U.S. Army Vet Announces Bid To Challenge Sen. O’Scanlon In 2021

NEW JERSEY - U.S. Army Veteran Vincent Solomeno announced his Democratic bid this month to challenge Republican Senator Declan O’Scanlon, Jr. in New Jersey’s Thirteenth Legislative District.

Solomeno, 35, certainly has his work cut out for him as he aims to unseat O’Scanlon in the historically Republican district. Although a Democrat hasn’t held the seat since 1991, Solomeno remains confident that the election is winnable:

“This is not about a political party,” the lifelong Monmouth County resident said in a statement. “This race is about who represents us in Trenton and whether our Senator works for his constituents.”

Solomeno says he pledges to fight for Monmouth County small businesses and working families. If elected, Solomeno - who still serves in the Army National Guard - intends to eliminate annual property tax assessments, improve access to education, and advocate for state investments in infrastructure.

“It’s time we replace the politics of the past with an approach to public service that results in a better future for our communities,” Solomeno said. “My campaign comes with a plan to deliver good paying jobs, outstanding public schools, and holding the line on taxes to make New Jersey a more affordable state for everyone who lives in it.”

The Democratic hopeful has criticized O’Scanlon’s authorship of Monmouth County’s Real Property Assessment Demonstration Program (ADP) in the past, arguing that “my opponent worked with the special interests to burden taxpayers with annual assessments on property values. My neighbors and I have seen our property taxes skyrocket. The middle class is getting hosed. It’s a bad deal. He literally wrote the law and I want to end it.”

“On fiscal issues, Senator O’Scanlon talks a good game but in truth he’s responsible for higher taxes for thousands of homeowners and small businesses,” Solomeno added.

Solomeno attended the Marine Academy of Science and Technology (M.A.S.T.) and earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Scranton. As a Fulbright Scholar, he received his master’s degree from the University of Amsterdam.

He also previously deployed overseas as an Engineer officer assigned to the U.S. Army Central Command. In 2012, he served in Monmouth County during and after Superstorm Sandy. In 2020, Solomeno was an operations officer for the New Jersey National Guard’s statewide COVID-19 pandemic response. He is the recipient of the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal.

New Jersey’s Thirteenth Legislative District includes Aberdeen, Atlantic Highlands, Fair Haven, Hazlet, Highlands, Holmdel, Keansburg, Keyport, Little Silver, Marlboro, Middletown, Monmouth Beach, Oceanport, Sea Bright, Rumson and Union Beach.