Ortiz throws his hat in the ring
By Editor
Robert Ortiz
Robert Ortiz has officially entered the race for Bergen County GOP Chairman.
Ortiz, a lawyer from Ridgewood, has built up a reputation as a successful Republican fundraiser. And at the age of 35, Republicans are hoping that a young leader with fresh ideas can revive Bergen County party.
“I think at this point we are at the bottom of the barrel, and what I’m trying to do is show that we’re going to have a different face for the party now and we’re going to start fresh – new ideas, new ways of doing things,” said Ortiz. “I want to put a good team together of leaders all across the county.”He will compete for the post with at least one other candidate: Bergen County Utilities Authority Chairman Ben Focarino, who Ortiz said has filed to run. Former New Jersey Christian Coalition President Bill Thomson has announced his intent to run, but has not yet officially filed. Other names have been bandied about as well, like Assemblyman David Russo and former state Banking Commissioner Lisa Randall, but none have committed to seeking the chairmanship.
Ortiz said that he was convinced to run by supporters, who even recently set up a website: www.draftrob.com. The site appears to be run by Republican blogger and former congressional candidate George Ajjan.
Ortiz already has some ideas on how to get the party out of its morass. For one, he wants to bring Joe Caruso back as Finance Chairman. He also wants the party to reach out to minority constituents, a far cry from the recent controversial flyer that the BCRO put out during Todd Caliguire’s primary challenge against Kevin O’Toole.
“I think we need to have an outreach program. We have a huge Hispanic and Korean population,” said Ortiz. “A lot of minority populations are not being tapped into, and we have to be seen as a big tent party.”
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