DeCroce a no-show at first Assembly debate with Bergen

MONTVILLE, N.J. – Former Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce was a no-show at the first debate for Republican candidates running to represent the 26th legislative District.  The event was sponsored by the Montville Township Republican Club.

“It wasn’t surprising that BettyLou didn’t show up,” explained Brian Bergen (R-Morris) whose running against DeCroce.  “Running away from a fight is the only thing she is good at.”

Before losing the Assembly seat she held for ten years in the Republican primary in 2021, Bergen said she lacked the courage to take on Gov. Phil Murphy during the pandemic.

“While she hid in the Statehouse basement, I did all the heavy lifting in battling vaccination and mask regulations,” added Bergen.

During the debate, Bergen also distributed a package showing DeCroce failed to vote on the Assembly floor nearly one out of every four times during her career and supplied a detailed list of every single vote in a larger booklet for everyone to read.

The Montville Township Republican Club announced the debate in late February and requested candidates accept by April 3. DeCroce never responded even after the deadline was extended.

As for the future, Bergen still wants to give DeCroce a shot at a debate.

“Anytime, anywhere. Let’s debate the issues and let the people see who really has their interests in mind. But I bet it never comes. In any event, I’ll be waiting and ready,” concluded Bergen.