Vandervalk & Rooney Back O'Toole Team

 “I can’t think of a better team the Republicans could propose than O’Toole, Russo and Rumana,�

 VANDERVALK and ROONEY BACK

O’TOOLE, RUSSO AND RUMANA

FOR DISTRICT 40’s LEGISLATIVE TEAM

March 19, 2007 Bergen County -- The 39th District New Jersey General Assembly members today endorsed Kevin O’Toole for state Senate in District 40 (Bergen, Passaic, Essex counties) to succeed outgoing Sen. Henry P. McNamara. 

 Assemblywoman Charlotte Vandervalk and Assemblyman John Rooney also endorsed O’Toole’s running mates; incumbent Assemblyman David Russo and Wayne Township Mayor Scott Rumana. Assemblywoman Vandervalk said with at least 10 state senators retiring this year and choosing not to seek re-election in November, the senate “needs a person with the experience and knowledge of Kevin O’Toole,� who has served six years as the Assemblyman in District 40. 

“I’ve worked with Kevin in his leadership role in the Republican Assembly caucus and I know him to be a tremendously hard worker with an outstanding command of the issues.  He would be a valuable asset to the state senate and an outstanding advocate for the taxpayers of District 40,� said Vandervalk.  

Rooney said both O’Toole and Russo are well-respected, hard working legislators who represent the best the GOP can offer in District 40. “With Kevin O’Toole heading the ticket and Russo and Rumana as his running mates, the Democrats would stand no chance of competing in District 40 this year,� said Rooney. 

“Each of these candidates is highly ethical and hard working. They have a solid base of support and they have all been successful office holders. I can’t think of a better team the Republicans could propose than O’Toole, Russo and Rumana,� added Rooney. 

   GENEROUS TO THE GOP 

Vandervalk also noted that O’Toole and Russo have been invaluable friends and benefactors to Bergen County Republicans through the years. “When the Bergen Republican organization has faced financial difficulty, Kevin and David have been among the handful who were there to help us.

 Assemblyman O’Toole has been especially generous in his support of the organization and Republican candidates in Bergen County,� said Vandervalk.

  Rooney said Mayor Rumana makes a welcome addition to the ticket.  “Rumana has experience as a mayor and a freeholder in Passaic County. He knows the impact state government has on local government. I think his experience at the local level of government will be important to helping Republicans deliver real tax reform for taxpayers.� 

Russo, 53, has served in the Assembly since Assembly 1990. Rumana, 42, has served as mayor of  Wayne for more than five years, and four years as a Passaic County freeholder.  

District 40 is comprised of: Cedar Grove Township, Franklin Lakes Borough, Little Falls Township, Mahwah Township, Midland Park Borough, Oakland Borough, Ridgewood, Ringwood Borough, Verona Township, Wanaque Borough, Wayne Township, Wyckoff Township