GOP gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli and Middletown Mayor Tony Perry celebrate Middletown’s reorganization on January 3, 2021
Municipal reorganizations are a big deal for New Jersey elected officials, especially during a gubernatorial election year. Newly elected and reelected mayors, council and committee members, and fire chiefs are celebrated and their families are thanked by their communities for their sacrifice. The new officials make optimistic speeches about the future of the communities and big shots from state and county government show up to issue the Oaths of Office and pose for pictures.
In 2009 former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie, not yet a declared candidate for Governor, was all over New Jersey swearing in mayors and council members on January 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. His first stop was Middletown where he issued the Oath of Office to newly elected Committeeman Tony Fiore as Mayor Gerry Scharfenberger looked on.
Ocean County Republican leaders will convene in Toms River this evening.
Their most important order of business will be to endorse a primary candidate for the nomination to challenge Democrat Congressman Andy Kim in the 3rd District. The candidate they chose will appear on the June 2 primary ballot in the same column as President Donald J. Trump, the Party’s U.S. Senate candidate (likely Rik Mehta), Freeholder Joe Vicari and the local candidates for municipal offices throughout the Ocean portions of the district.
David Richter is the best candidate to take on Congressman Kim in the general election.
George Gilmore, the Toms River attorney who was found guilty last month of twice failing to pay his employees’ payroll taxes to the IRS after withholding the money from their paychecks and also of lying on an application for a $1 million plus loan, is continuing to strong arm and threaten Ocean County Republicans, according to several GOP loyalist who witnessed Gilmore’s behavior at the Ocean County Federation of Republican Women’s Annual Gala last Thursday night.
Gilmore’s criminal defense attorney, Kevin Marino, said his client had no intention of resigning as Ocean Republican Chairman, when the federal jury returned their verdict in Trenton on April 17. On April 24, Gilmore finally submitted his resignation. He continues to control the Chairman’s PAC, and is raising money for the PAC through direct solicitations and through the Ocean GOP Gala which is being held on Thursday evening at the Eagle Ridge Golf Club in Lakewood. Read the rest of this entry »
Monmouth County Freeholder Gary Rich and Wall Township Board of Education member Ralph Addonizio will not be on the ballot on Monday night when the GOP County Committee select a candidate to fill Dave Rible’s seat in the General Assembly.
In an email to Wall Township County Committee members, Addionizo wrote, “I just wanted everyone to know that I had a meeting with Shaun Golden this afternoon at my request. It was a very positive meeting. I informed him that I would be withdrawing my name for consideration for the Assembly seat. Read the rest of this entry »
