The cost of in-fighting and rumor blogs

A "Wireside Chat" from Chairman Adam Puharic
Dear fellow Republicans:
Today’s Asbury Park Press brings us good news about the dissention and chaos that is occurring within the Monmouth County Democrats. I want to once again thank each and every Monmouth County Republican for providing me with such an orderly transition and unified spirit in my first two months as Chairman. I could give each of you a hug! I also want to caution you about the use of blogs to give away useful truths about our opponents, in August and not October. Happy reading, and keep up the good work.

Adam Puharic
Chairman

Democrats won't back Inzerillo
Party, Freeholder candidate at odds
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 08/3/06
BY BOB CULLINANE
STAFF WRITER
The Monmouth County Democratic Organization on Wednesday withdrew its endorsement of Leonard L. Inzerillo for freeholder because the candidate failed to file necessary state financial reports on his aborted campaign for a state Assembly seat.
Inzerillo, a former Middletown Board of Education member, acknowledged that the mandatory reports were not filed, but said it was the party-assigned treasurer who was at fault. He vowed to continue his campaign for the Board of Freeholders in November, with or without the party's backing.
"This is not about campaign filings," Inzerillo said of the party's stated reason for backing off his candidacy.
"This is about the direction this party is taking. I questioned that direction, and as a result, I was told I was "out of control.' Well, I won't be bullied and I won't be bossed," Inzerillo said.
Inzerillo added that it was he who discovered the required financial filings were not made while reading a Web log, or blog, about six weeks ago. He said he immediately contacted county party Chairman Victor Scudiery, who told him to quit the race.
"That's an outright lie," Scudiery said Wednesday of making such a demand.
Scudiery also denied that the treasurer for Inzerillo's 2005 exploratory campaign for Assembly — whom both identify as Robin Panten — was to blame for the missing paperwork.
"He's the candidate and he's responsible," Scudiery said.
Despite what he said was the treasurer's error, Inzerillo agreed that he should have been aware that the required paperwork was not filed with the state Election Law Enforcement Commission.
He said he would be in Trenton today to make those belated filings.
"We're only talking a couple thousand dollars," he said. "But I do take responsibility. I should have made sure this was done."
Panten, who is a former executive director of the county party, could not be reached for comment.
The internal dispute in the county Democratic Party likely will do little to improve its chances of breaking the more-than-20-year grip Republicans have held on the freeholder board.
With Inzerillo vowing to continue his campaign, and the Democrats unable to replace him on the ballot, the standoff leaves Barbara McMorrow as the sole party-backed candidate for the two freeholder seats at stake in November's election.
"You think we want this?" Scudiery said of the Democrats' predicament. "We had no choice. We gave (Inzerillo) every opportunity" to regain the party's endorsement.
"I hope he comes to his senses and resigns," he said.
Scudiery also said the missing filings came to light during a standard investigation conducted on Inzerillo after his nomination at the party's convention in March.
Inzerillo called that contention "an outright lie," saying, "I Googled my name and found this blog, which said I hadn't filed. I was the one who brought this to the party."
The unreported filings are related to an exploratory campaign Inzerillo mounted for a future 13th District Assembly race after he failed to win in a Democratic primary in June 2005.
Michael W. Mangan, a spokesman for the county Democratic Party, said Inzerillo "raised funds and he spent money" in that effort, Mangan said, "but he did not report it to ELEC."
According to Frederick M. Herrmann, executive director of ELEC, candidates forming an exploratory committee are required to report contributions and expenditures.
"Years ago, we had something called "testing the waters' campaigns, which meant someone raising and spending money to explore a run for office," Herrmann said.
He said such campaigns were not required to file ELEC reports until the person officially declared candidacy.
"But that changed years ago and now, in general terms, you have to start reporting to ELEC" in such instances, Herrmann said.
Inzerillo concluded that he is being abandoned by the party in retaliation for his criticism of the party's executive director, Kate Burlett.
"Vic (Scudiery) is getting bad advice from her," Inzerillo said, "and I made a point of saying so."
Burlett, according to party spokesman Mangan, is on vacation and unavailable for comment.
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Adam Puharic, Chairman
Monmouth County Republican Party
www.MonmouthRepublican.org
info@MonmouthRepublican.org
732.431.6664