Somerset County Sheriff To Retire, Endorses N. Plainfield Chief

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — After 50 years of serving in law enforcement, Somerset County Sheriff Frank Provenzano has announced he will not be seeking re-election next year and instead will be retiring.

"It’s time for me and my wife to sit back and relax," Provenzano told Patch. "It's been a great ride. Being sheriff has been the highlight of my career aside from the birth of my children and marrying my wife. I can’t say enough about the men and women of the sheriff’s office and county jail."

A lifelong resident of Somerset County and current resident of Raritan, Provenzano has been the Somerset County Sheriff since January 2002. His term ends on Dec. 31.

On Tuesday, North Plainfield Police Chief William Parenti announced his intention to seek the nomination of the Somerset County Republican Organization for Sheriff at their upcoming annual screening meeting.

"I'm officially announcing that I'm in the race," said Parenti. "Running for sheriff is a great honor and great responsibility and I believe that my many years in law enforcement coupled with my 14 years as Chief an accredited agency in North Plainfield have afforded me the experience and commitment to community to be a successful sheriff."

Provenzano also said he will be endorsing Parenti as the next sheriff of Somerset County due to his background in law enforcement.

He noted that Parenti is in charge of the North Plainfield Police Department and comes from a police background.

"His father Tony was the Fanwood Police Chief and his brother is the Assistant Prosecutor in Somerset County," Provenzano said. "He has all the tools to take over and run the sheriff's office."

Parenti said he was "honored to have Provenzano's endorsement which was a major factor in my decision to run."

A former president of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Parenti is currently serving his 13th consecutive year as president of the Somerset County Association of Chiefs of Police.

Married to his wife Eileen for more than 31 years, the Parenti's have two adult children, Danielle, a registered pharmacist and Bill Jr., a police officer.

Former Somerset County Sheriff's Office K9 Commander Tim Pino is also running on the Republican ticket for sheriff. He has been endorsed by Senator Michael Doherty and former Somerset County Freeholder Patrick Scaglione.

"I have a lot of fond memories of Sheriff Provenzano and was honored to run his K9 unit for over a decade," Pino stated to Patch. He promoted me four times, and I am very appreciate of the faith he had in me over the years."

(Image via North Plainfield Police Chief William Parenti with permission)

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