Community Corner

Foerst Elected to State Party Post

Councilman to help lead state GOP.

Fourth Ward Councilman Jim Foerst has officially assumed a post as the Republican Party's new state committeeman for Union County.

While Foerst was nominated for the position unopposed at the county GOP's convention earlier this spring, he was not officially elected until last Tuesday's primary election. In the role, Foerst will be one of 42 individuals, one man and woman from each county, charged with overseeing the work of the state party.

"The state government is near disaster right now," Foerst said. "I thought getting involved with the state party would be a good thing in order to get good state candidates."

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The position is part of Foerst's rapid rise in county Republican circles. While the councilman represents a quarter of the town, he is considered a rising star in the county party. Four years ago he was elected county party secretary on a ticket with County Republican Chairman Phil Morin, and he has acted as a legal counsel for the party in several election law cases.

Foerst's election keeps the seat in Westfield as he succeeds Town Attorney Robert Cockren, who stepped down after holding the post for several years. Foerst's counterpart in representing the county GOP statewide is former Garwood Councilman Pat Quattrocchi, who is also a newcomer to the post. Quattrocchi succeeds former Assemblywoman Betty Cox, R-Summit, in the party post. Both will serve four-year terms.

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Foerst does not see a conflict between his new party duties and his work as a councilman. He did note that he sees an upside as he will be in contact with new people who could benefit his ward.

The state party committees meet several times a year and have several key powers. Foerst's first duty will be to confirm gubernatorial nominee Chris Christie's appointment of Assemblyman Jay Webber, R-Morris County, as the new state party chairman. Foerst said he was unaware of Webber's official appointment until asked by the press and declined to comment on the chairman-designate's appointment until he has researched the issue more. He did sing Christie's praises though.

Foerst's other key duties on the state level will be electing a new state chairman in January, in the event Christie loses the election, when Webber's term will end. In addition, should Christie leave the state ticket before the November election, the state committee will select his replacement. Most of Foerst's other duties will be at the county level.

"My number one goal is to get a new governor elected," he said. "The number two goal is to assist regional candidates in honing a better message. The Republican Party has a good message of fiscal responsibility and smaller government. The Republican image has somewhat changed and it is not what it was when I became a Republican in the Reagan years. Just because you're a Republican does not mean you're anti-environment and want to cut taxes to the bone. It needs to be a message of what we are."


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