Politics & Government

Gov. Christie: It's My Job to Build Grassroots GOP

Councilwoman Kimmins leads Westfield delegation to attend county Republican fundraiser in Summit featuring governor.

At a fund raising dinner for the Union County Republican party in Summit Tuesday evening, Gov. Chris Christie promised to help build a grassroots GOP by supporting local candidates so they can someday lead the party.

"You didn't vote for me just to be governor," Christie said. "You voted me for in the primary to be the leader of our party. And so my job is to not only lead the State of New Jersey – Republicans, Democrats Independents – but it is also to be the steward over what our party is and what it will become."

Senator Tom Kean Jr. (R-Westfield) donated $15,000 to the county GOP, while Assemblymembers Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield) and Nancy Munoz (R-Summit) donated $10,000 a piece. Councilwoman Vicki Kimmins led the Westfield delegaton to the fundraiser.

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Much of the funds raised Tuesday night at the Grand Summit Hotel will go to supporting the county GOP ticket this November: Summit Councilwoman Ellen Dickson, Brian Flanagan and Elyse Medved for county freeholder, Art Zapolski for county clerk and Peter Lijoi for county sheriff.

"We're hoping that what happens tonight, that we can build in Union County and  we can get Ellen and Brian and Elyse elected," Munoz said.

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Christie said he has been traveling to many county GOP organizations, he is confident that by the end of 2011, the Republicans can take control of Union County.

"I'm not going to leave as governor after four or eight years without this party being stronger at every level," he said. "And I think one of the things we didn't do as well in the '90s when we had the governorship the last time, was to build a party from the grassroots up, to elect good local candidates."


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