Parsippany GOP Leadership Shakeup After Party Chair Resigns

PARSIPPANY, NJ — The Parsippany Republican Municipal Committee welcomed new leadership after Louis A. Valori stepped down from his role as chairperson.

Dee dePierro, who served as vice chair, took Valori's position. They both agreed to make Councilmember Justin Musella the next vice chair.

Valori said in his July 18 resignation letter that he would step down because he plans to move to Hainesport to spend quality time with his granchildren and family. He previously served on the Parsippany Board of Education and Township Council.

The leadership change comes less than a year after the GOP won Parsippany's mayorship and took unanimous control of the five-member Township Council. Valori ran for mayor last year but fell short in the Republican primary against James Barberio, who went on to win the General Election against then-Mayor Michael Soriano, a Democrat.

But Musella, who ran in the primary on Valori's ticket, advanced in the council election. Musella and Frank Neglia won the available council seats. They replaced former Councilmembers Janice McCarthy and Emily Peterson — both Democrats who opted against running for re-election last year.

"I ... had the honor to run for Mayor against my friend Jamie Barberio," Valori wrote in his resignation letter. "We were both able to run on issues and stuck to our word and avoided all personal attacks. This in itself was historical in the world of Parsippany politics. After the primary we all came back together and united behind our candidates Mayor Barberio, Councilman Frank Neglia, and Councilman Justin Musella."