Brick Democrat Enters 10th District Assembly Race

BRICK, NJ — Another Democrat has joined the race for the New Jersey Assembly seats in the 10th District.

Eileen Della Volle announced her candidacy for the New Jersey General Assembly in the 10th Legislative District. She describes herself as a fiscally conservative Democrat from Brick Township and says she has a large network of business, government and community leaders throughout New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania through her role as vice president of business development at KS Engineers and her community advocacy efforts.

Both 10th District Assembly seats, currently occupied by Republicans David Wolfe and Gregory McGuckin, are up for election in November. Wolfe announced in January that he is not seeking re-election to the seat he has held since 1992. Read more: 10th District Assemblyman Wolfe Leaving Office At Term's End

Since then, four Republicans — John Catalano, Ruthanne Scaturro, D'Arcy Rohan Green and Stephen Reid have announced their desire to run for Wolfe's seat.

Della Volle joins fellow Democrat Vincent Barrella in the race for the two seats, which have been under Republican control since Wolfe was elected in 1991. Read more: Brick Pair Among Hopefuls For Wolfe's 10th District Assembly Seat

Della Volle, a graduate of the Brick Township schools and of Ocean County College and Kean University, serves on the Brick Township Planning Board and is the treasurer for the Brick Democratic Municipal Committee. She is a former member of the Brick Township Board of Adjustment.

"Hard-working Ocean County residents need a legislator to advocate for them," Della Volle said. "I will fight in Trenton to garner our fair share of state funding for economic development, infrastructure and schools. Lack of adequate funding directly impacts the quality of life of Ocean County residents every day."

Della Volle said she believes in public education and the many doors it opens.

"My education has provided me with tremendous opportunities. I was in elementary school when my father passed away and I watched my mother struggle to complete her GED," she said. "I knew at an early age that education was my ticket to better way of life; I want those same opportunities for Ocean County residents. However, the high cost of education, from the high tax burden of property taxes and the significant reduction in state aid to the rising cost of college, means residents are facing an increasing financial burden, which is often a barrier to accessing quality education."

She said in her interactions with other businesses and organizations through her career "I hear a constant refrain — Ocean County doesn’t receive the same level of state aid for economic development like North and South Jersey."

"Additionally, we are still enduring economic losses resulting from the devastation of Superstorm Sandy," she said. "I am poised to leverage my experience and networks to make a difference."

Della Volle said she prides herself giving back to her community and has been recognized for her volunteer activities and board service for Southern New Jersey Development Council, Women Build Council, Women Transportation Seminar, Society of Marketing Professionals, and Women’s Political Caucus of New Jersey. She was named to the "Top 50 Women in Business" and was among the honorees for the "40 under 40" awards by NJBiz Magazine.

"The exciting and challenging work now begins," Della Volle said. "I look forward to meeting with the selection committee for the Ocean County Democratic Committee to seek the organizational line for the primary. I am also anxious to kickoff a listening tour to meet with residents, community leaders and business owners. I hope to build momentum for a common sense platform to benefit Ocean County."

The 10th Legislative District encompasses Bay Head, Brick, Island Heights, Lakehurst, Lavallette, Manchester, Mantoloking, Point Pleasant Beach, Seaside Heights and Toms River in Ocean County.

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Photo provided by Eileen Della Volle