Open seats fuel intense race in 11th District
Property tax reform, ethics cited as key issues
BY LORI ANNE OLIWA
Correspondent

Assemblyman Steven Corodemus (R-11)

Two open State Assembly seats in the 11th Legislative District, which comprises 25 towns along the Jersey Shore, have ignited an intense competition among a wide array of candidates.

The vacancies were created by the recent announcements from Sen. Joseph Palaia and Assemblyman Steven Corodemus, both Republicans, that they would not seek re-election.

Assemblyman Sean T. Kean (R-11) currently serving his third term in the State Assembly, announced last week in a press release that he would be seeking his party's nomination for the State Senate seat being vacated by Palaia and would not seek re-election to the State Assembly.

Corodemus (R-11) an eight-term legislator who is also the longest serving incumbent in Monmouth County history, announced recently that he would not be seeking re-election for a ninth term in the Assembly.

"It is not often that this kind of movement occurs for Assembly seats in the 11th District," said Corodemus during an interview last week. "There are quite a few stars in the Monmouth County Republican Party." Corodemus also commented on the atmosphere in Trenton and expressed frustration at what is occurring there.

Assemblyman Sean Kean (R-11)

"Significant reforms are not being made; dual-office holding and earmarking are making a mockery of government. Ethics was definitely an issue in my decision to not seek re-election, and I choose to no longer be part of an organization that is not catering to the needs of its constituents," stated Corodemus.

Within the Monmouth County Republican Party, five individuals filed letters of intent by the Feb. 1 deadline to seek their party's nomination, according to an e-mail from Adam Puharic, chairman of the county Republican Organization.

In a previous interview, Puharic also explained that he had enacted some reforms to the convention system, creating a candidate screening committee. He explained that the committee will be responsible for interviewing candidates and deciding which ones will be forwarded for a county committee vote at the party convention March 24. He also stated that the screening committee will meet Feb. 17 to make that decision.

State Sen. Joseph Palaia (R-11)

Despite some controversy over the process, Puharis said there is support for this reform from the current Assembly candidates.

"All five candidates are supportive of the process and will screen before the committee.

"Clearly, the possible candidates for the 11th District are among the strongest crop of well-qualified individuals ever fielded by this or any political party," he stated in the e-mail. "We have a great selection of professional, experienced and exceptional people from which to choose."

The five GOP candidates are: former Wall Township police officer and past-president of the Wall Township Republican Club, David Rible; Ocean Township GOP Vice-Chairwoman Mary Pat Angelini; Neptune Township Committeeman and former Mayor Thomas Catley; Monmouth Beach Commissioner and former Federal Prosecutor Kim Guadagno; and Mayor William Larkin of Ocean Township.

During interviews, each candidate submitted statements supporting his or her candidacy.

Rible stated, "My background as a small business owner, former police officer and past president of the Southern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce make me a unique candidate and provide me with an in-depth understanding of crucial issues. I am creative, a good listener and have zero tolerance for political corruption. I will bring a different perspective to Trenton."

Rible is also a past president of the Wall PBA, a community volunteer and is the owner of Dr. Lock Inc., according to a press release.

"I want to be part of the solution, not part of the problem," stated Mary Pat Angelini. "My biggest concern is voter apathy. People feel they have no voice whatsoever and that their opinions have no bearing on outcomes. I will work hard to become a strong voice. Angelini, the executive director of Prevention First, a non-profit agency in Ocean Township, also feels her candidacy is a referendum on getting women involved in the political process.

"I want to call attention to the fact that women need to get more involved and have a unified voice," she said.

Catley, an attorney and former assistant Monmouth County prosecutor, stated, "My candidacy can be described using two very important words - experience and electability. I was elected

Neptune Township mayor in 2004, 2005 and 2006 and am currently serving as a committeeman. Catley said during the interview that his length of service is significant because Democratic registrations in Neptune Township outnumber Republican registrations by a 2-1 ratio.

"This shows my proven ability to get elected," he said, adding, "I stand for true and lasting property tax reform. The bill that was just passed in Trenton is not true reform. The fat is in Trenton, not in local governments."

Guadagno, a law professor at Rutgers University and current Monmouth Beach commissioner, said her professional experience gives her the ability to understand matters of law and ethics. In the interview she declined to discuss her platform, since the GOP screening process and convention will decide whether she will be a candidate for Assembly.

"I do not want to be premature and presume that I will get past the screening process. I think it's a great process. Having been a former federal prosecutor, my background has been checked so many times that I cannot even count," Guadagno said.

Larkin, current mayor of Ocean Township, stated, "I stand as good a chance as anyone else. The other candidates are good people also."

Commenting on the candidate selection process, Larkin said, "It is my decision to agree to all the requirements. I do hope that the screening committee looks at a candidate's total experience and matches skills with the job."

When discussing his qualifications for higher office, Larkin mentioned that he has served on many committees in Ocean Township adding, "I started on the town council in 1991 and served on the Planning Board, the Recreation Commission and the Alcohol and Drug Alliance. I have served for 16 years."

On the Democratic side, there is only one person who has filed officially to be a candidate, according to Mike Mangan, a spokesman for the Monmouth County Democrats.

"There is only one person who has filed officially, but there are a number of individuals who have expressed interest to the organization," he said. "As a result, I cannot divulge those other names until which time they file formal letters of intent."

Jason Jones, an elected member of the Neptune Township School Board, is seeking the Democratic nomination for Assembly. According to his bio, Jones is a life-long resident of Neptune Township and is an adjunct professor at Brookdale Community College as well as a financial adviser.

During an interview, Jones pointed to his service on the school board.

"My board service has provided me with a unique opportunity for leadership," he said. According to a press release, Jones also serves as vice president for programs and public relations on the Monmouth County School Boards Association.

In the press release, Jones made the following statement about his candidacy. "All towns in the 11th District are not dealing with the same issues, but they do have one thing in common - a need for an advocate to work toward positive solutions to concerns. I have had the opportunities to work in settings that have prepared me for such a time as this. I believe that my leadership provides added value to those issues that are set before this district."

The Monmouth County Democrats will choose their candidates at a party convention on March 31, according to Mangan.

"I think when you're talking about the 11th District Assembly race, Democrats have the best chance they've had in years, coming off the victories in municipalities across the county and also in the freeholder's race. The Democratic party is poised to take back the 11th District.

Monmouth County Democratic Party Chairman Victor Scudiery was unavailable for comment.