Is Adam Puharic a Federal Employee? Does the Hatch Act apply?

DaTruthSquad and Ronald Reagan are reporting that Adam Puharic is an employee of the US Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and must resign as Chairman immediately , due to the Hatch Act. This based on a quote by a Adam Puharic in the Associated Press.

Wouldn't that be nICE!

I'm skeptical, but anxious to see how this plays out. There may be hope for the Monmouth GOP yet.

Update March 1, 2007

I have sent the following inquiry to the US Office of Special Counsel:

To:hatchact@osc.gov

Hello,

I am writing to inquire whether or not Adam Puharic of Aberdeen, NJ is a federal employee who's political activities are restricted by the Hatch Act.


There is an Adam Puharic who was quoted by the Associated Press as being a spokesman for ICE in New Jersey. http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070228/NEWS/70228020

Is this the same Adam Puharic who is the chairman of the Monmouth County Republican Organization, and if so, is his political activity as a county chairman permissible under the Hatch Act?

Thank you.

First response:

Subject: RE: Adam Puharic
Date: 3/1/2007 12:23:35 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: Hatchact@osc.gov
Reply To:
To: BillSewardnj@aol.com

The Office of Special Counsel is responsible for enforcing the Hatch Act by issuing advisory opinions and investigating complaints of violations. It is unclear from your e-mail whether you are intending to make such a complaint. If so, please state so, and please provide the name and contact information for the subject of your complaint.


Erica N. Stern
Attorney, Hatch Act Unit
U.S. Office of Special Counsel

My reply:

Erica,

Thank you for your prompt response. If the Hatch Act requires the Adam Puharic who is the chairman of the Monmouth County Republican Organization to refrain from political activity, I do intend to file a complaint.

The subject of my complaint will be Adam Puharic, and his contact information is 732-404-xxxx (cell) or 732-765-xxxx (home)

Thank you.

UPDATE 5PM

Erica and I have traded a few more emails today. It seems a complaint has to be filed in order for there to be an investigation, and whether or not Puharic's political activities are permissible, depends on where he works in ICE.

I have received confirmation that from another source that Puharic does work for ICE. I will be attempting to find out if his political activities are permissable before filing a complaint.


I'll let you know when and if I hear futher. If any readers have good information, please post it or email me at billsewardnj@aol.com.

Puharic confirms Federal Employment. Stops Fundraising.

APP:

Puharic said his duties as GOP chairman are being altered due to a career change. Puharic began work this week as a public affairs officer at the Newark office of the U.S. Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. His salary is $91,700.

Because of the federal Hatch Act — which spells out permitted and prohibited political activity of executive branch employees of the federal government — Puharic said he is no longer directly participating in fundraising for the party.

"I'm becoming a delegator and chief. The bureau attorneys and I have created firewalls between me and the fundraising aspect of the party," said Puharic, who left Monmouth Medical Center for his new position. "I was always a hands-on person with the party, the kind who put up signs himself, licked the envelopes and raised the money himself. But it's really the message that raises the money, and this change also allows new people to take on new responsibilities. We have a lot of excellent fund-raisers working for the party."

A loyal reader of this blog pointed out that Puharic has apparently started out at Step 4 of the GS-13 pay scale.

When Puharic was running for chairman, he promised to unite the party and to be a great fundraiser.

When Fred Neimann announced that he wouldn't seek a second term as chairman he said, "If fund raising is going to become all consuming in order to be competitive I chose not to run for re-election.'' Hands On Puharic better become a good delegator very quickly. Does the federal "firewall" permit him to manage those he has delegated fundraising tasks to?

Who is served by this new arrangement? Puharic is now in his third job since becoming chair. Would the screening committee approve a candidate with that kind of instablitity for a job that the candidate must recuse himself from one of the primary responsiblites of the post? Has Puharic united the party?

This is NUTS.

Minton unloads on Bennett and Puharic. Calls for new leadership

"I don't intend to be bullied by Adam Puharic or his sycophants, toadys and lackeys." ~ Red Bank GOP Chairman Jack Minton.

Jack Minton called tonight and had a few things to say about John Bennett and Adam Puharic.

About why Bennett is running for Minton's seat on the Red Bank County Committee:

"For those who follow Harry Potter, maybe he's been confunded, or hit his head on a door jam."

Minton said that he was disappointed that Bennett did not tell him he was running when they saw each other on Monday before the filing deadline. "I thought John Bennett was a stand up guy. Obviously, he isn't," Minton said, "He's a cat's paw for Adam Puharic."

"Puharic has made a career of denigrating people. That's why he can't bring people together. That the county chairman would stick his nose into this municipal county committee race is pathetic."

Minton said that Puharic should have done his homework before telling the Asbury Park Press that "the other person," meaning Minton, had not been constructive for Red Bank Republicans. "In the last four or five election cycles, local Republicans have won in district 2, the district that I represent and that Bennett wants."

As for how "constructive" Puharic has been as chairman, "He's lost us two Freeholder seats, a sterling performance." "His role in the shunning of Anna Little was a time when Puharic came up to the mark real good and united the party."

Minton expressed his concerns for Puharic's fundraising ability. "When he was running for chairman he promised to come up with a fundraising system that was second to none. Well, we're a lot closer to none than we are to second."

With all of that off his chest, Minton called for new party leadership. "On a more serious note, we need a party chairman who is a honest broker and will allow people to come together. Someone who instills enough confidence in people that they will check their egos at the door and and work together for the common good. A party chairman needs to be a servant of the party members. We need to find someone who can fill that role."

How strong is Puharic?

Monmouth GOP Chairman's Adam Puharic rules for candidates are pretty much the same as last year's rules, with a few exceptions:

No mention of a contract, but still a promise not to oppose the chairman's selection in a primary. How will the US Senate candidates deal with that one? Will they screen anyway and not take that "promise" seriously or will they skip the screening?

No mention of background checks. Of course there will be background checks, as there should be. But apparently they won't be used as an intimidation tactic and poll tax. Call this progress, I guess.

No mandatory screening of incumbents. That's no surprise. Just a confirmation that last year's rules were written to get rid of Anna Little.

Only two candidates per office. Not a change in the rules, but will be a change in practice if it is enforced.

About the only safe bet for those handicapping Monmouth GOP politics is that there will be no primary for the US Congress seats.

Puharic's rules indicate his path to unity continues to be by controlling the process and purging dissent. As we have seen, he can control the party line, but he has little influence with the voters.

The first test of Puharic's strength will be the presidential primary on February 5. Can Puharic deliver Monmouth County for Mitt Romney? Puharic is a Romney supporter. State Senator Joe Kryillos, Puharic's mentor and guardian, is Romney's New Jersey chairman. If Puharic is unable to deliver Monmouth County for Romney, his opponents will rightly view him as vulnerable.

Don't agree with Adam? You're not welcome at Lincoln Day

True to his strategy of creating a smaller but united party over a larger but diverse party, Chairman Puharic has gone public with the "Puharic Doctrine" for the third time this week.

The Puharic Doctrine is that if you do not agree with Adam, you are not a "true Republican."

1)In his Lincoln's Birthday wireside chat about the APP online poll Puharic referred to "one of those anti-Republican blogs posted the poll and told their readers to vote no." Searching the blogs, the only reference to the poll before the chat was issued I could find was here, in the comments. I guess that means that the only blog that Puharic used in his campaign for chairman is now one of those. I suppose that's better than being a terrorist.

2) In his NUTS pronouncement the next day, Puharic said,"Vulnerability assessments were never in question, and every true Republican knew this is the right thing to do." Someone call the Republican National Committee, Puharic has a new litmus test for what it is to be a true Republican.

3) In today's Asbury Park Press, Purharic confirmed that 12th district Senate Candidate Joe Locricchio's ad is not welcome in the Lincoln Day ad journal and that Locricchio is not welcome at the dinner. "He's not welcome in a room full of people who are going to help move the party forward", said Puharic.

Of course, this means that if you do attend the Lincoln Day dinner or advertise in the journal, Adam will declare that you are one of his supporters.

Hmmm, what to do? Stay home and watch 24? Get there early and see what happens when Locricchio shows up? That might be worth the price of admission and you were going to record 24 anyway.

What if you've already sent your money and now you don't feel welcome? Call 732.431.6664 and tell the nice lady that you've changed your mind and want your money back. If your check hasn't cleared you can always stop payment on it as a protest, but you better do it early today as there will no doubt be a rush to the bank to make a deposit today.

Convention Tomorrow

"The probability that we may fail in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just"

--ABRAHAM LINCOLN


The Monmouth County Republican Committee meets tomorrow, March 24, 2007 in the Donald D. Warner Student Life Center at Brookdale Community College.

The biggest question...Will there be a turnout? Even with some 800 seats, 420 would be considered a good turnout. While there has been vocal opposition and controversy surrounding the new candidate selection process implemented by Adam Puharic, there is increasing concern that those who are disgusted will stay home. Puharic's opposition is not organized. They are divided between those who want make a stand at the convention and those who have written off this year and are willing to "let it burn" and re-group next June or later.

High level support for circumventing Puharic's process and giving the line to Anna Little seems to be fading, as the likelihood of her switching parties seems to be diminishing.

With a turnout of 400 or more, anything could happen tomorrow. Less than that, look for a rubber stamp for Puharic's process.

If Puharic's rules are adopted, the contested Freeholder nomination will be won by Jeff Cantor.

If Puharic's rules are not adopted and nominations are taken from the floor, Anna Little will be nominated. Brian Reilly and J. David Hiers will likely drop out, setting up a head to head with Little and Cantor. The result...very close.

With the APP calling for Puharic to allow Little to compete at the convention, look for Puharic to proudly declare that the Asbury Park Press does not run the Republican Party.

In the other contested races....Dave Rible and Mary Pat Angelini get the nod for Assembly in the 11th, and Kim Guadagno wins the Sheriff nomination in a landslide against what's his name.

With all the attention and controversy among Republicans, the Democrats smell victory, with or without Little. They have been quietly putting together a surprisingly strong ticket. Their convention is next Saturday. Candidates names should start emerging tomorrow afternoon.

Is it too late?

According to published reports today is Adam Puharic's last day working for the Department of Homeland Security.

In his wireside announcement of his resignation he states that he's leaving the job because, "this position did provide critics with an opportunity to attack the Republican party and smear our good names". He's right about that.

However, given the coverage his resignation received it is safe to assume that the attacks will not stop. Puharic's employment, or lack thereof, is not the only issue his critics, on both sides of the isle and in the media have with him. He has ensured that he himself will be an issue, at least in the upcoming campaign, if he remains chairman.

Is he giving up the wrong position? I think so.

There are signs that his candidates, both on the county level and legislative level are inclined to think and act for themselves (more on this over the weekend). The candidate who did that last year won the election but was given the boot by Puharic. If, as it appears it might be happening, and the candidates embrace and run on a true reform agenda as opposed to the old "Monmouth County is great, we have a AAA bond rating, and the Republicans did it" status quo campaign, Puharic may find himself at odds with his candidates and irrelevant in the campaigns.

Puharic never had relevance regarding poltical appointments, as the Director has chosen to keep all of that power for himself. The "half a chairman" moniker was not just about the fundraising restrictions on Puharic due to his Federal employment.

Puharic's job with the Feds is a good job. It pays well and offers security. It gives him an opportunity to use his skills and training to make a difference in a critical government function. It may not have the juice or excitement of politics, but it does make a difference and more importantly, enables him to provide for his family. Giving it up for the chairmanship is foolish, and it doesn't serve him, his family or the party.

Puharic was quoted saying his superiors encouraged him to stay on at this job. He should do so, and resign the chairmanship, if it is not too late.

That would be better for him, better for the party, and better for Monmouth County.

Puharic furious

Word is that Monmouth GOP chairman Adam Puharic is furious that news of his impending move has hit the blogs.

I made a retarded move last week when I pulled my post about Puharic's house being for sale. I did so at the request of a friend who said he/she had received calls from Puharic allies that were concerned for his family's safety. There is no address published on any of the links associated with the real estate listing, thus I saw no threat. Pulling the post has been gnawing on me since.

Puharic said, "I have no problem with the blogs" when the notorious MonmouthRastaMan was posting false information about Anna Little while Puharic was attempting to derail her political career.

Puharic has said he running for re-election as county chair. His residency is a legitimate issue.

Democrats would welcome Freeholder Anna Little

Of course they would.

She's going to win in November, just as she did last November. The Democrats smell control of the Monmouth County Freeholder Board for the first time in 20 years, and they hope to hold it for the next twenty years.

Republicans throughout Monmouth County, senior level statesmen to rank and file volunteer sign team members, are burning up the phone lines, meeting in private and writing subversive blogs in the hopes of solving this problem that Adam Puharic, Bill Barham and Malcolm Carton created.

Here's a newsflash: Puharic and Barham think they can weather this storm and still win in November. They are blinded by the same arrogance that created this problem. They also don't think Anna Little will become a Democrat. They are counting on her either running a poorly funded primary or Independent race, and losing either way.

Puharic will not give up.

Little believes in the work she has started in Freehold. The voters do too, and the voters don't care what party she is in. They want lower taxes and less corruption. Anna Little is their champion. She is not going to lose in November.

The only people who care whether Little runs as a Republican or a Democrat are those for whom the designations are more than abstractions. People who's livelihoods, identities or social lives depend on the designation.

The problem with becoming a Democrat is that the Democrats in Trenton and Washington are money grubbing miscreants, much like many Monmouth County Republicans.

Monmouth County Democrats are saying the right things. They say they want to cut spending and root out corruption. When they win, they will cut spending and root out corruption for a while, until the power and money bug bites them.

If the Democrats take control of Freehold, and they probably will, I want Anna Little there to be as big a pain in the ass to them as she has been to the Republicans.

If the senior level Republicans who have been trying to solve the problem Puharic, Barham and Carton created really want to prevent Monmouth County from becoming Bergen County, they need to speak up publicly. Call Anna Little and beg her to run as a Republican in the primary. Promise her the organizational and financial support neccessary for her to win. Recruit Puharic's legislative candidates for Anna's line, and leave Puharic with an incomplete or second tier slate. Anna's line would win if the right people publicly support it and fund it.

Do it today.

Otherwise, Monmouth County becomes Bergen County, a Democratic strong hold. Even if Anna Little decides not to run at all. Waiting to replace Puharic in June 2008 will be too late. He needs to be defeated now. Other wise its Happy Days are Here Again in Freehold.

Puharic's disgraceful comments warrant his resignation

If Dan Gallic's blog posting of a cleaver retelling of the ant and the grasshopper fable are enough to warrant him losing a job, then certainly Adam Puharic's orignial comments poking fun at those inflicted with mental retardation and a weak gene pool require the same.
Puharic's comments are far more offensive than Gallic's, especially considering Adam's background and personal experiance.

Puharic made his name in large part as the co-founder of Michael's Feat, a charity that was created in memory of Puharic’s newborn son, Michael, who lost his life to a serious chromosome disorder.

Puharic owes those with mental and genetic disorders a heartfelt apology. He owes the Monmouth GOP his resignation.

"Trust, but verify"

In an OpEd piece in today's Asbury Park Press, Spin Mister in Chief Adam Puharic presents a compelling argument for the need for background checks for Republican candidates for public office. Operation Bid Rig, Republicans in handcuffs, Marlboro development and Keyport plaques.

Adam is right. We shouldn't be nominating criminals or dead beats to public office and entrusting them with millions or billions tax payers dollars. A public records search of candidates for public office in not an unreasonable thing to require. If problems are revealed they should be handled privately and with dignity.

The problem is, the process that Puharic is requiring of Republican candidates is far more invasive than the type of background reviews provided for "bank tellers, day care workers and police officers." Some of the information demanded by Puharic is illegal for prospective employers to ask of applicants before and after the granting of employment.

Puharic said that when he became chairman he found himself "faced with the difficult task of helping to restore confidence in the political process and in elected officials." If Puharic really wants to do that he could start by not lying to the public himself.

Puharic lied when he said that the process is confidential, "between the researcher and the candidate." The truth is that candidates are required to sign a contract that allows the results of the background checks to be shared with party "officers, members, employees, contractors and third party vendors." And the candidates must waive any and all claims they may have arising from such disclosure by the GOP organization or any of those third parties they give it to.

Only a fool would sign such a contract, and more than one of the GOP candidates has refused to do so.

Don't believe me? Who could blame you for that? This whole mess is unbelievable. Send me an email to billsewardnj@aol.com and I'll reply with a copy of the contract candidates "must submit."

Statement from Freeholder Anna Little

February 20, 2007

My fellow Republicans:

It is with heartfelt regret that I am writing to inform you that I will not be participating in Chairman Adam Puharic's screening process and that I will not be seeking the regular Republican nomination for the office of Freeholder in the upcoming election.

I deeply appreciate all the support that I have received from rank and file Republicans and County Committee members over the last year. You are an inspiring and dedicated group, and it has been my honor to work with you and to serve you as your Monmouth County Freeholder. I have recently come to a roadblock in dealing with the current leadership of the Monmouth County Republican Organization, and I have serious reservations about continuing to work under the conditions imposed by this regime.

Contrary to Mr. Puharic's comments in the press, I am not the only candidate who has objected to the screening process as designed by the Chairman.

My problem with the process is not the background check that has garnered so much attention. I am willing to submit to a background check, if for no other reason than to prove I have nothing to hide. In fact, my modest but sufficient means reflect that of the average voter, and that should lead no one to question my honesty.

Despite the Chairman's statements in the press, he is requiring me to sign a contract that deprives me and you of some of our rights as United States citizens, and that could compromise my security and that of my family. Mr. Puharic has stated in the press that the background checks will be private and confidential. His contract states just the opposite and releases the Monmouth County Republican Organization from any liability for the misuse of my private information. As a wife and mother, and elected public servant, I can not sign that contract. As an attorney, I would advise any client not to sign that contract.

Many of you are no doubt aware of the smear campaign that has been waged against me and my family since our victory on November 7, 2006. Since election night, I have made numerous attempts to communicate with Mr. Puharic to resolve our differences and to bring the Party together in preparation for another tough election this year. After being rebuffed by the Chairman numerous times, we finally met on February 6, 2007. Puharic, seated behind his desk with two muscle men standing on either side of him with arms folded, stared at me. Puharic then listed the reasons that he felt I should not run on the Republican ticket. He stated that the screening committee would make the decision because he was angry and didn't trust himself to decide fairly. He stated that I should tell the press I would be signing the agreement, even if it were not the truth. The result of this meeting was that that the Chairman and I will not be able to resolve our differences. I find it troubling that after being appointed to the Freeholder position, fairly selected by the entire Monmouth County Committee, and after winning a difficult race in the November General Election, my viability as a candidate is being questioned. The selection process in the past was fair to the candidates and to the entire Monmouth County Committee at the general convention.

I will continue to serve as a Monmouth County Freeholder for the remainder of this year, and I am in the process of evaluating other alternatives for my candidacy for re-election. I expect that many of you will not be happy with this turn of events, and neither am I. While I can appreciate that my leaving the Organization line will cost me the support of some of you, I expect and hope that many of you will want to continue to work with me for the betterment of Monmouth County government.

Anna C. Little, Esq.
Monmouth County Freeholder
--------------------------------------------

READ CONCERNED MONMOUTH REPUBLICAN'S ANALYSIS HERE

Barham not running. Maybe. The fun is about to start.

Freeholder Bill Barham told the Asbury Park Press he will not seek re-election, unless he changes his mind.

In light of the news, Chairman Adam Puharic has extended the deadline for candidates to submit letters of intent to run by two weeks. The deadline had been today. Serena DiMaso of Holmdel and John Curley of Red Bank have submitted letters. Freeholder Lillian Burry is running for re-election.

Assuming that Barham does not change his mind, this will be the fourth consecutive year that an incumbent Republican Freeholder was not a candidate in November. Ed Stominski was denied the party line by Chairman Bill Dowd in 2005 and lost in the primary to Rob Clifton. Ted Narozanik chose not to run rather than submit to Chairman Fred Nieman's screening committee in 2006. Andrew Lucas of Manalapan won a heated convention over the Mayor of Howell but lost to Democrat Barbara McMarrow. Last year, Puharic forced Anna Little off the ballot. Little turned down the Democratic nomination and declined to run in the Republican primary. Jeff Cantor of Marlboro won the nomination for Little's seat and lost to John D'Amico in the general election. Little was elected Mayor of Highlands.

Puharic praised Barham's service to the APP. Behind the scenes, Puharic has been looking for candidates and referring to Barham as a bonehead.

It is nice to agree with the Chairman now and then.

With Barham out of the race, a contested primary for his seat is less likely but still possible. Burry has made no secret of the fact that she would not run with Barham. She has considered Curley and Mel Hood of Neptune as possible running mates.

DiMaso has been closely aligned with Puharic, but broke with him recently over his policy of letting only the Mitt Romney campaign have access to county party resources in the Presidential primary race. DiMaso was the county coordinator of Women for Rudy.

While less likely, a contested primary is still very much a distinct possiblity. The US Senate campaign of "Jersey Joe" Pennachio is considering running a Freeholder slate on its line in the June primary. The Pennachio campaign is staffed by former Monmouth GOP Executive Director Dan Gallic and Chris Pardone, formerly of Senator Joe Kyrillos's state Senate campaign and the NJ for Romney campaign.

With Kyrillos now a possible US Senate candidate, the situation is very fluid. If Kyrillos does run, Puharic will very likely award him the Monmouth County line in the primary. Anne Estabrook, who has been considered the front runner for the US Senate nomination is a Monmouth County resident. Her campaign manager Mark Duffy has Monmouth County roots from running the Peters, Lucas and Little campaign in 2006. It would not surprise me to see Burry choose to run on Estabrook's line.

It's enough to make a grown man cry

Perhaps I've been too hard on Adam Puharic.

Back in February, Puharic commented to Greater Media that bloggers are mentally retarded and perpetuate a weak gene pool. At the time I called for Puharic's resignation, not for offending bloggers, but because I felt his comments were insensitive to those with mental disabilities and genetic disorders.

Perhaps Puharic was simply relating his experience of his favorite blogger, MonmouthRastaMan.

Yesterday, I was reviewing the public record of the case of James Purcell vs "Monmouth Rasta Man", a fictitious name for Alan Moretti, John Does 1-100 and ABC Corporation 1-100, when I came across a transcript of a deposition given by Alan's (Kid Rasta) father Albert.

The senior Moretti testified that when he read the Monmouth RastaMan website, he didn't believe his son had written it, because it was too coherent:

"It didn't sound like my son. My son has been classified by two states, the state of Texas and New Jersey, as being learning disabled. It just doesn't seem like his writing."

Given this new information, I am willing to give Puharic the benefit of the doubt and consider that he was not generalizing about all bloggers, but rather talking about his friend and supporter.

If only he had turned out this way...

Friday, June 09, 2006

Why the Party Needs Puharic

"I'm not a 'Western Monmouth' guy, or a 'Two Rivers' guy, or a 'Southern Shore' guy. I want to represent the Monmouth County wing of the Monmouth County Republican Party." -Adam Puharic, Candidate for Monmouth County, NJ Republican Chairman, from PoliticsNJ.com.

Leadership is vital to the success of any organization, business, political party, government entity, etc. Without leadership an organization tends to fracture or even dissolve. In Monmouth County NJ, the Republican party will decide on Tuesday, June 13, who their new leader will be.

There are some critical skills that stand above the rest when selecting a new chairman. These three skills are: (1) ability to unite the party, (2) fundraising ability, and (3) ability to put party before self.

First, the new Monmouth County Republican Chairman should be a person who not only wants to unite the Party, but is capable of uniting the party. The Party is currently fractured and needs effective leadership to facilitate unity through effective leadership and communication.

Second, the new chairman must be a proven fundraiser who can raise money effectively and ethically. Raising 10 million dollars means nothing if the money was acquired illegally. This last year hasn't exactly been a banner year for Republicans and ethics. Republicanism and sound ethical judgment should always coincide. Otherwise, the party will have disgraced itself, the Founding Fathers and the American people.

Third, and probably the rarest characteristic in any politically ambitious person, is the necessity of a chairman to put the Party before self. An effective chairman deflects positive press to candidates and to the Party, and is willing to take responsibility for the decisions of the Party in the public spotlight. A chairmen should live by Reagan's 11th commandment to "never slander a fellow Republican in public." Only a chairman willing to put the Party's interest above his/her own can truly wield leadership of the Party.

The aforementioned abilities are critical to picking the next chairman of the Monmouth County Republican Party. The party must put faith in their new chairman, but more importantly, the new chairman should be a person of strong faith. A smart man once said that "Faith is the only known antidote for failure." It would be comforting to have a chairman that represented, "the Monmouth County Wing of the Monmouth County Republican Party," instead of a portion of it.

Adam Puharic has throughout his career demonstrated all three abilities mentioned in the analysis above. He has brought differing minds together at the table. He is a man of strong faith and the highest ethical standards. He has raised over $750,000 with non-profits. Adam Puharic has demonstrated the ability to put the team before himself.

May the Republican County Committee pick the best Republican to lead them into the next election and the future.

Posted by Brett Palat at 10:10 AM

UPDATE 4/23/07

I was going to follow this post with an analysis of where Puharic has gone off track. However, DaTruthSquad beat me to it.

Do McEnery and Puharic have the same writer?

It's no secret that Manalapan GOP Chairman Steve McEnery and Monmouth GOP Chairman Adam Puharic are allies. McEnery was one of Puharic's thug body guards when Puharic met with then Freeholder Anna Little last year while they forcing her off the ballot for re-election.

McEnery has made two statements this week that he probably thinks are funny, but are unnecessarily insulting and inflammatory.

To the Asbury Park Press, in an article about the primary race Manalapan is having for GOP municipal candidates and county committee members, McEnery said, "The Republican Club or the Mickey Mouse Club can endorse anyone they want, with the same effect." If his political opponents are "Mickey Mouse," why even address them? McEnery will look Goofey if he loses.

Later this week, in a email leaked to "Teddy Roosevelt", McEnery makes what is arguably an ethnic slur against Jim Gianell, "I'm not sure how to say it in Greek, perhaps some one can translate for Mr. Giannell, what goes around, comes around."

Certainly, McEnery could make his points without being inflammatory, yet like his buddy Puharic, he can't resist making the dig that is really a gaffe.

More Screening Committee News

Adam Puharic told the Asbury Park Press that the Freeholder selection was a three way tie between John Curley, Serena DiMaso and Steven Walsh. MoreMonmouthMusings has gotten conflicting reports, one that is consistent with Puharic's report of a tie, and another that Curley was the favorite of the vast majority of screening committee members, and that DiMaso and Walsh were tied for second.

According to the press, Puharic said that he is empowered by the party's by-laws to make a selection in the event of a tie. There are no party by-laws and Puharic's resolution creating the rules for this year's screening process did not address the possibility of a tie.

For other offices, according to the APP and Poitickernj, Anne Estabrook was awarded the party's endorsement for US Senate. Keyport attorney Robert E. McLeod was awarded the endorsement for US Congress in the 6th district (Frank Pallone's district) and Holmdell Committeeman Alan Bateman was awarded the endorsement for US Congress in the 12th district (Rush Holt's)


Apparently, the convention will not have a say in the selection of the Congressional nominations. Puharic's resolution of January 2, 2008 said, "The screening committee shall recommend no more than two (2) persons per vacant office to be forwarded to the County Convention."

The games have officially begun.

One primary down, one to go. The June primary could be where the action is.

New Jersey had its first meaningful Presidential primary in years last week. There was little drama as Senator John McCain easily won New Jersey’s delegates to the Republican National Convention and Senator Hillary Clinton easily won the delegates to the Democratic Convention.

The June primary is shaping up to be dramatic, at least for the Republicans, statewide and especially in Monmouth County. In addition to electing a President this year, New Jersey voters will also elect a United States Senator. Democratic Senator Frank Lautenberg, who is older than the Highlands-Sea Bright Bridge, is running for re-election.

So far the Republican candidates for the Senatorial nomination are Anne Estabrook from Spring Lake, a real estate developer with lots of money and the former Chairwoman of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, State Senator “Jersey Joe” Pennacchio, a dentist from Morris County who had a catchy jingle in campaign last fall that you might have heard on the radio, and Murray Sabrin of Fort Lee, a professor at Ramapo State College, Chairman of the New Jersey for Ron Paul campaign and a one time Libertarian candidate for Governor. Despite Lautenberg’s low poll numbers, no one except the Republican candidates themselves think any of them stand a chance against Lautenberg. This race was set to be a snoozer.

Last week, on the same day that Mitt Romney withdrew from the race for the GOP Presidential nomination, Monmouth GOP Chairman Adam Puharic suggested that his mentor, State Senator Joe Kyrillos, enter the U.S. Senate race. “If Joe Kyrillos got in the race, it would be a game-changing event for New Jersey politics,” Puharic told Politickernj.com, a website that caters to political insiders and junkies. Kyrillos, who is much younger than the Highlands-Sea Bright Bridge, was the chairman of the Romney campaign in NJ.

Puharic is right. If Kyrillos gets in the race, it will change the primary game statewide, and especially in Monmouth County. If he can raise significant money, Kyrillos has a better chance against Lautenberg than the three already in the race.

At this late stage, Kyrillos will probably only get in if he can convince Anne Estabrook to bow out in his favor. Word on the street is that Pennacchio is in the race till the end, and that his campaign is looking for Freeholder candidates to join him on his ballot line, especially in Monmouth County. Sabrin will be in the race till the end, but will probably not be a factor.

The Monmouth GOP remains divided, as it has been since 2005 when Freeholder Ed Stominski was thrown off the ticket for re-election in a meeting of the party elite, including Kyrillos, at Judith Stanley-Coleman’s farm. Since then the party has been rocked by scandal and infighting, is on its third chairman and has seen its control of the county government slip from a 5-0 Freeholder majority to 3-2.

The seats of Freeholders Bill Barham and Lillian Burry are on the ballot this year, and a contested primary was likely as neither incumbent wants to run with the other. However, Barham bowed out last week, making a contested Freeholder primary less likely.

Less likely, but still probable. If Kyrillos doesn’t run for Senate, Puharic will probably award the party line to Estabrook. Freeholder candidates who don’t win the party line may be lured to join Pennacchio, whose campaign is being managed by for Monmouth GOP Executive Director Dan Gallic. If Kyrillos does run, and Estabrook stays in the race, there could be three Freeholder tickets in the primary. Estabrook’s campaign manager Mark Duffy has run several campaigns in Monmouth County. He can offer Freeholder candidates the best funded campaign.

Of course, it is possible that the Monmouth GOP will unite behind Kyrillos and there will be a boring uncontested primary for Freeholder. That will take a great deal of smoozing and soothing on Kyrillos’s part. His protégé Puharic flunked Dale Carnegie and is not up to that task on uniting the party at this point.

Whatever happens, it will be more entertaining than reality TV.

Also published in The Courier

Puharic warming to Pennacchio

After failing to change the game with Joe Kyrillos or Rudy Giuliani, Adam Puharic told Politikernj, that he's "growing more comfortable with Monmouth County Republicans getting behind his (Pennacchio's) candidacy for U.S. Senate." It is good to see Puharic riding the horse in the direction its going.

Politikernj also said that Puharic's opponents are trying to recruit former Sheriff Joe Oxley to run against Puharic in June.

Oxley could have won the chairmanship by acclamation in 2006, but declined to run. He is widely respected throughout the county and could unite a deeply divided party.

I will be very surprised if Oxley runs.

Go Get'em Adam!

Monmouth County Republican Chairman Adam Puharic

ON ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY, DEM BOOKKEEPER DEFENDS WHEELING-

1 Year Ago Dems Took Buckets of Outside Campaign Cash, Set to Do it Again -

Freehold Borough, NJ: Monmouth County Republican Chairman Adam Puharic today said that Monmouth Democrats are defending wheeling by attempting to redefine their practice of accepting excessive amounts of campaign cash raised from outside of the county in the final days of the campaign.

"The precedent has been set and I expect them to do it again this year," said Monmouth County Republican Chairman Adam Puharic. "Why else would their own bookkeeper look to defend this practice with only days to go in the campaign?"

In a letter to the editor yesterday, the Democrat treasurer charged with overseeing their party's finances defended wheeling and attempted to belittle the serious negative impact it has on elections. Last year, Monmouth Democrats wheeled in over $200,000 between October 26 and Election Day.

"They are attempting to mislead voters into thinking what they are about to do is acceptable," Puharic said. "The simple fact is they cannot escape from what they have done in the past. We are talking about taking hundreds of thousands of dollars from labor unions, special interest and Camden County party bosses, not grassroots contributions from family members."

In addition to taking over $80,000 from indicted former State Senator John Lynch, Democrats in Monmouth County received over $87,000 from labor unions outside of the county. The New York Council of Carpenters gave $25,000 to local Democrats last year and Camden County Democrat boss Joe Roberts rolled in $37,000.

"The proof is in the finance reports," said Puharic. "I find it hard to believe that New York labor bosses and political bosses from Camden County have a grassroots interest in Monmouth County. Instead of defending this they should join our calls to ban it and pledge not to do it again."

The practice of outside county party organizations and interest groups sending large sums of diverted contributions to impact a local race, known as "wheeling," is one of the most controversial issues in New Jersey politics today. Monmouth Democrats continue to reject GOP calls for campaign finance reforms.