Red Bank Councilman John Curley has captured the second and final spot on the Monmouth County Republican ticket in this year’s freeholder election, GOP committeeman Art Gallagher reports on his More Monmouth Musings blog.
Curley topped Holmdel Mayor Serena DiMaso, 168 votes to 103, in voting at last night’s county GOP convention in Middletown, Gallagher says.
So it’ll be Curley and incumbent Lillian Burry v. Democrats Amy Mallet of Fair Haven and Glenn Mason of Hazlet as the Republicans seek to hold onto their 3-2 majority in Freehold.
Now, what about the impact on Red Bank?
Curley’s selection is likely to have significant repercussions here, where he has been the party standard-bearer against a 4-2 Democratic majority on the borough council. The seats held by Curley and Grace Cangemi will be up for grabs in November in an election in which national and local party politics are likely to make for a combustible brew.
Curley has previously said he wouldn’t seek re-election to the council if he made it onto the freeholder ballot, rejecting a dual-office run as unethical.
Here’s an excerpt from today’s Asbury Park Press coverage of the Curley victory:
Curley’s speech … during which he noted past successes at the polls against Democrats in his hometown and claimed that he personally knocked on “20,000 doors” in grass-roots campaigns over the past six years … made the difference, many delegates said. Each candidate was allowed to address the convention for three to five minutes.
“Somebody mentioned that Curley spoke from the heart. He had a strong speech that drew people to him,” said Rhoda Chodosh, a Manalapan county committeewoman.
“I think things were leaning to Curley, but he pushed it out of reach with his speech,” said Highlands County Committeeman Art Gallagher, author of the More Monmouth Musings political blog. “I think Serena DiMaso made a good showing as well, and I hope she runs for freeholder next year.”
So much for ethics reform and a "ban" on dual office holding… Here we go again folks!
What are you suggesting Casey?
Not sure what you are saying Casey. Curley said if he got the Freeholder nomination he would not seek re-election in Red Bank. So he did get the Freeholder nomination and will run for Freeholder and will not run for Borough Council. His term on Council will expire December 31, 2008 and his term as Freeholder (if elected) will commence January 1, 2009. So where is the dual office holding fit in?
BWT, I will miss Mr. Curley in RB but think he will be great in Freehold.
Why should the Republicans hold on to their Freeholder majority? Has anyone taken a look at just how rampant overtime is amongst county employees? There are jail guards making more than the Governor but yet successive Republican sheriffs and Freeholders alike have been unable to do anything about it. (For more information, please check out the "Data Universe" feature on the Asbury Park Press' website … http://www.app.com )
I've been a lifelong Republican but I won't vote for another Republican to be a county Freeholder or Sheriff of Monmouth County any time soon. Republicans on the county level have proved themselves to be either too corrupt (e.g., Larson) or too incompetent (e.g., Joe Oxley). I don't expect John Curley will be all that much different.
I hope this means John Tyler will run.
jimbo, john curley IS completely different and is exactly what's needed to counter, question and change the corruption and incompetency on the county level. i greatly admire john's integrity and ability to go against the status quo when necessary, without bending to political pressure.
John, good luck in your run. I am a Democrat but I do think the Freeholders may need someone like you.
I don't know if you can respond, but if so I am curious to to whether you would support the re-appointment of Malcolm Carton as county attorney. Thanks and good luck.
That's great. Congratulations to John Curley. I just hope that they find a replacement for him on the Council that will not just roll over like some of the other Councilmembers. We really need another John Curley on the Council.
Congrats and good luck to John. I've known him since little league and I have never known anyone that could argue against his integrity. I knew his father well and when we didn't have a ball field to play on, he'd drive his tractor up Broad St and Patterson Ave, lower the blade and cut one of his own properties for us to play on. John inherited alot of that thoughtfulness and consideration. You're going to get a representative that will listen to his supporters and work at getting issues resolved WITHOUT his hand out. Johnny's speech that I didn't hear but read was "heartfelt" was guaranteed exactly that. He has no hidden agenda. He likes representing the people and he's passionate about it. Oh, and one more thing…. He will FIGHT to uphold the integrity of his constituency. That's the kind of politician who gets my vote.
Yeeee Haaaaaa,
Finally a pol. that I can't wait to vote for. Agree or disagree with him, you always know where he stands. This is a true man of the people, not one who believes he lurks above the people. While nationally we have 3 flawed candidates that all have me holding my nose (like I did when Dole ran against Clinton). Curley really excites me. As a Red Bank resident it has become obvious that he is not afraid to buck his overwhelming minority status on the council to express what he feels is right. I am not a partisan but I really like this guy for the passion, exuberance and dedication he brings to our town. When people outside of town get to know him they will feel similar. I may even get off my fat a*s and volunteer to help him. That's a first for me.
i am extremely happy for him but now am really worried about that happens to Red Bank. a true double edged sword, our gain, our loss.
Grace, I will walk and bang on the doors for you, and hopefully John T
So my prediction about John needing to switch to the Libertarian Party this year was a bit off. Now my crystal ball says he'll win in November, spend 2009 fighting with the Republican majority, and switch to the Libertarian Party in 2010.
Bring on the fireworks, John!