Longtime K-9 Unit Commander Runs For Somerset County Sheriff

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — Longtime Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit Commander/ Chief Tim Pino is running for Somerset County Sheriff on the Republican ticket following Frank Provenzano's retirement.

Provenzano will not be seeking re-election next year after serving 50 years in law enforcement. His term ends on Dec. 31.

Pino announced his intention to run on New Year's Eve and already has a number of endorsements from: State Senator Michael Doherty (R), former Somerset County Freeholder Patrick Scaglione (R), former NJ Assemblyman Nelson Albano (D), and most recently by State Senator Declan O'Scanlon (R), and Hunterdon County Sheriff Fred Brown (R).

"I'm honored to now also have the endorsements of Senator O'Scanlon and Sheriff Brown, both are difference makers within their respective communities and both understand the importance of what I'm trying to accomplish here in Somerset County," Pino said.

Pino plans on having a police K-9 while working in the office, which would be a first in the history of the state for an elected Sheriff.

"It's great for office morale," Pino said.

Pino is also known for successfully lobbying the NJ Legislature for "Dano's Law" (to protect police K-9s and horses).

He has rolled out his statewide model Diversity Platform and promised recently by stating that once he's elected, he will be bringing Somerset County its first ever Muslim and African American Undersheriffs.

Pino noted that his campaign manager is Jewish, one of his advisers is Sikh and he is a Catholic who is also the Security Director of the Bridgewater Jewish Community Center.

More than $51,000 has already been raised in the final two weeks of January for Pino's campaign, according to Campaign Treasurer Joseph P. Lamont Jr.

North Plainfield Police Chief William Parenti is also running on the Republican ticket for sheriff. He has been endorsed by Provenzano. (See Related: Somerset County Sheriff To Retire, Endorses N. Plainfield Chief)

(Image provided: Somerset County Sheriff Candidate Tim Pino with his long time K-9 partner Dano)

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