Republicans John Cesaro, councilman from Parsippany-Troy Hills; John Krickus, former mayor of Washington Township; and David M. Scapicchio, former mayor of Mount Olive, today announced the formation of a joint campaign committee to challenge the three incumbent Republican Morris County Freeholders who are up for re-election this June.

The joint committee, which will campaign as the “The Morris Conservative Team,” today released the following statement:

“In 2010 and 2011, three incumbent Republican Morris County freeholders were defeated by primary challengers, clearly demonstrating that Republican voters are eager to challenge the party’s status quo and elect reform-minded, conservative Republicans — Republicans in name, and action. Over the past 6 years alone, Morris County’s overburdened taxpayers have been forced to pay for more than a $40 million increase in county government, even as many Morris County towns have been holding the line on spending during these challenging times. We can and must do better.

“Our ultimate goal is to reduce and reform county government so it’s smarter, smaller and more responsive. Each of us will bring relevant business, legal and local government experience to the freeholder board. We have track records of capping taxes and shared service projects that resulted in millions of savings, and are anxious to provide active leadership in shared services for all levels of government. We fully support Governor Christie's fiscal and political reforms and will set the example for part-time public servants by foregoing taxpayer-funded health insurance.

“The choice for Republicans is clear: re-elect indifferent incumbents who take their votes for granted, or choose dynamic leaders who are beholden to no one but the taxpayers.”

GOP Freeholders John Murphy, Bill Chegwidden and Gene Feyl are all up for re-election this year. Sources say Murphy - an unsuccessful 2005 candidate for governor - is not pursuing re-election.

The team of challengers provided individual bios, replicated below: 

John Cesaro
John has resided in Parsippany-Troy Hills for the past 20 years, serving on the Town Council since 2006 and as council president from 2008-2009. A practicing attorney, he earned his Juris Doctor from Quinnipiac University and holds an M.P.A. from New York University and a B.A. from Rutgers. John is married and has one son, and is a member of the Sons of Italy, Parsippany Republican Club and Republican Township Committee.

John Krickus
A native of Madison, John has lived in Long Valley for the past 26 years. He served for 12 years as a committeeman in Washington Township, three years as mayor. He earned his B.A. from Drew, M.B.A. from Lehigh. A certified public accountant, John has a background in business finance and operations and is currently a marketing manager. He is veteran of the Marine Corps Reserve and is married with two daughters.

David M. Scapicchio
David has served in elective office in Mount Olive since 1996, serving as mayor from 2006 to 2011. During that time he also was appointed to Morris County offices, to include both the county Municipal Utilities and Solid Waste Authorities. David attended the Devry Institute of Technology and now serves as a partner in Scapicchio & Sons, a residential construction company. He has been married for 35 years and has four daughters.