Howes Praises Republican Engagement As County Committee Filings Reach All-Time High

Somerset County Chairman Also Condemns Voter Intimidation Tactics By DiFrancesco-Zaikov’s’s Trenton Lobbyist Cabal

Thursday, March 28, 2024 (Somerville)
For Immediate Release

Chairman Tim Howes today lauded rank-and-file Republicans throughout Somerset County for stepping up and filing what appear to be a record number of county committee petitions at the filing deadline earlier this week.

“Monday is a day our party should celebrate, with record engagement at all levels in Somerset County. We believe that a record number of enthusiastic Republicans filed for County Committee here in Somerset, a sign of growing strength and engagement in our message and our cause. We believe upwards of 485 committee people have filed throughout Somerset County, including filings in non-traditional Republican areas like North Plainfield and Franklin and in areas where we are looking to reclaim ground like South Bound Brook. We believe over 55 of these filings are first-time filers recruited either through the SCRO’s outreach under my direction or in collaboration with municipal party organizations who share our vision of a rejuvenated county party liberated from the self-interested entanglements of my predecessor’s regime.

“Unfortunately, however, it appears that this record participation has not been met with enthusiasm in all quarters. I have been receiving reports since Monday that supporters of my opponent in this year’s chairperson election, Ms. DiFrancesco-Zaikov, have been trying to persuade newly filed committee people into withdrawing from the race, many even showing up at these voters’ homes. I am informed that the mayors of Branchburg and Hillsborough and the deputy mayor of Bernards were among the individuals that engaged in this effort. This behavior is far beneath the dignity of individuals in positions of authority and the effort could be interpreted by someone newly involved in local government to be an official action by the Township. Needless to say, it is highly inappropriate.

“This intimidation campaign by Ms. DiFrancesco-Zaikov’s supporters makes Somerset County look like a banana republic. It is the antithesis of democracy and party-building, as well as a sign of things to come if her supporters are handed the reins of the Somerset County Republican Organization later this year. The elected officials who participated should lace up their shoes and head back out today to apologize to the individuals they harassed and welcome them to our organization, as I do with great enthusiasm.

“I do not know Ms. DiFrancesco-Zaikov’s involvement in this embarrassing effort, but I call on her to join me in condemning it utterly. We know her campaign is run by a cabal of Trenton lobbyists seeking to regain power to monetize our organization for their benefits, so it is entirely possible she is not in the loop on some of these decisions. She should take this opportunity to join me in condemning it.

“Monday’s filings represent the culmination of what has always been the hallmark of my chairmanship – expansion of the Somerset County Republican Organization to all corners of the county, across all demographic groups, and including all opinions and viewpoints. With new voices and renewed energy, the future of our organization is bright and democracy is very much alive here in Somerset County.”