Palatucci Deepens Involvement in Morris GOP Chair’s Contest
One of former Governor Chris Christie’s close political associates is wading into the contentious battle for Morris County Republican chairman.
Attorney Bill Palatucci has issued a statement supporting the Morris County Republican Victory PAC. He said the organization is a legally operated PAC “that is crucial to Republican election success.”
He added, “I have reviewed the records of MRVP and I find that it is 100 percent legal – properly registered as a Continuing Political Committee with the N.J. Election Law Enforcement Commission.”
You normally would not think that a political action committee formed to elect Republicans would cause any controversy for Morris County Republicans. But these days are different.
The party is bracing for a chairman’s election this June between Robert Zwigard and Ronald DeFilippis. Many of those who support the PAC support Zwigard.
This prompted a complaint to be filed late last year with ELEC alleging that the PAC was an “independent expenditure committee,” and thus, not permitted to support individual candidates. The Victory PAC has financially supported individual candidates since it was formed more than 10 years ago.
ELEC officials do not comment on complaints, but common sense suggests the Victory PAC is being criticized by those who want to politically embarrass Zwigard and his supporters.
That has resulted in PAC supporters publicly defending the organization and its work. As Palatucci affirms, supporters say the PAC always has been registered as a Continuing Political Action Committee, and as such, is permitted to support individual candidates. PAC supporters have expressed concern that the ELEC complaint would adversely impact contributions.
The PAC’s chairman, Tim Smith, who is a former Roxbury Township councilman, said, “We are pleased by the overwhelming support we have received from Republicans across the state of New Jersey in the face of unsubstantiated false claims against our organization by those looking to divide the Republican Party. It is heartening that so many grassroots Republicans and elected officials have come to our defense to support the good work that we do.”
Smith said Palatucci’s support is gratifying, noting the attorney’s background as chairman of Christie’s 2013 reelection campaign and general counsel to the then-governor’s 2016 presidential campaign.
Christie has not involved himself in state politics since leaving office, although he is quite familiar with the often-warring ways of Morris County Republicans. It may be ancient history now, but during the start of his political career in the mid-1990s, Christie engaged in many internal battles with his GOP peers, some of which ended up in the courtroom.
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I wish he would go away. He shoved Christie down our throats and he destroyed what little there was of a GOP in this state. How much more losing can we take? NJ GOP has to be about more than making Bill rich.