Vetting the Freeholder Candidates

Freeholder Candidates Stand For Tea Party Vetting

Monmouth GOP Committee Members Will Choose One to Replace Clifton

Candidates Ryan Green, Peter Doyle, Serena DiMaso, and Bob WalshWednesday, 1/11/2012—Last night four local elected officials faced a combined group of Tea Party members and the general public to explain each why they should be chosen to replace Robert Clifton on the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders, which fills the legislative and executive functions in the government of Monmouth County.

Tea Party Leaders: Mark Falzone of the Jersey Shore Tea Party Patriots, Barbara Gonzalez of the Bayshore Tea Party Group, and Frank Cottone of the Monmouth County Tea Party Coalition  Director Clifton is newly elected to the State Assembly, and his vacated seat will be filled by an election conducted among the members of the Monmouth County Republican Commitee.

Each candidate spoke briefly about her/his experience, qualifications, priorities and vision of the office to which they aspire.  All four have experience in elected office: Serena DiMaso in Holmdel, Peter Doyle in Highlands, Ryan Green in Manalapan, and Bob Walsh in Howell.  After their introductions, the floor was opened to questions.  A line soon formed at the microphone, and all four struggled a little to cover the range of issues raised.  Some questions were tightly focussed on local government;  others involved state and federal issues of concern to residents.  None of the candidates fell back on a stump speech, but at one time or another each struggled to get past platitudes, especially where national issues were raised.

Waiting to Question the Candidates

At the end of the allotted time (and with questions left unasked) a straw poll was held.  The totals among Tea Party members were sixteen (of thirty-two total) for Ms. DiMaso of Holmdel; eight for Mr. Doyle of Highlands, six for Mr. Walsh of Howell, and two for Mr. Green of Manalapan.

Serena DiMasoPete DoyleRyan GreenBobby Walsh More photos can be found here.