Democrats Running For NJ 13 Endorsed By FOP, Firefighters

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — This week, the three Democrats who are running for the 13th District legislative seats in Monmouth County secured the nomination of the New Jersey State Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association (FMBA).

The organization represents 5,000 career firefighters, EMTs and 911 dispatchers statewide.

The Democrats are Vincent Solomeno of Hazlet, Erin Howard of Fair Haven and Allison Friedman of Aberdeen. All three hope to unseat Republicans who currently hold the seats, and regain Democratic control of the seats that have long been under Republican control.

A few days later, the Democratic team also secured a key endorsement from the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the state’s second largest police union.

FOP President Robert W. Fox said his group selected a bipartisan slate of candidates after careful review and sending all the candidates a questionnaire.

"Prior to my Board meeting, thirteen members of my Legislative Committee worked tirelessly reviewing all the candidates and their responses to our questionnaires," said Fox. "The full Board of Directors met Tuesday, September 14 and voted unanimously to endorse the candidates for the New Jersey State Senate and State Assembly.”

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.

Election Day is Nov. 2.

Democrat Solomeno is running for NJ 13 state Senate seat currently held by Republican state Sen. Declan O'Scanlon.

Howard and Friedman hope to beat out Republicans Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger and Holmdel BOE president Vicky Flynn. Flynn is also a lawyer in private practice. Scharfenberger has long been a Monmouth County Republican politician; his daughter is married to current Middletown Mayor Tony Perry and Scharfenberger also teaches archaeology at Monmouth University.

Scharfenberger hopes to be re-elected to his seat this fall, and Flynn is running for the Assembly seat currently held by Serena DiMaso. DiMaso was rejected by the Monmouth County Republican Party in a very public fight earlier this spring, and Flynn beat her at the ballot box in the June GOP primary.

Read: Monmouth County GOP Pulls Support For DiMaso In NJ-13 Race (March 19)

DiMaso Concedes As She Loses NJ 13 Primary To Party Candidates (June 8)

Solomeno, 36, is a U.S. Army veteran and still serves in the Army National Guard. He grew up in this area, gradated from the Marine Academy of Science and Technology (M.A.S.T.) and currently lives in Hazlet.

“I’m honored that New Jersey’s firefighters, EMTs, and dispatchers are standing with me in my campaign to bring common sense solutions to Trenton,” said Solomeno. “I come from a family of firefighters and I know firsthand that these brave heroes swear an oath to protect and serve. When I’m State Senator, I will always have the back of our first responders.”

While 1991 was the last time a Democrat represented this part of Monmouth County in Trenton, Solomeno is confident that 2021 will be the year.

"This is not about a political party," he said. "This race is about who represents us in Trenton and whether our Senator works for his constituents."

Fair Haven resident Howard, 42, is a small-business owner, a mom of three and active volunteer in the town of Fair Haven.

“In Trenton, my first priority will be ensuring the safety of our communities,” she said. “I am humbled by the support of FMBA and thank them for their support.”

Friedman, 47, is a public defender from Aberdeen. She sits on the Matawan-Aberdeen Board of Education and is also a union member.

“I have spent my entire life in public service," she said. "To receive the endorsement of career firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and dispatchers is an honor. These are neighbors who help neighbors. When Erin and I are in the Assembly, we will work hard to prove worthy of their confidence.”

“Both career and volunteer first responders deserve our respect,” said Solomeno, who continues his service as a captain in the New Jersey Army National Guard. “As State Senator, I will work with Democratic and Republican colleagues to ensure our local emergency services are well trained, well equipped, and ready to meet any challenge to keep our communities safe.”

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