GOP Sweeps, Other Than Stunning Angelini and Casagrande Loss

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Large Influx of Democrat Money in 11th District

By Muriel J. Smith
NEPUNE – There were mixed feelings but an overall sense of joy and success at Jumping Brook Country Club on election night, as four of the six GOP Assembly members representing Monmouth County were returned to office. John Curley won his third term on the Board of Freeholders, and Christine Hanlon was overwhelmingly elected to her first five-year term as County Clerk.
Shock and disappointment was felt over the loss by the 11th district candidates Mary Pat Angelini and Carolyn Casagrande, both seeking their second terms represent- ing the only district in New Jersey, along with Sen. Jennifer Beck, with an all-female state legislative unit. They will be succeeded by Democratic newcomers Eric Houghtaling and Joanne Downey who squeaked to victories with 26 and 25 percent of the vote, compared to the Republicans’ 25 and 24.39 percent, making it the first time since 1991 that the Democrats have represented this district.
While there is a possibility the unofficial totals might change the outcome after all provisional and absentee ballots are counted, there was no early talk of any recount. However, both assemblywomen assured the audience that while they stay in Trenton, “we will keep voting against any tax increases.”
Before the more than 100 guests at the GOP gathering, Casagrande blasted the Democrat super fund money she said was poured into her opponents’ campaign by outside interests, saying, “When you are combating hundreds of thousands of dollars in super fund money, it takes a village.” But she softened her words with heartfelt thanks and gratitude for serving as Assemblywoman, saying it has been the honor of a lifetime. “Being able to make sure we were helping constituents, being able to be on the front lines of Trenton, not bought and sold politicians. There’s a reason we run against a few hundred thousand dollars every year.”
Angelini agreed, and added the election should serve as “a lesson for the Republican Party that money can potentially take away two seats that have worked so hard for our district. We are on the right side of the issues and I don’t give a darn how much money they throw at us, we are on the right side.”
Speaking for herself and running mate Houghtaling, Downey Wednesday night credited the hard work they both put into their campaign, knocking on more than 6,000 doors and listening to the people. “I had people tell me they were so grateful, they never had a politician knock on their door before,” she said. “It felt good to talk to them, to learn what they were thinking, to know ways in which we could help them.”
Making property taxes more affordable is their primary initial goal, the assemblywoman elect said. “We’re supposed to be following the American dream, work hard, take care of your home and family,” she continued, “but we heard from people who have three jobs, do all the right things, and still have difficulty achieving that dream.” Downey said she could understand their plight, because as an attorney married to another professional and with two children, they, too have struggled. “I feel it,” she said, “so I can feel for the family that has to work three jobs and still can’t make it.”
Taking on the Assembly position while still maintaining her law practice will not be difficult, Downey continued, since “I’ve always been in a job where I talk to people, I’ve been in a position where I can help people, and this is simply an extension of what I’ve always been doing.”
“We’re not there yet,” Downey laughed, referring to the fact the new Assemblypersons do not take office until Jan. 1. “And I can’t tell you how we’re going to solve the tax problem. But I can tell you we’re going to listen to the people, visit the municipalities, see what they want. There’s the possibility of shared services down the line, but we have to talk to the municipalities. We can’t give you any specifics until we design the most workable solutions. We have to wait to get to Trenton to do this,” she laughed, adding, “but we’re on the way.
In District 13, which covers most of the rest of the Two River area, Amy H. Handlin and Declan O’Scanlon easily claimed victories returning them to office over Democrats Jeanne Cullinane and Thomas Herman and independent candidate Joshua Leinsdorf.
Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno was at Jumping Brook to congratulate the winners in her home county, and reminded the Republicans gathered that they are strong, showing it during a campaign season where they “left nothing undone; we left everything in the field. There’s no place I’d rather be tonight. We’re all family and we are as strong as ever.
“County Sheriff Shaun Golden, Chairman of the County Republican Committee pointed out the GOP was outspent three to one, volunteers made more than 60,000 phone calls and knocked on more than 20,000 doors during the campaign season,” she said. There was widespread applause and cheers around the room when Guadagno was introduced as “the next governor of New Jersey.”
Hanlon, exuberant in her victory as county clerk, lauded her predecessor, Claire French, whom she described as her mentor and pseudo mentor. French, who was present for an election night gathering for the first time, smiled and accepted the plaudits quietly.
Not so Freeholder Curley, who put aside the microphone in the large room to speak in thunderous tones that the GOP wins represented “a great night for the taxpayers of Monmouth County.” He added that “transparency is the name of the game,” reminding the crowd that Monmouth County is a microcosm of the nation and the GOP should continue in its leadership role for the rest of the nation.

Local 2015 election coverage on The Two River Times

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