CONSERVATIVE GROUP CONGRATULATES PASSAIC COUNTY REPUBLICANS ON VICTORIES -- CORRADO A RISING STAR

CLIFTON, NJ, November 4, 2009    --  GOP Strong co-chairman Michael Mecca congratulated the county Republican ticket for a great win yesterday,, saying the victory bodes well for the re-emergence of the Republican Party in Passaic County.

With Kristin Corrado – GOP Strong’s candidate in the June Primary --  leading the county ticket with more than 49,000 votes, she was able to sweep her freeholder running mates into office.

“Kristin Corrado is a rising star in the Passaic County Republican Party. She should be embraced by everyone in the organization,” said Mecca.

Corrado and the county ticket benefitted from a strong Republican effort in Clifton, North Haledon, West Milford, Hawthorne and Totowa. Hawthorne and West Milford Republicans crushed their Democratic opponents as did Wayne Mayor Chris Vergano and his team. In Totowa local Republicans, under the leadership of Municipal Chairman Peter Murphy gave Corrado and her team a 2,000 vote plurality.

“The leadership in all those towns should be congratulated – especially in Hawthorne and West Milford, where the county organization provided little assistance,” said Mecca. “In Hawthorne the Republicans – under the leadership of  Barbara Zakur -- crushed their opponents despite being in the heavily Democratic 35^th Legislative District.

Mecca also noted that West Milford’s team of Joseph Smolinski and Michael Ramaglia romped to victory, after having to fend off a Primary Election challenge from the county Republican leadership in June. “West Milford Republicans – including municipal leader  Carmen Scangarello showed real tenacity and resilience,” said Mecca.

In Clifton -- under the leadership of  new municipal GOP Chairman Mecca – who recruited 50 new county committee people  --  the party overcame a 1,000 vote plurality for Democrat John Corzine to give Corrado a 1,000 plurality.

“The Passaic County Republican victory was a team effort that involved a lot of people at the municipal level working very hard with virtually no resources from the county organization,” said Mecca.

Mecca said that Passaic County Republican Party Chairman  Scott Rumana should use the victory as the spark to unite the party rather than to continue divisions that have been brewing for the past few years.

“The GOP victories in Passaic County belong to everyone in the party – and to Chris Christie,” said Mecca.

“The municipal leaders, the rank and file party faithful and the candidates throughout the county  worked very hard with limited resources to score many impressive wins.  Mr. Rumana should take this opportunity to pull the party together and put in place the leadership sharing plan he promised us in June,” said Mecca.