Christie Stands By Kelly For Parole Board, Freeholder Declines Comment

Although many have protested Gov. Christie's controversial nomination of Freeholder John P. Kelly to the state Parole Board, Christie is standing by his man.

“I nominated him, so sure I support him," Christie said in response to a question during a news conference on Wednesday, according to app.com.

The governor said he is aware of the criticism of his decision to nominate Kelly to the $100,000 position.

“I’m aware," Christie said. "I support him. I nominated him. I support him," Christie said.

Kelly said after a freeholder board meeting late Wednesday afternoon it would be "inappropriate" for him to discuss the matter in the media.

"This is the reason why: Because I have to go before the (Senate) Judiciary Committee and I don't want to be trying to answer press releases in the press," Kelly said. "I would rather answer any questions that the committee has. That's my only comment on it."

Democrats State Senate Majority President Loretta Weinberg and State Senator Raymond Lesniak - both members of the Parole Board - have both said they would vote against Kelly's nomination.

Weinberg on Monday pointed to Kelly's refusal to grant a dying Laurel Hester - an Ocean County Prosecutor's Office detective who was gay - the right to leave her pension benefits to her longtime partner. The freeholder board reversed an earlier decision to deny Hester's request, after a three-month battle. The fight was later made into the movie "Freeheld."

But Kelly fought the move and didn't show up for the final vote.

Garden State Equality protested Kelly's nomination earlier this week.

"LGBT people, especially those who are people of color, face higher rates of incarceration and often injustice in our prison system," said Christian Fuscarino, executive director of Garden State Equality. "We must ensure unfair criminalization has no place in New Jersey and that means no Jack Kelly. The State Parole Board should require individuals with experience, intelligence, and tolerance, not homophobia and racism."

Lesniak - (D, Union) has said Kelly lacks the qualifications and education to serve on the Parole Board. Kelly has no college degree and no professional experience in law enforcement.

Despite the objections, Ocean County Republican Chairman George R. Gilmore has said he has a commitment from Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney, D-Gloucester,that Kelly will be appointed to the Parole Board.

Sweeney's office did not respond to a request for comment on Wednesday.

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