Credit to Terry Duffy

Freeholder Terry Duffy decided to break ranks with the Passaic County Democrat machine and endorse Rob Andrews for Senate rather than Frank Lautenberg.

In other words, he prefers raspberry flavored Kool-Aid compared to the standard issue cherry flavor.

Puppet-master Bill Tax-crell won't tolerate it, though:

"You're free to vote for whom you wish. But if you're going to do something different, you keep it to yourself. That's called party loyalty. The right thing to do is to keep your mouth shut."

A wonderful example of democracy in action for the Iraqis, whom Pascrell voted to "liberate".

Everyone: do the world a favor and contribute to Roland Straten.
continue reading "Credit to Terry Duffy..."

Incompetence and victory are not mutually exclusive

Nor are competence and failure. This is the lesson to be learned from the 2007 elections in New Jersey, and something to keep in mind when listening to the self-serving rhetoric of party spinmeisters.

The top-line results (see PolitickerNJ, the Star Ledger, and The Record):

• Republicans pick up one seat in the State Senate (Jennifer Beck), but lose 2 in South Jersey, for a net loss of 1 - Senate is now 23-17 Democrat majority
• Republicans pick up 2 seats in the State Assembly, but still down 48-32
• Substantial gains for Republicans on the local level statewide
• Ballot questions about stem-cell research and "rebates" were soundly defeated

In my home county of Passaic, where I spent election night, the room was full of people looking for silver linings. Yes, O'Toole, Russo, and Rumana won by a crushing 2:1 margin, ditto Jay Webber, Alex DeCroce, and Joe Pennacchio in District 26 - but that was expected, those are video game campaigns. We did see a major victory happen in Ringwood, but there were disappointments in Haledon (where Ayman Mamkej's strategy could have won us a council seat had it not been for spiteful Republicans loyal to Peter Murphy running as independents) and West Milford, where we lost the mayoralty by less than 100 votes.

But that is relatively minor stuff: the big issue is that Jerry Holt did not manage to defeat Pat Lepore and gain Republican representation on the Freeholder Board. And by all logic he should have, but he lost by about 3,500 votes. Here is what a friend of mine, a Democrat insider, sent me right after the election:

"Word all day was that the turn out in Paterson was low. This scared me because at the same time we heard numbers in Wayne and West Milford were high. Until the final tallies came in from Little Falls, Clifton, Wayne and West Milford which showed that [Terry] Duffy and Lepore were either ahead or competitive, I was getting ready for Freeholder Holt. This was the Republicans' best hope to get a seat, as next year and the year after are both high turnout years."

Paterson turned out almost 25% less than it did in 2003, the analogous year to 2007 - while overall countywide turnout dropped off by much less than that. That means we should have started with a huge advantage. I have not yet studied the numbers to know the difference in vote-getting between the Assembly and Freeholder candidates in towns like Ringwood and Wayne, for example, to speculate what went wrong. (continued...)

Obviously, the reflexive explanation for yet another disappointing loss is to blame it on the divisions sewn by the former regime (where were the 300 people that supposedly joined the so-called "Passaic County Young Republicans" Chapter - and why didn't they at least bring victory in West Milford?) How was turnout in Totowa by the way? But this is just an easy answer that doesn't address shortcomings of the organization that persist. We are still left to answer why more people voted against the Rebate question and the Stem Cell bonding than voted for Joe Stinziano for Freeholder.

Still, if the old goons think that Chairman Scott Rumana is now a wounded bird and they can pick up the pieces, they're dead wrong. True, he would have been beyond reproach had Holt carried the day, but the divisive tactics employed in Haledon and West Milford will not be lost on the County Committee when it comes time to vote on the chairmanship in 2009.

In Bergen, Rob Ortiz wisely sent out a press release detailing many of the wins on the local level. The only thing he seems to have omitted from his list of successes was the fact that the air in Bergen County is comprised of 20% oxygen. Nevertheless, this, at a minimum, is a good defensive maneuver against any plot to dump him in June, which is probably being hatched by a faction loyal to the Freeholder candidates, who I must say very unfairly got the cold shoulder since Day One of the Ortiz Administration at the BCRO. They, especially Paul Duggan, worked their bloody tails off and might have been victorious had the money wasted on the BCRO rent and utilities been diverted to their campaign, spearheaded by my fellow New Jersey Ron Paul supporter, monetary expert Andy Gause. Not to mention, if Anne Estabrook had maxed out for 2007 at $37,000. But then again, it's not like the intent was to sell her the BCRO or anything...

As far as statewide trends go, Steve Lonegan recovered from the embarrassing illegal immigrant/law enforcement collective bargaining fiasco that enveloped him several weeks ago (frankly, some people had written him off as a laughing stock - but I think that will now reverse). He has got to be glowing after an absolute trouncing of 2 of the major ballot questions he campaigned heavily against, devoting a great deal of his time for the past 2 months. If a Democrat hack like Julie Roginsky is quoted in an NJGOP election night press release as saying:

"People are fed up. And they are fed up with borrowing...people obviously are not happy with the fiscal situation. These public questions going down is the most significant outcome of this election. If you saw a statewide trend this is it, because people are fed up...I'll tell you when people voting against property tax relief and stem cell research - which overwhelmingly people are craving - in favor of fiscal responsibility that to me is an astounding message they are sending to Trenton today..."

...then it's a great day to be Steve Lonegan. His fate for 2009 will depend on how he plays his cards in the 2008 Presidential Primary, but more speculation on that later.

All in all, this year is being positioned as a big Republican win. Yes, there were some good and well-deserved results - as well as other results, less than palatable, that were undeserved. We as a party did not hammer home as consistent and concise a message statewide as we needed to. A few months ago, Rick Shaftan mentioned that his polling showed huge opportunities on the tax issue alone for Republicans. But nowhere in the party's message was the public even reminded about the Democrats' increasing the sales tax from 6% to 7% last year - an omni-present and prominent NJGOP plank even during the Christie Whitman years that conservatives love to hate. So on this point, I tend to agree with Michael "The Commish" Illions from CWA, who summed it up by saying:

"the NJGOP message didn't win, the candidates did."

I hate to sound too pessimistic, because there is one very strong positive outcome of this election, which was foreseen but strongly accentuated on election night - the new, younger, hipper State Senate class. The likes of Bill Baroni, Jennifer Beck, Joe Pennacchio and Kevin O'Toole are going to have a lot to say, and I don't suppose Jon Corzine is terribly happy these days about that, minority status or not. I saw O'Toole's victory speech on Tuesday night and let me tell you - this guy is kickin' butt and taking' numbers. Having veto power over Newark politics doesn't hurt.

Just prior to results coming in, one of his staffers said, "well, we hope to stay above 60%." Then BOOM. He won by a 2:1 margin, and his confidence shone through. The exact opposite of the June victory where the victory margin was slimmer than hoped.

On a final note, I want to congratulate Mark Meyerowitz for putting up a good fight in District 27. Plus, I am pleased to report that Springfield has a new councilman in the person of Ziad Shehady, a 23-year-old Arab-American Republican who is a military veteran and serves as a legislative aide in District 21. Keep your eyes on this future leader. Shehady, Beck, Kyrillos and hopefully more to come - eat your heart out, Gerry Cardinale.

continue reading "Incompetence and victory are not mutually exclusive..."

Passaic and Bergen elections 2007

A last-minute overview of tomorrow's elections in Bergen and Passaic Counties:

Passaic County

Let's start with the Freeholder races. The GOP's "odd couple" - the bookish Jerry Holt and the entertaining Joe Stinziano - face off against incumbents Terry Duffy and Pat Lepore. The centerpiece issue is the sham pseudo-sale of the Passaic County Golf Course to plug budget holes created by out-of-control hiring of Democrat cronies that my kids are going to be paying for.

Both The Record and the Herald News gave a split endorsement - Holt and Duffy. You've got to give Duffy credit for having the integrity to see that the Golf Course sale was bad policy (at best) or for having the political fitness to recognize that he could insulate his re-election by opposing it (at worst).

I recall election night in 2003, four years ago. John Traier came within a few points of knocking out Sonia Rosado. Jan Sandri and Randy George weren't far off either. I remember then-Chairman Mike Mecca telling me that his Democrat counterpart John Currie saw the low turnout coming out of Paterson and was ready to concede the election before even seeing the returns from up-county. But Currie held out hope and, lo and behold, the GOP didn't get out the vote in Ringwood, Wayne, and Wanaque, etc., which enabled the Democrats to keep control of the board.

Turnout is likely to be low this year, which should benefit the Republicans, but the circumstances are different. At that time, Mecca and Walter Porter still held seat on the Board, and a win of 2 out 3 by the GOP in 2003 would have given our party control. So basically that enabled the raising of more money than has been raised since, when the prospect of GOP control is at best 2 elections away at any given time even under ideal circumstances. (continued...)

Jerry Speziale provides an anchor mid-ballot, although he is running unopposed for re-election as Sheriff, which is a shame on principle. Also to be decided is the Surrogate - incumbent Democrat Bill Bate faces newcomer Jeremias Batista. Bate won the Herald News endorsement, despite the fact that they said practically nothing at all about Batista or what he might be able to do.

In the Assembly, we have the O'Toole-Russo-Rumana team expected to sail to victory in District 40 after an annoying, money-wasting primary. In District 35, the Reverend Al Steele, a Paterson-based Assemblyman who greets everyone by saying "I Love Ya!" is behind bars after being caught taking bribes. I wonder if he'll drop that phrase from his vocabulary now given his new surroundings. The Democrats plopped in the bossy Freeholder Elease Evans as Steele's replacement. She faces Chauncey I. Brown III, who ran in the 2005 Assembly Primary unsuccessfully but nonetheless retains a base in Paterson thanks to his role on the School Board, as a Paterson fireman, and his mother's ties to the community (she is currently Paterson GOP municipal leader). Chauncey won the endorsement of The Record, but not the Herald News, which said that he "failed to mount a campaign whose vigor matches his intelligence and commitment to public service". It's not easy to be an underfunded challenger.

In District 34, the controversial (because of his position on gays) Reverend Clenard Childress, who ran unsuccessfully in the Democrat primary for the same seat in 2005, earned the GOP endorsement alongside Robert Bianco of Montclair. The Record split its endorsement between Oliver and Bianco, while the Herald News chose the 2 incumbent Democrats. But Childress earned the high praise of my friends at Conservatives with Attitude, thanks to his strong pro-life stand.

Bergen County

In District 39, Gerald Cardinale believes he deserves re-election because his law partner's uncle's wife's cousin's former roommate's dog-groomer once overheard a terrorist in a men's room. Write in Bob Schroeder, who should have primaried out Cardinale from the start.

District 38 was looking close on the Senate side for Bob Colletti, until Joe Coniglio was yanked thanks to his legal troubles. Assemblyman Bob Gordon takes his spot and will be tough to beat. Although, I am surprised that The Record stuck with 3 Democrats.

In District 36, the underfunded youngster Michael Guarino has been giving Paul Sarlo sleepless nights thanks to his position on EnCap. Sarlo refused to debate Guarino, and even backed out at the last minute of a TV appearance on New Jersey Now to discuss the race. I guess he was having a bad hair day. Guarino says:

"We know Sen. Sarlo has no explanation for why he supported the $300 million taxpayer rip off known as EnCap. We know that Sarlo is ducking the report on EnCap by the State Inspector General. And we know he fears an investigation into EnCap by the US Attorney. Now he apparently fears me."

He added that Sarlo is hiding from several facts:

1. he failed to protect taxpayers and he failed to protect people living in the Meadowlands from a deal to give a politically connected developer $300 million in taxpayer loans
2. he used his Senate position to sponsor key legislation (S1564) that allowed EnCap to get more taxpayer money
3. For every $1 in private investment by EnCap's investors, state taxpayers are ponying up almost $20
4. he has used his power to get at least 4 public jobs and to boost his state pension

Despite all this, the Herald News gave a clean sweep to the Democrats in their endorsement. Bravo to the The Record however, which did just the opposite.

As far as the Bergen Freeholders go, have a look at their debate. Thanks to Andy Gause for getting this online. The 3 candidates played interesting roles: Charlie Kahwaty as the Good Cop, Bob Yudin as the Bad Cop, and Paul Duggan as the Spirit Guide. They do make a good team and their opponents, with the exception of Thomas Padilla, came across as very haughty. I must say that Bob Yudin nailed them on several points, which proves that when he restricts his commentary to the Western hemisphere he can deliver a compelling message. This group, along with Harry Shortway for Sheriff, really does deserve to win (The Record heartily agrees) and if they don't, I suspect there will be a LOT of grumbling at the BCRO about how much support they received from newly elected Chairman/newly hired lobbyist Rob Ortiz.

Finally, a plug for my friend Mark Meyerowitz down in District 27, who had a glimmer of hope when Mims Hackett was indicted alongside Al Steele. But the Democrats plugged in a replacement and thus have the advantage - this is Dick Codey's district. Rick Shaftan has a plan to win this one in the future though...

And in closing - VOTE NO ON ALL BALLOT QUESTIONS! Here's why.
continue reading "Passaic and Bergen elections 2007..."

Life after the vote count

Denisa Superville of the Herald News called me last week while I was still in Dakar to talk about the hard yet fun times of being a challenger candidate up against a tough incumbent, which I certainly know plenty about! Today's paper featured some of my comments, alongside discussion of this year's race in District 36.

Here are some parts of the article in which I was featured:

"It's just the belief in the democratic process," said George Ajjan, who mounted an unsuccessful campaign in 2004 as the Republican candidate against Congressman Bill Pascrell Jr. "Just as economic monopolies are bad for consumers, political monopolies are bad for the voters. When there is no challenger out there giving a different perspective on the incumbent's record, then the incumbent is free to hide his shortcomings and overemphasize his successes."

Despite the apparent long odds, underdog candidates should never be taken lightly, Ajjan said. "You never know when lightning strikes, you never know when your opponent gets indicted. And if you're well-positioned, you can ride a tidal wave into office."

Ajjan is proof that there is life after the vote count. Although he lost to Pascrell by more than 89,000 votes, he now hosts a popular Web Site, georgeajjan.com, on which he propounds on state and international politics, and his writings have appeared in many publications.

All weekend in Dearborn, people were anxiously asking me when I would be running again. Denisa asked me as well during our interview if I planned on being a candidate again.

My reply:

"I'm sure you'll see my name on a ballot again one of these days..." ;)

continue reading "Life after the vote count..."

Food, food, food...

September 18 was the "Beefsteak" fundraiser for the Passaic County Republican Party, held at the Brownstone in Paterson (where else?)

I took video - see speeches by Jerry Holt (see below), plus Jeremias Batista, Scott Rumana, and Joe Stinziano.



Turnout was quite good and cameraderie was high - but as always my critique of such affairs is that all we do is stuff our faces and never get anybody fired up about the issues! We need to incorporate multimedia tools like videos, powerpoint, etc. to get the grassroots and donors charged up about not only the chances for winning, but what message we need to deliver.

Things have improved since the Mecca/Murphy days, but we still have a long way to go.
continue reading "Food, food, food......"

El brusco alcalde arrepentido

Back in 2005, I worked day and night for Bret Schundler's gubernatorial campaign (aka the 7 ring GOP circus). The circus was facilitated by 2 circumstances:

1. Public matching funds, which allowed anyone capable of raising a modest amount of money (about $250K) to have taxpayers kick in double the amount raised (thus $333K becomes a cool million). This enables individuals with no chance at winning the governorship, but merely with other political aspirations, to give a big boost to their name recognition at the expense of taxpayers. For some reason, the name Todd Caliguire rings a bell here.
2. The complete lack of faith in the NJGOP on the part of national Republicans. I blame one person: George W. Bush. The President of the United States, an elected Republican who came within 7 points of his rival in NJ the previous year, should have played Godfather and tapped his preferred candidate. Even if 2 or 3 others stayed in the game based on some combination of ego and principles, the primary would not have been the free-for-all it became.

Anyway, I supported Bret Schundler. Not only was I a big fan of Bret personally, but his "reform" theme fit nicely with the Passaic County Reform Republican Committee (PCRRC), one of the players in the intra-party squabble happening in the Passaic County GOP at the time. (continued...)

The PCRRC formed when a group of concerned Republicans, in the aftermath of losing the last vestiges of Republican presence in Passaic County government in 2004, decided to run a primary to wrest de facto control of the Party from the hands of Mike Mecca and his puppeteer Peter Murphy (who in addition to having a record of incompetence too lengthy to delineate here, had openly supported Democrats Bill Pascrell and Jerry Speziale, thus blatantly cuckolding myself and my running mate, Mark Michalski).

The PCRRC included:

• myself and those who worked closely with me during my 2004 congressional campaign (Jesse Starrick and Norma Watson in particular)
• Clifton Municipal leader, 2003 Freeholder nominee, and longtime State Committeeman John Traier
• a Hawthorne contingent featuring Mayor Pat Botbyl, Bob and Jen Scully, and the rest of the Michalski team
• longtime local strategist Jimmy Marotta of Totowa
• former Paterson Mayor Pat Kramer, accompanied by Paterson Board of Education member Chauncey Brown, III
• former District 35 Assemblyman Frank Catania
• Pompton Lakes GOP municipal leader Mered Frankel
• the West Milford "Real Republican" club, including Councilman Phil Weisbecker

Others joined as time went on, including former Haledon Mayor Ken Pengitore (who was set up to screen for Freeholder along with the eventual PCRRO candidates Victor Rabbat and Frank Gaccione, only to be rejected).

We put together a slate of candidates, including 2 Freeholder candidates (Jonathan Soto and Robert Piersanti), 2 State Committee candidates (Traier and former Herald News columnist/minister Teresa Nance, as well as Assembly candidates in District 35. (Not seeking to divide the party, we did not field candidates against the incumbents in Districts 40 and 26 - Kevin O'Toole, David Russo, Joe Pennacchio, Alex DeCroce). District 34 was uncontested across the board, I'm sad to say.

To make a long story short, our candidates earned roughly 35% in the primary. The "line" candidates earned about 50%, and the other 15% went to a slate organized by Ken del Vecchio (including himself as well as Paterson municipal leader Bill Connolly) and aligned with Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan.

At the time, I had a negative attitude towards Lonegan for several reasons:

1. adding a third slate to an already confusing primary, which dulled the impact of our genuine Reform effort to change the leadership of the Passaic County GOP
2. seeking out controversial coverage to earn a reputation as a spokesman for angry right-wingers (protesting the "War on Christmas" and opposing Affirmative Action in Newark on Martin Luther King Day)
3. bringing personal attacks on Schundler supporters into the campaign (including my dear friend Sherine el-Abd, a longtime NJ Republican insider and highly respected activist, who happens to be Muslim) - I have since been satisfied with the explanation given by Lonegan's strategist, the inimitable Rick Shaftan, though I still consider the mailer to have been in poor taste

These frustrations were compounded during the me encanta uprising of 2006, in which Lonegan railed against McDonald's advertising strategy. I thought this was silly and illogical because it came across as anti-immigrant and anti-Hispanic, and seemed to conflict with a free-market laissez-faire approach favored by small government conservatives.

Yet in recent months, Lonegan seems to have been changing his tune. I was not the only Republican to be pleasantly surprised when he came out forcefully defending the arch-nemesis of his right-wing cohorts, former Governor Christie Whitman. Lonegan's editorial in The Record on June 28 raised the eyebrows of many GOP insiders with its less-than-subtle key change:

"I have been a vocal critic of former Gov. Christie Whitman's policies in New Jersey, but I have a new found respect for her courage and integrity in standing her ground in defense of her actions as EPA director.

The hearings held by Reps. Jerry Nadler and Bill Pascrell Jr. are nothing short of partisan witch hunts...

Republican leaders, especially those who benefited under the Whitman administration in Trenton, should have the guts to stand up and defend our former governor."

Have a look at the comments on Lonegan's piece that appeared on his PoliticsNJ blog. Responding to doubts expressed by Bergen County's #1 Republican grouch, Joe Tomanelli (We still love ya, Joe), Shaftan rebutted:

"So you're siding with Nancy Pelosi, Jerry Nadler, Bill Pascrell and Hillary Clinton here. Now who's the RINO? When she's right, she's right."

It started becoming clear that Lonegan sought to reposition himself not as a campaign-for-giggles right-wing curio, but rather as a viable candidate who could unite Republicans under his banner. In this year's contentious Republican Primary in Bergen County, Lonegan came down squarely on the side of the "establishment" Republicans led by Kevin O'Toole. Much chatter has been heard in the ensuring months, and much more will be heard in the aftermath of Lonegan's most recent editorial about gays in the Republican Party:

"My beliefs in limited government can be shared across the chasms that liberals and conservatives perceive to separate us – ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation...

Historically, gay Americans have struggled for the freedom to live their lives the way they choose in order to pursue happiness. This is the American Dream, the cornerstone of conservative thinking, and it is these principles that make the increasingly influential gay community the conservative movement's natural ally.

It may surprise some to learn that the very same conservative who refused to be coerced into performing civil union ceremonies by government believes gay voters should be conservative, yet this very instance points to our common ground – a commitment to the rights of the individual and opposition to the power of a collectivist state."

Yes, you read that correctly. Lonegan appropriated the infamous moniker of Jim McGreevey: gay American. He then gets into the nuts and bolts of his argument:

"Many gay adults are also in upper income brackets, making the issue of low taxes, which conservatives have staked their reputation on, an important one.

The principles of limited government that keep Big Brother out of our personal lives must also keep him out of our pocketbooks. Liberal Democrats may not care what individuals do in their bedrooms, but they are already rattling their tax-hiking sabers to let us know they do care what individuals do with their money."

And he gets practical, even preemptively addressing his socially conservative base:

"Obstacles to achieving our real goal of reducing the size of government and limiting its ability to interfere in our lives must be torn down. Gays shouldn't expect government to foist acceptance of their lifestyle on others; religious conservatives shouldn't expect gays to abandon an integral part of their being."

Perhaps the most compelling part of Lonegan's essay, though was the apparent shedding of his old skin:

"The media like to portray conservatives as wild-eyed ideologues, which is
unfair. Of the philosophies that have directed civilization, conservatism has
resulted in the most liberty for people around the world. It is at the hands of
the liberal welfare state that individualism is destroyed; thus the failure of
communism, fascism and socialism in promoting a signature American entitlement - 'the pursuit of happiness.'"

This is not your father's Steve Lonegan (I mean that quite literally, as my father actually wrote a check to Lonegan in 2005, having been compelled by one of Lonegan's "red meat" fundraising mailers). The man is clearly redefining himself and positioning himself for another crack at the Governorship in 2009. As Shaftan recently commented on PoliticsNJ, in the context of a poll putting Corzine head-to-head with Lonegan in 2 years:

"If you go back to 1976-1980 you will see exactly the same comments about Ronald Reagan. Go pick any newspaper from early 1980 and read how Democrats couldn't wait to get in the ring with the Gipper."

But aside from this series of cultural overtures and insider signaling, there is one strong attribute Lonegan possesses that puts him miles above just about any potential competitor: his commitment to limited government and fiscal conservatism. Even those for whom Lonegan's name evokes a Pavlovian bitterness cannot but admire the man's skill at managing a budget. His record in Bogota is exemplary, and though it is a very small microcosm of New Jersey, a scaled-up Bogota would be a pleasure to inhabit.

Perhaps more important is Lonegan's project in the past couple of years. He leads the New Jersey chapter of a non-partisan group called Americans for Prosperity:

"AFP is an organization of grassroots leaders who engage citizens in the name of limited government and free markets on the local, state and federal levels. The grassroots members of AFP advocate for public policies that champion the principles of entrepreneurship and fiscal and regulatory restraint.

AFP Foundation is committed to educating citizens about economic policy and a return of the federal government to its Constitutional limits."

This is not just any organization; it has some powerful backers, including David Koch (the Koch family of Kansas owns what is generally considered to be the world's largest privately-owned company). By associating himself with this group, and working hard on its behalf, he has shown a true and undying commitment to fiscal conservatism. He has cultivated relationships with big-time national donors. And he has shown more ongoing concern for the taxpayers of New Jersey than any of his fellow ringmasters from 2005. I happen to like all of those guys (though I've lost tremendous respect for Todd Caliguire), has anyone heard from John Murphy, Bob Schroeder, Doug Forrester, or Paul DiGaetano recently? Lonegan has been at the forefront of the battle, continuing to file complaints against the likes of Wayne Bryant (who was later indicted).

All in all, Steve Lonegan has demonstrated much more political skill and strategy than I attributed to him back in 2005 and 2006. I do not think it wise to continue to write him off as a right-wing wackjob. Yes, he went too far in the past and had alienated Republicans like me, but Lonegan is definitely in the game and if he continues to build bridges within the party to unite Republicans under a compelling platform of limited government, he will be a force to be reckoned with - not only in the Primary, but in the 2009 General Election.
continue reading "El brusco alcalde arrepentido..."

GOP County Conventions

Anyone who follows this blog knows that I supported both Scott Rumana and Rob Ortiz in their respective quests for the Chairmanship of the Passaic and Bergen County GOP organizations, because I felt each of those candidates was most likely to advance the principles that I consider important for building a successful Republican Party in New Jersey, not the least of which is a more democratic and transparent organization. The election results were to my liking, but that does not mean that my commitment to those principles will relax - hence the following op-ed that appear in The Record today.
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