State Senator Vin Gopal is being congratulated and commended for introducing a bill he has indicated for some time that, if approved, won’t let elected officials also be their political party’s chairman. The bill, if approved, would force Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden to either resign his position as the elected Monmouth County Sheriff or step down as the Monmouth County Republic Party Chairman.
Republicans see this as a politically motivated issue … and well it may be. But it does not seem right that people who depend on party support for backing to get to their position should then be the chair of the very party that got them into office, or in the position to have political influence over the people who pay his salary.
Sheriff Golden, County Clerk Christine Hanlon, and County Surrogate Maureen Raisch are all in elected positions Gopal’s bill would prohibit from holding county political positions as well. Each is elected to the office with the backing, support and funding from the Republican party to win their election. So, for them, like Golden, be the chair of the party that got her into office certainly seems like a recipe for intrigue and influence, or at least the appearance of influence that party officials have on elections.
Introduction of the bill was approved by the judiciary committees of both the Assembly and the Senate after Gopal introduced it as the prime sponsor. It now awaits the vote of both chambers.
If the bill passes, and if Governor Phil Murphy signs it this month, Golden would have to step down as GOP chairman before the November election.
Gopal said he introduced the bill because of the undue influence he feels party leaders could exert on elections, or by intimating public servants to gain advantage in future elections. “We don’t allow judges to be political bosses. We don’t allow prosecutors to be political bosses. We’ve got thousands of Hatch Act jobs, federal jobs, where you can’t even be involved in politics, so this is simple,” the Senator said.
Opponents to the bill say Gopal introduced the bill specifically to target Sheriff Gulden. The Sheriff is the only constitutional officer in the state who both holds the office and chairs the county political party. Gopal is expected to run for reelection in November in the 11th district, which covers many municipalities in Monmouth County.
Both Republicans, the Sheriffs Association of New Jersey and Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey oppose Gopal’s bill, saying it is unreasonable and unconstitutional.
Senator Gopal is a Democrat and widely believed to be a leading candidate in his district and a potential candidate for higher office in the future.
