Schluter endorses Holt in 23rd District Assembly race

A GOP candidate for the Assembly in the 23rd District, Hunterdon County Freeholder Matthew Holt this week announced endorsements from former state Sen. Bill Schluter, former Hunterdon County Clerk Dottie Tirpok, and former Warren County Clerk Terry Lee. 

"I know the Trenton scene and what it takes to be an effective Legislator,” Schluter, who served as senator of the district for 13 years, wrote in a letter to Hunterdon/Warren County Republican Committee members.

“Matt will not let partisan gridlock prevent him from seeking responsible bipartisan solutions for the public good.  He is not flamboyant -- he works quietly and efficiently with constituents including farmers, environmentalists, and citizen advocacy groups. He will perform his Legislative duties in a fair and responsible manner while protecting the interest of the 23rd district, earning both your respect, as well as the respect of his fellow Legislators."

While Schluter lives in the Mercer County portion of a 23rd District reconfigured by the end of his run in 2001 to include towns solely in Hunterdon and Warren counties, he remains a well known Republican figure here.

Eyeing a vacancy which will be created when either Assemblywoman Marcia Karrow (R-Raritan Twp.) or Assemblyman Michael Doherty (R-Washington Twp.) moves up to claim U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance’s (R-Clinton) vacated state senate seat, Holt is competing for his party’s nomination with fellow Hunterdon Freeholder  Erik Peterson and Warren County Freeholder John DiMaio.

“The endorsement of Dottie Tirpok, a 25-year veteran of Hunterdon County, and Terry Lee, who served Warren County for years, is a strong indication that they acknowledge my ability to represent the district, based on my experience as a former municipal official,” said Holt, a former councilman and mayor. 

"I also value the support of Sen. Schluter, as his representation of the 23rd District was exemplary, and he is very aware of the type of honest, hard working, knowledgeable, and ethical representation that I will provide to the District," Holt added.