‘Young Gun’ Republican In NJ-11 Wants Rep. Frelinghuysen’s Seat

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — He’s one of the rising, “young gun” Republicans in New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District. And in November, Antony Ghee will make his play for the seat of one of the most powerful GOP members in the state: soon-to-retire U.S. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen.

On Thursday, the National Republican Congressional Committee’s “Young Guns” program named Ghee – who is running for the U.S. House of Representatives in New Jersey’s 11th District – as one of its “On the Radar” candidates.

The 11th District includes towns in Essex, Morris, Passaic and Sussex counties.

According to its website, Young Guns is a recruitment program that “identifies candidates across the country who embody the principles of the House Republican Conference and show promise of running a successful campaign.”

“With just over a month to go before the June primary, our campaign continues to build momentum,” Ghee said Thursday.

“As a political outsider, I’ve been heartened to earn the support of our local Republican committees in Essex and Passaic counties, as well as local officials and party leaders in Sussex and Morris counties. Today’s announcement by Chairman Stivers and the NRCC, validating our grassroots campaign, is another sign that our campaign is best positioned to win in November.”

Ghee trumpeted his experience as a military veteran, lawyer and financial services executive.

“Over the next few weeks, I look forward to making my case directly to Republican primary voters in advance of November’s General Election,” Ghee said.

Here’s how Ghee, a North Jersey husband and father of two, describes himself on his campaign website:

“I was born at Trenton Hospital and raised by my mother with the loving support of my grandmother. Growing up with modest means, my mother instilled the importance of education and the idea that anyone in America – regardless of their race, color, creed or gender – can achieve their dreams so long as they work hard, serve their community, and never give up despite what may sometimes appear to be insurmountable odds.

“I have lived those values as an adult.

“I was the first person in my family to attend college and earned my undergraduate degree in Business Administration, with honors, from Virginia Union and my Juris Doctorate from Howard University School of Law. In addition, I received a Masters of Law from Georgetown University School of Law, specializing in Securities & Financial Regulation, and my FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) Series 7, 24, 63, 65, 79, 86 and 87 licenses. Currently, I am employed as a Director at Bank of America Merrill Lynch in the Global Wealth & Investment Management Chief Investment Office in New York City.

“Being blessed by this country with an opportunity to pursue my dreams, it was especially important to me that I give back. So, I joined the United State Army Reserves and hold the rank of Major and currently serve as Headquarters Commander of the U.S. Army Reserve Legal Command in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Prior to that, I served as the Brigade Judge Advocate at the 77th Sustainment Brigade at Fort Dix, NJ and as a member of the General Officer Support Team at the Pentagon.

“Growing up, my father was essentially absent from my life. But through his absence, I learned the value of being a strong and present father to my two children. My wife Michele and I are blessed to be raising Taylor and Jordan in North Jersey, where they attend great schools, in a safe community, and have the world at their fingertips. Michele and I have been active community volunteers in several organizations whose missions include helping single Mom’s break the cycle of poverty, combating homelessness, raising money for breast cancer awareness, and hosting a ‘boot camp’ to introduce young children to concepts of investing and fiscal responsibility.”

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Photo: YouTube / patctoo

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