Monmouth County Democrats are backing Bob Menendez for re-election to the U.S. Senate.
“Whether it is fighting for progressive values or standing up to Donald Trump’s disastrous and economic and environmental policies, Senator Bob Menendez has had our side,” said David Brown, the Monmouth County Democratic Chairman.
Monmouth has been a solidly Republican county for decades, and went for Kim Guadagno in the 2017 governors race. But Democrat Vin Gopal (D-Long Branch), who preceded Brown as county chairman, upset three-term State Sen. Jennifer Beck (R-Red Bank) last year; in that race, two Democratic members of the State Assembly that Gopal helped elect in 2015 were re-elected.
Heading into 2018, there is some speculation that Democrats might compete for two seats on the five-member Board of Freeholders. One GOP incumbent, John Curley, has been censured by the board following sexual harassment charges. Republican County Chairman Shaun Golden has said Curley won’t have party support if he seeks re-election. Curley could run off the line in the primary, or as an independent.
Since Friday’s announcement that the Justice Department will re-try Menendez, most of the state’s Democratic elite has reiterated support for the Senator, including Gov. Phil Murphy. U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, and key Democratic county chairs. Brown’s continued support of Menendez sends a clear signal that Democrats are not shying away from backing the incumbent.
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