County Republicans refine convention process

Chairman pushes reform, forms candidate screening committee
BY LORI ANNE OLIWA, Correspondent -the hub
02/02/2007

FREEHOLD - - Delivering on his promise of reform to Monmouth County Republicans, Chairman Adam Puharic recently announced a new candidate screening selection process for the 2007 general election cycles. Elected in June, Puharic is currently in his first term as chairman of the Monmouth County Republican Party.
"This is what I ran on when elected chairman," said Puharic. "I promised to refine and reform the convention process.
Under a recently passed resolution, the Monmouth County Republican Organization has created a candidate screening committee that will be responsible for evaluating potential candidates seeking the party's nomination and endorsement for county, state or federal elective office.
"Only the best candidates as determined by the screening committee will be put forth for a vote by county committee members at a convention," explained Puharic, adding, "No more than two persons per vacant office will be forwarded to the county convention."
Puharic explained the process in detail in an e-mail: Any candidate seeking the organization's nomination and endorsement must not only submit a detailed resume to the screening committee, but must also agree to a comprehensive interview by committee members.
When successfully screened, the two chosen candidates must then agree to participate in a Republican county convention. The candidates must also agree that, should they lose the Republican county convention, they will support the winner and agree not to run against the party line.
"I want the best. If the screening process uncovers vulnerabilities, then the candidate is not an ideal candidate," said Puharic.
He conceded that the process might seem harsh. "The majority of Republicans have reacted positively. The screening process needs to show if a candidate is capable and qualified to make important economic decisions along with other types of decisions."
The screening committee is comprised of members of the Board of Chosen Freeholders, County Constitutional Officers, State Legislators, Municipal Chairs from geographically diverse parts of the county, Executive Board members and members-at-large.
The new procedure comes at a time when ethics at all levels of government are being scrutinized. Puharic acknowledged that the new process is a response to public concern about ethics on all levels of politics.
"The last two Republican county conventions had less to do with who the best candidates were and more to do with who the chairman was," he said. Puharic also mentioned that problems with second-round voting resulted in past conventions being "like wild west shows." He added, "There is only one Republican Party, not 53 local parties."
Asked about his role as an agent of change and the results he would like to see, Puharic said, "I want to create the legacy of a stronger chairmanship. I will not sit powerless. The organization needs a leader, not a dictator."
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Adam Puharic, Chairman
Monmouth County Republican Party
www.MonmouthRepublican.org
info@MonmouthRepublican.org
732.431.6664