McKenna challenges Scudiery, 11-year chair McKenna makes bid for county Democratic chairmanship der=0 bgcolor=”#D0D0D0″> Paul Dowd The Hub Democrats will square off for the coveted chairmanship of the Monmouth County Democratic Organization. Red Bank Mayor Edward J. McKenna Jr. has announced his formal candidacy and will challenge incumbent Victor Scudiery, who has been at the helm for 11 years. McKenna, who has been the mayor of Red Bank since 1990, is looking to improve the status of county Democrats, noting that they have not won a countywide election since 1986. "That’s 14 long, frustrating years," McKenna, an active Democrat of over 20 years, said in announcing his bid. "I can provide the leadership we need to strengthen our party and to return us to the winning column," he added. Scudiery, however, sees the situation of county Democrats as very good, citing his work with local mayors and municipalities in establishing seminars and raising money for campaigns. "I think we were really hurt by Florio’s $2 billion tax package and that hurt the perception of Democrats countywide," Scudiery said. "But now we are starting to gain momentum, especially in western Monmouth where in towns like Marlboro, Manalapan and Aberdeen, we have regained the majority." der=0 bgcolor=”#D0D0D0″> Aberdeen’s Township Council is solidly Democratic, while in Keyport, Democrats hold the mayor’s seat and a 4-2 Borough Council majority. In Hazlet, where the party has been splintered for several years, Democrats lost their 3-2 majority last fall, but still hold two seats. Matawan Democrats also lost control last fall, after gaining it for just one year, when Republicans took three of the six council seats and held onto the mayor’s seat. McKenna, whose hometown of Red Bank, has blossomed under his tenure, has issued a six-point platform. "I am committed to strengthening our party; raising the money necessary to run competitive races; identifying, grooming and encouraging potential Democratic candidates; creating a year-round political presence; energizing committeemen and committeewomen; and most of all winning elections." Scudiery has many supporters including West Long Branch Democratic Mayor Paul Zambrano. "Over the last several years Vic has provided exceptional support in time, money and enthusiastic leadership in Democratic campaigns at every level in the interests of Monmouth County. "Thanks to Vic’s support, we now have three Democrats in office, one away from a majority. It has been many years since West Long Branch has had three Democrats in office together," Zambrano said. "Also, for the first time in many years a Democratic Congressman represents a majority of Monmouth County, with congressmen Frank Pallone (D-6) and Rush Holt (D-12)," he added. The election of a new chair will be by secret ballot voted on by organization members one week following the primary election in early June.
Red Bank’s Mayor Edward J. McKenna Jr. will make a bid this year for the chair of the Democratic county organization. Here he is flanked by Red Bank Councilmen Tom Hintelmann and R.J. Bifani during the trio’s last re-election in 1998. Until this year, Red Bank’s mayor and council had been an all-Democratic powerhouse.
Victor Scudiery
