New Jersey’s 6th district.

By a margin described as “reasonably close” the Monmouth GOP nominating committee selected Cullari, an Asbury Park businessman and conservative columnist for the triCityNews over Little, the former Freeholder, former Mayor of Highlands and the 2010 nominee for Congress against Frank Pallone.  Little defeated Diane Gooch, owner of the Two River Times and Monmouth GOP Vice Chair in the 2010 primary.

The tally was taken by voice vote followed by a show of hands.  Upon announcing Cullari the winner, Chairman Joe Oxley asked for and received a unanimous nomination by acclamation for Cullari.

The race for the nomination now heads back to Middlesex County which will hold a convention on March 24.  The Middlesex GOP screening committee endorsed Little by 27-3 earlier this week.  By rule, she will be the recommended candidate. However, the convention voters are not bound by the screening committee’s recommendation.

In 2010, the Middlesex GOP screening committee selected then Fair Haven Mayor Mike Halfacre by just less than the 2/3 margin that would have given Halfacre the formal recommendation of the committee.  Halfacre lost the convention endorsement to Scott Sipprelle after then incoming County Chairman Sam Thompson interupted Halfacre’s speech to support Sipprelle.

It is rare, but not unprecedented, that the Monmouth and Middlesex GOPs would endorse different candidates for the same office.  In the 2005 legislative primary, Middlesex County endorsed Assemblyman Joe Azzolina for reelection while Freeholder Amy Handlin was endorsed for Assembly by the Monmouth GOP.

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