County GOP celebrates women in politics GOP showcases female candidates for local, county and state office BY LORI ANNE OLIWA Correspondent The contributions that women make in the political arena were recognized and applauded June 1 by Monmouth County Republicans. "Hail to the Women in Politics," an event sponsored by both the Monmouth County Federation of Republican Women and the Monmouth County Republican Organization, celebrated the political accomplishments of women officeholders on the local, county and state levels. Marie Muhler, former county surrogate and five-term state assemblywoman, received a lifetime achievement award during the event, held at the Lincroft Inn. Monmouth County Republican Chairman Adam Puharic made the award presentation and said, "Marie Muhler's political career has spanned 30 years, and she has been a trailblazer for all women who have come after her." "We are not like any other county," Muhler said, adding, "Men actually encourage women to run for office here." Muhler also noted that there were only six women in the state Legislature when she was first elected as an assemblywoman. Women candidates running for county and state office were introduced and mingled with attendees to discuss their campaigns and express gratitude for the organizational support they have received. In attendance were: Kim Guadagno, candidate for county sheriff; County Clerk Claire French, who is running for re-election; Mary Pat Angelini, state Assembly candidate in the 11th District; Caroline Casagrande, state Assembly candidate in the 12th District; Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck, who is running for state Senate in the 12th District; and Assemblywoman Amy Handlin, who is running for re-election in the 13th District. Guadagno emphasized the qualifications of all the candidates. "People have to remember that we are qualified candidates first and women second," she said. Angelini extolled the virtues of women supporting women. "Two thousand seven is the year of girl power, and it is long overdue," she said. "I do want to thank all the role models, both men and women, who have come before me." Angelini is running as part of a ticket called "The Shore Team," which includes her running mate for state Assembly, Dave Rible. "Having Mary Pat on the ticket is great, and we will win together as a team," Rible said. "Girl power is wonderful." Beck, who arrived later in the evening, emphasized that her Senate campaign will involve a lot of personal contact with voters. "I will be pounding the pavement a lot and going door to door," she said. Handlin commented that the next election cycle is "full of promise for the future," adding, "Some wonderful things are happening." French did not comment specifically on her re-election campaign but commended all the women attendees. "Every woman in this room is outstanding and has supported me," she said. Casagrande had to leave the event early to attend her own fundraiser, and Puharic commented on her political acumen. "Caroline has grown up in this business and will be a tremendous asset in the state Assembly," he said. Monmouth County Republican Organization Vice Chairwoman Mollie Giamanco lauded the caliber of the candidates. "I am proud to say that the Republicans have more women on the ballot now than at any other time in the organization's history, and they are qualified women," she said. "I think we have definitely cracked the glass ceiling in politics." According to Giamanco, there are a total of 32 women running for office in the county. That includes elections on a local, county and state level. Monmouth County Federation of Republican Women President Kathy LoDato echoed the remarks made by Giamanco when she observed, "We have an amazing group of women candidates."