3 Republicans In Essex County Announce Re-Election Campaigns – Patch.com

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A trio of Republican lawmakers who represent several towns in Essex County are running again in the state Senate and Assembly.

Last week, Sen. Joe Pennacchio and Assembly members Jay Webber and BettyLou DeCroce announced their re-election bids for the New Jersey Legislature.

Each currently represents the 26th District, which includes North Caldwell, West Caldwell and Verona in Essex County, in addition to several other towns in Morris and Passaic counties.

“The challenges that face New Jersey are great,” said Pennacchio, a retired dentist who lives in Montville Township.

Pennacchio said that Gov. Phil Murphy has “fumbled the response” to the coronavirus pandemic. The result, he said, is that seniors have been left “vulnerable,” the economy has been “strangled” and small businesses have been devastated.

“It is more important than ever to have legislators in Trenton to stand up to the failed Murphy Administration,” Pennacchio said.

“New Jerseyans deserve a freer, fairer, more prosperous home,” said Webber, who lives in Morris Plains and his own small business in Whippany, practicing law with Webber McGill.

“Phil Murphy and his Trenton friends won’t and can’t provide that — they are consumed by their high-tax, big-spend, and careless-debt agenda,” Webber charged. “The antidote to that agenda isn’t necessarily easy, but it is simple. Put taxpayers — not government — first, protect our most vulnerable, and champion those who are too often forgotten: our constituents who play by the rules and ask only a fair shake from their government.”

DeCroce said she’s “never been more energized” to continue working in Trenton. That work includes efforts to boost small businesses, grow the economy, improve infrastructure and halt “never-ending tax increases and out-of-control government spending,” she said.

“Now more than ever, we need legislators in Trenton that are looking out for New Jersey families,” said DeCroce, who has previously served as a councilwoman in Mine Hill, municipal clerk and deputy township manager in Roxbury, first chairwoman of the Morris County Joint Insurance Fund and deputy commissioner of the NJ Department of Community Affairs.

Pennacchio, Webber and DeCroce offered the following details about their backgrounds and qualifications in a joint news release.

SEN. JOE PENNACCHIO

Sen. Pennacchio was elected to represent the 26th District from the New Jersey State Senate on January 8, 2008 and was re-elected in 2011, 2013 and 2017.

Prior to serving in the state Senate, Joe Pennacchio was elected to the New Jersey State Assembly from 2000 to 2008. He has currently been assigned to the Senate Economic Growth Committee, as well as the Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee. Sen. Pennacchio is a former member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee and the Senate Transportation Committee. Pennacchio has been named to the Senate Republican Leadership Team as the Senate Republican Whip.

ASSEMBLYMAN JAY WEBBER

Assemblyman Webber represents the residents of the 26th District in the New Jersey General Assembly.

Assemblyman Webber authored the landmark Safer Schools law to protect our children and stop the problem of child predators getting jobs in schools. He also authored a crucial law that supports shelters for women in crisis and the communities that house them. For his legislative service, Assemblyman Webber has earned the Fairfield Police Faith & Honor Award, Outstanding Legislator of the Year Award from the Society for Environmental Economic Development, Guardian of Small Business Award, and Taxpayer Hero Award.

ASSEMBLYWOMAN BETTYLOU DECROCE

In addition to her public sector experience, Assemblywoman DeCroce brings a small business perspective to the Legislature as president and owner of Gallo & DeCroce Realtors, a real estate firm in Morris County for over46 years. She is also president of ABL Holding Company LLC, a home construction company.

She has received several legislative awards, including the NJ Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Legislator of the Year, Defender of the Taxpayer, Guardian of the Family, MC Chamber of Commerce Public Leadership Award, Conservative Achievement Award, Boy Scouts of America Good Scout Award, Displaced Homemakers Network Outstanding Service Award, African American Chamber of Commerce Women Who Empower Award, and Guardian of Small Business Award.

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