Joint Statement From:

Commissioner Director Tom Arnone

Commissioner Deputy Director Nick DiRocco

Commissioner Sue Kiley

Commissioner Ross Licitra

Commissioner Candidate Erik Anderson

Freehold, NJ – The Monmouth County Commissioners and candidates stand together in opposition to the unconstitutional politically-targeted bills sponsored by Monmouth’s only Democratic Senator Vin Gopal and Democrats in the Assembly to remove our strong Monmouth County Republican Chair.  Assembly Bill 5429 and Senate Bill 3838, which proposes to prohibit Constitutional Officers from serving as County Party Chairs, Co-Chairs and Vice Chairs, is a blatant violation of the First and Fourteenth Amendments.   Although it does not mention Chairman Shaun Golden by name, it is clear that he is the “target” of this legislation as he is the only person in the entire State of New Jersey affected by this proposed law. The targeting of one person is evidenced by the fact that the bill exempts State Party Chairs, State Committee members, Municipal Chairs, County Committee members, and other elected officials from this proposed restriction. Clearly, Senator Gopal, and his co-sponsor are weaponizing the legislature for political gain by using the power of the State government on one person rather than engaging in the democratic process.

With so many serious issues facing the State and the residents of Monmouth County, it is incomprehensible that Senator Gopal is focusing on partisan politics instead of doing the work of the people he represents. Senator Gopal’s actions demonstrate he is out of touch with his district and does not represent the true values of Monmouth County.  Instead of going after political opponents, Senator Gopal should be using his position as Chairman of the Education Committee to restore the millions of dollars which have gutted out of our schools, fighting against eliminating parental control over school curriculum and working to address the learning loss suffered by our children due to unprecedented lock downs. Equal effort should be applied to preventing the overdevelopment of our beautiful communities, and assisting the many small businesses which were destroyed by the full-scale shutdown of our economy. Clearly, Senator Gopal is trying to dismantle the strong Republican organization that is keeping his policies in check.

To propose a state law targeting one individual out of the over 9 million residents in the State of New Jersey cannot be tolerated.  It is not only unconstitutional in that it violates the First Amendment’s protections of freedom of speech and association and Fourteen Amendment’s protection of due process, it is petty, beneath the dignity of the New Jersey legislature and a clear abuse of power for political gain. This bill, in addition to all of its other failings, is undemocratic and un-American.  We stand united in opposition to this bill as should every citizen in New Jersey and fully support Chairman Golden.

Emily Certo

Monmouth County Republican Committee