NJGOP Chairman: “Scharfenberger firing demonstrates Governor Murphy has completed his evolution into a hollow politician”

NJGOP Chairman: “Scharfenberger firing demonstrates Governor Murphy has completed his evolution into a hollow politician”

Chairman Steinhardt and Monmouth GOP Committeewoman Angelini react to Governor Murphy’s questionable firing of Republican state employee

Trenton, NJ – According to multiple reports, Monmouth County Republican Freeholder Gerry Scharfenberger was fired from his state positions as Executive Director of NJ’s Business Action Center and Director of the State Office for Planning Advocacy for not attending a Governor Murphy press conference, in Scharfenberger’s capacity as a Republican Freeholder. In response to this, NJGOP Chairman Doug Steinhardt and Monmouth GOP Committeewoman and former Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini offered the following statement:

“Freeholder Scharfenberger’s firing proves that Governor Murphy has completed his evolution into a hollow politician,” said Chairman Steinhardt. “Out of one side of his mouth, Murphy makes empty promise on empty promise, pledging to bring this state together, while out of the other side he fires a well-qualified public employee, husband and father of two adult children, for partisan politics and because he would not fall in line with a fake solution to New Jersey’s property tax crisis.”

Mounmouth County GOP Committeewoman Mary Pat Angelini added, “Gerry Scharfenberger was appointed by Governor Christie because he is an accomplished and well-educated planner and our state is no doubt better off thanks to his willingness to serve in state government. His removal is collateral damage created by an increasingly partisan political environment that I hope will improve so that we can all focus on the things that are truly important. My priorities include improving New Jersey’s economic environment and ensuring that our underprivileged populations are served well, regardless of what party is in power. I call on Governor Murphy to join me in focusing on those same issues instead of picking petty fights with state employees.”

In his inaugural address Governor Murphy stated multiple times that he aims to bring the state together and serve all nine million residents, no matter what their political affiliation. He said, “I urge you to join us on the road forward. Whether you are a Democrat or a Republican or an independent”.

“Phil Murphy has shown a pattern of disregard for Republicans, Independents and anyone who doesn’t conform to his extreme left agenda.  Consequently, it should come as no surprise that similar discrimination has trickled into the workplace,” said Chairman Steinhardt. “Blind partisan loyalty should not come at the expense of the first amendment.”

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