When I was elected Chairman of the Monmouth County Republican Committee in June of 2006, I inherited a civil war, a party morally-bankrupt and headed for near certain collapse. I haveoften described my first few days as walking into an old western movie, straight into the middle of a bar-room brawl.

I made two promises. The first was that I would fight with every fiber of my being to keep Monmouth County Republican. There was no burden I wouldn't personally bear. There was no obstacle I would not climb over, or bull through. Everyone who had an earnest desire to work for a Republican victory was a friend.Everyone who harbored a personal agenda not helpful to the teameffort - was not.

We have weathered a terrific storm in our time as Monmouth County Republicans. In the aftermath of Operation Bid Rig, we were forced to retain control of the Freeholder board, recapture every legislative seat, maintain all of our constitutional officers, and keep every party faction from tearing apart the whole. If that wasn't enough, longtime leaders such as Steve Corodemus and Ted Narozanick were not running. Marie Muhler was retiring as our Surrogate. Jen Beck and Declan needed a running mate who would help them secure the victory in the 12th. And Joe Oxley had given his party only three weeks to replace a popular incumbent Sheriff.

To make matters that much worse, we were handicapped at fundraising. Scandals and secret fund accounts forced me to raise campaign dollars with a level of transparency unmatched to this day by any other County political organization. And yet the Democrats continued to wheel $37,000 union checks in while I was grilled daily by the press over $300 contributions. We still managed to raise more each year.

In reviewing the above listed tasks, I hope I make every Bush-hater squirm - mission accomplished.

There was a second promise however. I promised my family that I would not let our personal finances fall below an agreed upon level. I have tried everything in my power to maintain a job that can coexist with the chairmanship. I have held out every hope that this could happen. I waited until this day trying to make the numbers work.

A promise is a promise. Therefore, I am today announcing that I am not able to seek a second term as your county chairman. I want to thank Dana my wife, who stood beside me every day of this two-year journey, and Chuck Casagrande of the Danskin Agency, who has given me a wonderful opportunity here at my new home.

And I want to express my extreme gratitude to the countless Republicans who have been my shield and my sword, my shelter and my rock. There are too many to mention in all, but I want to mention some, who have my friendship forever. Michael Borg, Joe Kyrillos, Steve McEnery, Kathleen Donohue, Ron Gravino, Sean Kean, Andrew Lucas, Caroline Casagrande, Rob Clifton, Bill Barham, Claire French, Tom Gagliano, John Costigan, Dave Rible, Mary Pat Angelini, Kim Guadagno, Peter Carton, John Cantalupo, Steve Chance, Alan Hodgson, Rich Weiner, Jerry Deltufo, Dan Peters, Mike Skudera, Tom Apostle, Serena DiMaso, Noreen Kelly, John Bennett, Bill Dowd, Fred Neiman, Rick DeMichele, Rob Ortiz, Rich Zeoli, Phil Morin, Keith Davis, Bill Layton, Mark Duffy and John Raue. I did my best. You outdid me. Please forgive me for returning home on my shield.
 
And to the Monmouth County Republican Party, our best days are in front of us. We have weathered the storm. We will win this year. The county is safe. Never lose faith in the party we belong to. Don't allow cynics to sell out our values to an over-reaching press. Don't trade leadership for the whims of the mob. Thank you for letting me lead this party through some dark days.

I will always be proudest of three achievements in my life. I am blessed to be married to the greatest person in the world. I am thankful to be a father of four outstanding children. And I will forever cherish the time I had as the Monmouth County Republican Chairman. Thank you.
 
Adam Puharic
Commercial Insurance Lines
Danskin Agency
1937 Highway 35
Wall Township, New Jersey 07719
PO Box 285, Spring Lake, New Jersey 07762
P: (732) 449-3800
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