Monday, November 09, 2009

Impact of Election on Monmouth County Politics

*With the return of the Monmouth County Freeholder Board to GOP control, the smart money is betting against Deputy Freeholder Director John D'Amico seeking re-election in 2010. D'Amico wants to be in charge. That is not likely ever to happen.

D'Amico's seat and that of Rob Clifton are up next year.

*Barring a surprise Assembly vacancy in the 13th district, Clifton will seek re-election and should win easily. There has been speculation that Senator Joe Kyrillos will take a position in the Christie administration, leaving his Senate seat to Amy Handlin and Clifton filling Handlin's Assembly seat. A more likely scenario keeps Kyrillos in the Senate while being a high ranking member of the "kitchen cabinet." Kyrillos should be considered a front runner for an appointment to the U.S. Senate, should Governor Christie get to make an appointment due to a vacancy.

*Early speculation for Clifton's running mate includes Neptune City Mayor Thomas Arnone, former Howell Mayor Joe DiBella and Highlands Mayor, former Freeholder Anna Little.

As the senior Freeholder, and having been passed over twice before, it is Clifton's turn to be Freeholder Director. But don't be surprised if Lillian Burry is Director next year. Lillian wants it more than Robby does. Politically, it would be wise for Clifton to be Director in 2010 and get the free press that comes along with the positon during his election year, with Burry taking the post in 2011 when she is up for re-election.

*Lieutenant Governor Elect Kim Guadagno will resign as Monmouth County Sheriff in Janaury. Governor Christie will appoint Guadagno's replacement, with the advise and consent of the Senate. Wally Edge has speculated that Assemblyman Dave Rible, a former police officer, would be in the running for sheriff. Rible was just promoted by his GOP Assembly colleagues to minority whip. Undersheriff Mickey Donovan is considered the front runner for the top job. Shaune Golden, who sought the GOP nomination against Guadagno in 2007 has also been mentioned.

* Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini has been mentioned as a possible pick as Christie's Human Services Commissioner. If Rible became sheriff and Angelini Human Services Commissioner, both 11th district Assembly seats would be vacant. That's another reason to discount speculation of Rible for sheriff. Arnone, Little and state committee woman Christine Hanlon would be in the running to fill an 11th district vacancy.

Any legislative vacancies will be filled at a convention per title 19.

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Joe DiBella was an extremely unpopular mayor of Howell. He came very close to being recalled.

Anonymous said...

Actually DiBella was a very popular Mayor and the recall was a joke and a fraud by a small band of people who tried to embarass him. They lost. In the end they never even said why they wanted him recalled and he came out on top. He had the guts and courage to stand up to the crazies in Howell and he won. These are the same nuts that are going after the current Mayor in Howell. DiBella was elected to the Council and then as Mayor in landslide victories and is well liked in the town. The so called recall never produced any signatures and the losers of the so called recall never handled anything in or produced any signatures and when DiBella challenged them to a public debate they hid and never came out. So get your facts straight.

Anonymous said...

but he's grown up, and is quick-witted, fearless, and good on his feet.. if John D. runs, would drive him nuts.. Arnone starts off with a great base for either freeholder or d. 11, but prefer freeholder.."you can't go home again", Anna has to go for something else, trust me..will be shocked if Kyrillos isn't right there in the Gov's ofc. and leaves Senate..the vacancies make me nervous, everyone'll come outa the woodwork, but we should keep it going and do very well, the more the Dems wreck the country.. it's only: Congress, then Sheriff, then Freeholder then any local, in 2010 on ballot..and, Mickey Donovan For Sheriff!!!..

Anonymous said...

remember, we're still one seat from the minority, again, unless we win Rob's, but better to take BOTH freeholder seats in 2010, then it should be no sweat to take out mean,clueless, Amy Mallet, in 2011!

Anonymous said...

Art, You are discounting the power of the pension. The legislature does not pay well.

Also it must be frustrating to be in the minority. Don't expect that to change much b/c Christie is governor.
i predict Kyrillos will take a position in
the administration. Maybe Sports and exposition Authority. A job he would be excellent for btw.
Rible never really wanted to be an assemblymen. I bet he really wants Sheriff and it is his for the taking.

It would be a shame to see Pat leave the assembly.

On the other hand i suspect Clifton would rather be a legislator. He and Handlin will battle for the kyrillos seat or Clifton will avoid that confrontation and take amys assembly seat.

This will allow the County Committee to appoint a freeholder to his unexpired term. I think Dibella would be a front runner and a good choice. We will have to see if he is interested (he might not be) and who else comes out of the woodwork. Arnone has some support but is it enough to overcome a Howell and /or a middletownA?
I suspect Anna Little has given up on the Freeholder Board. She might be interested in An assembly seat however I think she has her sights on Pallone.

2 questions. Are yuou sure the Gov. fills a vacant sheriff spot?

How does a vacant legislators seat get filled?

As to the director position if Clifton sticks around he should fight for it and Lillian should learn to be more shareful.

Art Gallagher said...

2 questions. Are yuou sure the Gov. fills a vacant sheriff spot?

Yes

How does a vacant legislators seat get filled?

Convention of county committee members from the district

Anonymous said...

Other than Little,very weak names!

Anonymous said...

Dave Rible should stay in the Assembly where we need him. He is already retired on a police disability pension so "the power of the pension" shouldn't apply to him.

Anonymous said...

Art - any ideas on who the dems put up? Does damico run again? Do u think he's good for republicans to beat or we need someone weaker? Who do the dems put up for freeholder and sheriff? Is byrnes done in middletown? Who do the reps put up there? Is pat short done? Who runs against pallone? U think little will run? Are oxley and scudiery running for new terms in june?

Art Gallagher said...

Art - any ideas on who the dems put up? Does damico run again? Do u think he's good for republicans to beat or we need someone weaker? Who do the dems put up for freeholder and sheriff?

I doubt D'Amico will run. He'll be 69 in January. If he can't be in charge he might want to start enjoying his pensions.

We could beat him if he does.

The Monmouth Dems are in disarray and they don't have much of a bench. Who they put up is anyone's guess.

If the state Dems decide that it is worth funding a fight to regain control, someone like Michael DuPont of Red Bank might step up, though I see him seeking state office over county office..maybe he challenges Jenn Beck.

Neptune Mayor Mike Beson lost the Dem nomination to Byrnes this year. He might want another shot.

If Barabara McMorrow's health improves she might want to come back, but I don't see it happening.

Rebecca Aaronson, McMorrow's first running mate has a nice job at DMV and is probably done seeking elective office.

Michele Roth of Manalapan in a possiblity.

There is always Lenny Inzerillo.

Is byrnes done in middletown?

Byrnes is busy reading "What color is my parachute?" I don't see him running again in Middletown and risking defeat two years in a row.

Who do the reps put up there?

Tom Wilkens, if he is ready to come back.

Is pat short done?

Yes

Who runs against pallone?

That depends on weather the RNC is willing to invest in taking Pallone down. If they are, there will be no shortage of candidates. If they are not, it won't matter, unless Bill Barham decides to self fund a campaign against him. That would be fun.

U think little will run?

Not against Pallone, unless the RNC steps up. Little will probably run for re-election as Highlands Mayor. Perhaps Assembly if Angelini moves to the Christie cabinet or maybe Freeholder.

Are oxley and scudiery running for new terms in june?

Oxley---yes and he's a lock despite some behind the scenes clock and dagger manuvering.

Scudiery will be Dem chairman as long as he wants to be. He might be done. Vin Gopal is angling for the job.

Art Gallagher said...

Dem for Sheriff...Belmar Chief Jack Hill if he wants to. Otherwise, any whatshisname will do.

Anonymous said...

Barham for congress? Hasn't the last election cycle taught us it takes more then $ t get elected.
Anna should run even if the rnc does not think that challenging pallone is worth the investment I bet the club 4 growth would be intereted.
Run Anna run!!!!!

Anonymous said...

it would be very intersting to see "Frankie Flat-foot" have to deal with a woman with a shot.. pray for the health of ol' Lautenberg, Pallone deserves a tough fight and defeat where he is, for once.. we've all waited far too long for him to get his just-due,after so many years of disappointing, left-wing,under-representing of us!!

Anonymous said...

Get serious. Angelini is a RINO. That would be Christie's first mistake.

Anonymous said...

Do you really believe the dems would put up either Aaronson or Roth again? Really? So far, the dems are 0 for ever running Manalapan dems for higher office. These two have the LEAST chance of winning an election. Aaronson ran for Freeholder twice and got beaten badly both times. There are elements in Manalapan that will make sure she loses any seat she runs for and Scudiery knows it. Roth is so discredited, she can't even seriously think of running for township committee again. By the way, Aaronson will NOT have the DMV seat in January. You don't think Christie will leave the democatric county vice president in that kind of a patronage job, do you?

Anonymous said...

Art:

You are forgetting one up and coming Democrat. MArlboro Mayor Jon Hornik. He and his organization was the only town to win democratic majority in Monmouth County. He is young, smart and the Only Dem in the County with a clean record of accomplishments. He could be the face of the Dems in Monmouth in the future...don't count him out....

Anonymous said...

Art thanks for the detailed response...if Short and Byrnes are gone who does Caliendo run??? There is noone else in Middletown.

also about Aaronson and dmv, won't she lose her job? I figure Christie will clean house of all the dmv heads

Monmouth Law and Order Guy said...

What about Mike Borg---former Aberdeen Chair for Sheriff?

He has real law enforcement experience, especially with anti-terrorism.

A few years ago he was the Team Lead for a law enforcement squad stationed overseas, in the United Kingdom, for which he received a commendation from the British Counter Terrorism Command / Scotland Yard for his efforts in Counter Terrorism.

Currently he is a Section Chief in the Office of Intelligence. Working on National Security issues in an intergovernmental enterprise.

He also knows how to work with the rank and file officers since he has served as President of the Homeland Security Council for the State fo New Jersey, representing law enforcement officers in the Department of Homeland Security throughout NJ.

He is a good family man and a conservative. In light of the foiled attack on Fort Dix and the terrorist actions at Fort Hood, we need someone like Mike Borg in Monmouth County.

Anonymous said...

i think vin gopal is running chairman in essex county not monmouth

http://www.politickernj.com/max/34915/codey-rice-alliance-strong-rice-fundraiser-south-ward-battlefront-looms

Art Gallagher said...

Art:

You are forgetting one up and coming Democrat. MArlboro Mayor Jon Hornik.


Good point

Anonymous said...

The Republicans in Howell got their clocks cleaned by some independent candidates in large part because of Joe DiBella. Joe DiBella was and is very unpopular. DiBella's unpopularity is precisely why he is not now an elected official.

Anonymous said...

Mike Borg has moved out of NJ.

Anonymous said...

I love it when people say things like " Angelini is a rhino'
but do not back it up with any facts.

Anonymous said...

Ammazing that the person who says DiBella is unpopular is too much of a coward to post their name. When you trash someone at least have the guts to say your name. He is more popular today than ever. The Independents won because there were no Democrats running. Once the D's fielded candidates it was the Independents who got trounced. Case in point this year. DiBella was smart not to seek another term as Mayor. The place melted down and is a mess and the fact is that the Independents had control for his last 2 years so its all their mess actually. The people who trash Mayor Joe are simply envious. If he decides to run he'd win, flat out.

Anonymous said...

Angelini is a rino, not a rhino. It looks as if you are a bit confused.

Anonymous said...

I think it's both amusing and rather telling that Joe DiBella still owns and maintains the following web site:

Mayor DiBella??

Even though he hasn't been the Mayor of Howell for quite some time now, DiBella still portrays himself as such on the Internet. This guy was an embarrassment to the people of Howell when he was an elected official. He continues to embarrass both himself and the town now that he is a private citizen. I sincerely hope that "Mayor" DiBella gets the help that he needs.

In short, the Republicans in Monmouth County would be well advised to look to anyone other than Joe DiBella when deciding who should serve the public.

Anonymous said...

www.mayordibella.com