Chairman Adam Puharic Calls for New Ethical Leadership in Campaign Fundraising

Voluntary Spending Limits, Web Report Postings, Compliance Oversight
For Immediate Release
August 4, 2006
Contact: Adam Puharic
732-431-6664
Freehold, NJ – Monmouth County Republican Chairman Adam Puharic today called for reform in countywide campaign fundraising, and is issuing a challenge to Democrats in raising the bar in ethical public service. Chairman Puharic announced the creation of his plan, entitled “An Ethical Roadmap for Monmouth County Republicans,” which calls for web posting of ELEC reports, voluntary spending limits, as well as an independent council to oversee contributions given to Republicans.
“It is time to focus on public service, take campaign fundraising out of darkness, and begin the process of restoring public confidence in our political process,” Chairman Puharic said. “Republicans have lead the way in making this county a great place to live, work and raise a family. Now it is time to lead the way in setting a new standard for campaigns, candidates and the next generation of Republican leaders.”
“An ethical Roadmap for Monmouth County Republicans” establishes an election law compliance council to provide the county Republican Treasurer with 24-hour advice in adhering to all campaign finance laws. The Council consists of four or more independent professionals from legal, accounting, and public service backgrounds. Within 48 hours of receipt of any contribution, volunteers will notify the members of the Council. The Compliance Council will in turn advise the Chairman and Treasurer whether the Monmouth County Republican Committee (MCRC) should accept this contribution. Promptly, the treasurer will then deposit or return the contribution.
The Monmouth County Republican Committee will begin internet postings of our regular ELEC report filings on the web site at http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=5nmklxbab.0.kwiklxbab.64uixsbab.185&ts=S0201&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.monmouthrepublican.org%2F. Reports will be posted on or before Election Law compliance deadline. As part of the new ethics plan, on a monthly basis, Republican municipal chairman from across Monmouth County will be invited to attend compliance school, at the headquarters on W. Main Street. The sessions will be approximately one hour in length, providing municipal leaders with a comprehensive understanding of all campaign finance reform law, as well as best practices each town may establish to ensure transparency and openness in the campaign process.
The Monmouth County Republican Committee calls on Victor Scudiery and the Monmouth County Democrats to limit total campaign expenditures in the 2006 county election cycle to $75,000 per candidate, or $225,000. The Monmouth County Republicans will abide by this limit, if our opponents will agree to the same spending limits. All of these changes will apply to the Monmouth County Republican Committee account.
“When I was elected to serve as Chairman, I campaigned to raise the bar, professionalize the organization, and run a Republican party that we can all be proud of,” Chairman Puharic said. “I ask the Monmouth County Democrats to follow our lead and give the residents a political process they deserve.”
To view the complete plan, log onto http://www.monmouthrepublican.org
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Adam Puharic, Chairman
Monmouth County Republican Party
www.MonmouthRepublican.org
info@MonmouthRepublican.org
732.431.6664