Tuesday, March 02, 2010

Wilkens To Seek Freeholder Nod

Former Middletown Committeeman and Olympic bronze medalist Tom Wilkens "is all in" in his quest to become a Monmouth County Freeholder.

35 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think this is great news for the party!

Anonymous said...

Great news Art! I had a feeling Wilkens was looking to throw his hat into the ring after popping up in the polls. He's exactly the kind of candidate we need for Freeholder!

Anonymous said...

Remind me please. Why is he a former councilman? Was he defeated or did he resign?

What are his qualifications? A Bronze medal doesn't do it.

Just like being an ex football player is not enough BTW

Anonymous said...

Wilkens was a former Middletown Twp Committeeman who won overwhelmingly in a tough Republican year. He left after one term to be home with his two young children. He is a Stanford grad, and yes, won a medal in the Sydney olympics. He works in the insurance industry.

Anonymous said...

What is so great about it? Clue the rest of us in. Christine Hanlon is more quailified. Is she running? How about Mary Pat Angelini, both much better choices than Wilkins. He stepped down from his councilman position. Thanks but no Thanks

Anonymous said...

What's in it for him? Insurance contract?

Art Gallagher said...

He stepped down from his councilman position

No, he didn't. He completed his term and did not seek another.

Anonymous said...

What makes Hanlon qualified? The fact that she's being pushed for every elected position out there?

Anonymous said...

Christine Hanlon is more quailified. Is she running? How about Mary Pat Angelini, both much better choices than Wilkins.

Christine Hanlon might be running for some other position. Mary Pay Angelini - why would she give up State Assembly for County Freeholder?

Anonymous said...

Thank you for that information. I look forward to learning more about him.

Anonymous said...

Hi Art,

how are you today?

Sincerely,

Joe Caliendo

Anonymous said...

Tom Wilkens will make a great running mate for Rob Clifton - Tom is well liked in Middletown and is a winner.

Maybe Joe Caliendo will push Pat Walsh for Freeholder - now that would be fun!

stopthesocialists said...

Tom Wilkens is an excellent candidate, a superior person and someone who the dirtbag Dems will have a tough time attacking. He strengthens the ticket up and down and will allow Flippy plenty of time to go home and count his pensions. The fact that he is an Olympian running this year is an added bonus.

Anonymous said...

like Wilkens, but Tom Arnone brings a lot, too, and has actually been working for it: but again,what a rather unusual concept, these days..is not too confidence-building for me if we wind up with a ticket made up of 4 or 5 untried candidates who either haven't ever been elected,knocked on a door,made a phone call/done a mailing/put up a sign for someone ELSE, or even given much financial support to our county Republicans, which is what we ought most to be about ..

Anonymous said...

9:48, what's your point?! Wilkens has been elected in the largest municipality in the county, has knocked door to door, has made numerous phone calls, and has always supported the Republican party! Most importantly, with raising a young family himself, I would imagine that the voters in the 30-45 yr. old age bracket especially will be able to identify with a man that is raising a young family himself, and understands the financial burden that many of us Monmouth county residents feel.

Anonymous said...

Wilkens is so far the Strongest candidate that is in the race for the Freeholder nom. He has a first class education at Stanford, one of the best athletes in the world (swimming) and has political experience in Middletown. Wilkens is a strong candidiate.

Anonymous said...

Lets think about this: Stanford grad who won the olympics hugely popular in largest town in county versus a landscaper from one of smallest towns in county. This is a no brainer.

Mix it up said...

well, then,using that logic, let's just have all the county freeholders and constitutionals hail from Middletown: with Wilkens, it'll be 3 out of 8..seeing the increase in county population, maybe it's time to stop the all-at-large election and go to a ward system, wherein ALL the areas of the county get some representation!..ps: Arnone's got a young family,too, and has much support from enough towns to equal the big-boy of Middletown!

Anonymous said...

I know Arnone is a good guy, but Malcom Carton being Arnone's chair and chief supporter is not a good thing. The press will eat this up. Wilkens will provide a better contrast to D'Amico and doesn't have that baggage.

Anonymous said...

It sounds like Wilkens would be a good candidate but so would Arnone.

If you have spoken to him he is very articulate and has a lot of good ideas. He is very in to making government less expensive. Do not discount the power of running someone who can claim to be a regualr Joe. More people can relate to him then to a stanford grad and in this election cycle that means a lot.
Not saying that wilkens is not a good candidate too, he is. Just saying lets not rush to judgment without hearing what all the candidates have to say.

Anonymous said...

Wilkens is a guy that Monmouth County can feel good about. Great education: CBA grad who got into Stanford. Olympic medal athlete who trained at the Middletown pool. Former councilman in Middletown. Dont underestimate the discipline and mental stamina that an Olympic athlete must have to perform on that kind of competieitve level. He should be the Republicans first choice at this point. He is a candidate that has had alot of success and that will carry over into the Freeholder position. I dont believe he has any competition. Arnone is well liked but he is right for mayor of Neptune City and not running the county.

Anonymous said...

A "regular Joe" should not be running the entire County Government. Thats where your wrong. A business executive or attorney should be running the county. Someone with credentials and business experience. Clifton is a great example of what we need. I think Wilkens fits the mold.

Anonymous said...

A "regular Joe" should not be running the entire County Government.

That is an elitist, anti democratic statement.

And I like Clifton and all and I think he does a good job as Freeholdebut "executive" is a stretch.

I would want to see the job description. Rob is a professional politician who has a job to help with the bills.

Thou doth protest too much said...

hey, 1:24: you mean we need a "business exec" like Mallet, and an "attorney"like D'Amico to run this county?..think again!..and,9:05: Carton realizes he's an issue, is not going around with Arnone, has only one vote like all the town chairs.. many of us know some people who may hurt us,but that doesn't mean they have any say as to how we run our own lives, or campaigns..ok, let's not put a picture of Malcolm shaking Tom's hand on a flyer..

Anonymous said...

Is Wilkens doing any events in Monmouth County ?

Anonymous said...

Tom and Carton are not close

Anonymous said...

Arnone's the choice, brings the most hands-on, and much broader, county-wide appeal.. Wilkens a nice kid with a sweet wife,but there's no comparison with the actual hard work and experience of cutting spending,making budgets,keeping taxes down,getting grants,setting and finishing his governance goals for the people.. athletes are disciplined, yes,but for their personal goals.. that's a big difference,for when you want to serve 650,000..

Anonymous said...

which Tom,and which Carton?..Arnone's chair is Mal Carton, Wilkens' chair is Mal's cousin, Pete Carton.. go figure!..

Anonymous said...

Wilkens is a much better choice. He is a candidate that Monmouth County could feel good about. He has an exceptional record of success.

Anonymous said...

as interested and active Republicans, it is our duty to do the fair and intellgent thing,and be honest and really look at qualifications and RESULTS of time in service: Arnone is far and away the best-performing of the three..can't wait to vote for him, he's much needed in Freehold!

Anonymous said...

Wilkens will provide a much better contrast to D'Amico

Anonymous said...

Tom Wilkens is a highly successful scholar and athlete and did a great job as a councilman. He won a Bronze medal in the Olympics. he is a world class athlete. He probably will be backed by Middletown and the Northern portion of Monmouth County. I would say he is probably the strongest choice of the 4 candidates. He also graduated from Stanford University and a little high school called CBA.

Anonymous said...

don' be too sure he has the "north" all wrapped up....and education's a beautiful thing, but not the only thing.. would rather see Wilkens do some more "getting to know you" this year, and trounce Mallet next year!.. go, Arnone!..

Anonymous said...

I agree Wilkens is looking good.

Anonymous said...

Wilkens for the 5th Freeholder,in 2011.. Arnone for the 4th Freeholder (with 5 times the experienced service),in 2010!!