Somerset GOP Executive Director Locked Out of Her Office

Recent emails from the incoming Somerset County GOP Chairman Tim Howes give the impression that I have VOLUNTARILY stepped down from the position of Somerset County GOP Executive Director, the position I have held for the past 28 years.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Within 15 hours of Mr. Howes selection as the new County Chair on Thursday, July 23, 2020 at 7:00 P.M., I was locked out of my office without prior notification of a termination. I attempted on several occasions to meet with Tim but was never given the opportunity to discuss my employment. After discovering I was locked out, I was sent a text message with a letter notifying me I was terminated without any explanation. This was AFTER I was locked out. He did send a Fed Ex copy the next day.

On Friday, July 24th I was notified of a hostile experience going on in my office. My witness, who stopped in to pickup some items I had for her thinking I was in the office. To her dismay, she saw several individuals “hovering” around my desk. The names of the individuals are as follows:

Basking Ridge Councilwoman Janice Fields, Branchburg Councilwoman Anna Columbus and Brittany Wheeler. In the next room seated was: Nancy Ferreira, Ravi Kolla and Maggie Cucci. Three of the previously mentioned individuals (Nancy Ferreira, Brittany Wheeler and Ravi Kolla) are part of the new incoming Executive Board members who certainly do not represent the caliber of folks who have been previous Executive Board members.

Serving as Somerset County GOP Executive Director has been the focus of my professional life (and much of my personal life) for almost three decades. I am extremely proud of the fundraising records I have set during my tenure, but I am even more proud of the recognition I gained for my hard work, acknowledgement of an office run professionally and for the friendships and strong relationships I have built upon courtesy and mutual respect that I have given to all I have mentored and encountered during my tenure.

I only hope Tim shows more respect to the elected Republican office holders, Republican candidates, and Republican committee members and to the public, than he has shown to me.