[Republican Chair] Sheehan, declaring Marshal Law in Bergen, cancels election...

PoliticsNJ.com ^ | 6/11/02 | Ziva

[Ziva]

PoliticsNJ.com 

Updated on 06/12/02 12:01 AM

Sheehan, declaring Marshal Law in Bergen, cancels election... The reorganization meeting of the Bergen County Republican Organization was abruptly cancelled tonight when a group of Republicans led by State Sen. Gerald Cardinale surprised GOP County Committee members b nominating Bogota Mayor Steven Lonegan for County Chairman.  Sources say that the incumbent, James Sheehan, may not have had the votes to win and decided he'd be better off postponing the election until next Tuesday.  Sheehan said that he wanted to set up election machines.

Cardinale reportedly blames Sheehan for his defeat at the Bergen GOP convention in April.  Cardinale, seeking the organization line in the race for the 5th district congressional seat, had claimed that there were irregularities in the voting because 9th district delegates voted on the wrong machines.  But Sheehan refused Cardinale's request for a new vote.

Former state Banking Commissioner Elizabeth Randall dropped her bid for Vice Chairwoman, and Mary Ann Lamber, a former District 37 GOP Chairwoman, entered the race to challenge Marlene Casey for the post. (06/11/02)

[Ziva]

I was there. They had no preparations for even paper ballots even though they knew the vice chair's race was contested. They held the initial vote as a voice vote. When the acting chair claimed Sheehan was reelected, many insisted on a paper ballot. Even when Marlene Casey appeared to win the voice vote for vice chair, we also supported a paper ballot. A ballot was the only fair way to record the vote.

Also, many municipal clerks failed to get their county committee certifications out on time, so many of us were there without it. The acting chair announced that we had to show our certifications and without it would not be able to vote. This had NOT been announced prior to the meeting.

What chaos! If you want a few more details, ask me in FReepmail.

[Mo1]

SUPPORT FREE REPUBLIC

Donate Here By Secure Server

Or mail checks to
FreeRepublic , LLC
PO BOX 9771
FRESNO, CA 93794

or you can use

PayPal at Jimrob@psnw.com

[Ziva]

No, no, Cardinale is SUPPORTING Lonegan, who is supported by FReepers. Both Cardinale and Lonegan have been unfairly and illegally treated by Sheehan, so they worked together to try to get justice.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

At least when old Web Todd (Christy Whitman's dad) was running Bergen County, they made the trains run on time. Now they are using tactics that wouldn't pass muster at a YR meeting. How the mighty have fallen.

[LonePalm]

This sounds more like any given Democrat reorganization meeting than a Republican one. The DRUDGEREPORT mentioned a knife fight at the Democrat meeting in Atlantic City.

I was at the Monmouth County reorganization dinner last night. Things couldn't have been nicer or happier. We were completely done with business before everyone could be served dinner. The applause took as much time as anything. Life's tough on the rubber salmon circuit.

Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)

[AppyPappy]

What is Marshall Law?

[Coleus]

What do the bylaws say? I thought most counties reorganize in January.

How is Steve's campaign coming along? I haven't heard much.

[Billthedrill]

I think it's real estate law - as in "Marshall Fields."

[KC Burke]

Well, at least you guys weren't like the Democrats....they pulled their knives out for a knife fight.....LOL

[TruthShallSetYouFree]

What is Marshall Law?

You know, like Wyatt Earp.

[Exit 109]

I was at the Monmouth County reorganization dinner last night. Things couldn't have been nicer or happier. We were completely done with business before everyone could be served dinner. The applause took as much time as anything. Life's tough on the rubber salmon circuit.

Hey, sorry I missed the chance to say hi. Are you implying Jacque's cuisine is worse Buck Smith's? :-D

What did you think of my "so moved"? Dowd owes me for that little surprise. Jim and I were wondering just what we've done to be singled out in such a manner.

[Exit 109]

Lonegan is backing off:

PoliticsNJ.com
News Briefs
Updated on 06/13/02 06:39 PM

Lonegan drops out of race for Bergen GOP Chairman... Bogota Mayor Steven Lonegan, whose unexpected candidacy for Bergen County Republican Chairman against incumbent James Sheehan put the local GOP organization in turmoil Tuesday evening, has dropped his bid for County Chairman. Insiders say that Lonegan's best shot was a sneak attack, and Sheehan's decision to postpone the vote until next week gives his forces ample time to turn out their votes. (06/13/02)

[Exit 109]

What do the bylaws say? I thought most counties reorganize in January.

In Monmouth it's once every two years, after we elect County Committee. Municipal reorg takes place the first monday after the primary, county the day after that. (i.e. - The reorg we just went through is intra party - county committee critters like us, municipal and county PARTY organizations. GOP, Dems, Libertarians, etc.)

Reorg for critters elected in November - town council, freeholders, assembly, senate, etc. takes place in January.

[Coleus]

Thanks.

I see that Steve pulled out of the race, I wonder who got to him?

[Coleus]

Why is Lonegan wimping out? Was he threatened or what?

[Exit 109]

Don't know. Perhaps he realized that after the surprise attack, he didn't have the votes? I think Ziva would have a better handle on the particulars. Gossip travels fast in County organizations.

Here's the press release regarding this mess:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:          CONTACT:

Thursday, June 13, 2002           Jeanette Hoffman (609) 989-7300

STATEMENT OF SENATOR JOE KYRILLOS ON BERGEN COUNTY GOP ELECTION

TRENTON—Senator Joe Kyrillos, New Jersey Republican State Chairman, today released the following statement regarding the Bergen County Republican Organization Chairman’s election:

“Jim Sheehan is the only candidate running for Bergen County Republican Chairman, and I am confident he will continue to serve the Party with distinction and lead Bergen Republicans to victory in November, as he did last year. 

“Pete Sheridan, legal counsel, for the Republican State Committee, will be on-hand during Tuesday’s election to ensure a fair and orderly proceeding.

“The Republican State Committee looks forward to working with Bergen County Republicans in electing Scott Garrett to Congress, Senator Hank McNamara as County Executive and retaining control of the Bergen County Freeholder Board in November.”