Scaglione enters race for Somerset Freeholder

BRIDGEWATER – Bridgewater Council President Pat Scaglione earlier today talked to Dale Florio and notified the Somerset County Republican chair of his intentions to pursue a seat on the Freeholder Board.

“I’m a 12-year council veteran and I’m in the race,” Scaglione told PolitickerNJ.com tonight, at a candidates’ forum sponsored by the Bridgewater Republican Committee,  where Scaglione and his fellow competitors made their respective cases.

Montgomery Township Committeeman Mark Caliguire, Bernards Committeeman John Carpenter and former prosecutor Thomas Roughneen are also vying for the seat being vacated by retiring Freeholder Director Rick Fontana.

“The Democrats have made such a mess of the state budget, that our budgets are really hurting,” said Caliguire, who pledged if elected to examine greater shared and regional services.

Calling himself a “pragmatic environmentalist,” Carpenter reminded the crowd that he is party to a lawsuit against the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH).

Then there was Roughneen, an Iraq War veteran who ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Congress last year in the 7th District.

“The good news is Somerset County is working,” he said. “The bad news is New Jersey’s in shambles. Our governor is on his hands and knees with a tin cup, begging for resources from other states.”

Scaglione’s entry into the freeholder race introduces the first candidate from Bridgewater, Somerset’s sprawling centerpiece and the county’s largest concentration of Republican votes. When Bridgewater Mayor Patricia Flannery decided not to run for the freeholder seat, Scaglione contemplated making the move and ultimately opted in.

“I’m the kind of candidate who can go to those towns south of Route 22 and go door to door, and have appeal,” Scaglione said.

Sources said Warren Township Deputy Mayor Victor Sordillo plans to talk to Florio as early as Thursday about potentially entering the race.

The county committee will decide who to support at an April 2nd meeting.