Please be advised that the New Jersey Republican State Committee re-organized on June 17, 2009 at 6:30 pm at the Eagleton Institute. Chris Christie recommended Assemblyman Jay Webber to serve as Chairman. Our Committee unanimously endorsed his selection. Assemblyman Webber is from Morris County. A copy of his bio is attached below. Assemblyman Webber issued this statement regarding his election:

"New Jersey knows that leadership does matter. It makes a real difference who controls the State House and we owe it to the 8.5 million people who call New Jersey home to provide common-sense solutions to lower taxes, cut spending and bring jobs back to New Jersey. I am honored and excited to stand with Chris Christie and join him in the fight to bring our state back and ensure success up and down the ticket this November.”

At the re-organization meeting, the Committee also selected the Executive Board: Linda Pagliughli was elected Vice-chairwoman; Marie Vicchiarello was elected Secretary and Monmouth County's John Bennett was re-elected Treasurer for our organization. We also had an opportunity to meet the new executive director of the State Committee, Dan Centinello. Dan has a wealth of experience at the Federal, State and National level. We look forward to working with him.

The highlight of our meeting was a passionate address from Chris Christie. He clearly outlined the need for new leadership in Trenton. Emphasizing the fact that the state budget continues to grow and the Democrat majority in the legislature and Governor Corzine have enacted over 110 new tax increases. Chris also spoke of the need to recruit young Republicans. He indicated that we need energize and recruit young voters, build our ranks and breathe new energy into the Republican party.

The meeting was well attended, very exciting and set a straight forward agenda for our future. Clearly, there is a great deal of energy and enthusiasm in the State Republican party. I am honored to represent Monmouth County as Republican State Committeewomen. In accordance with your request a copy of this report has been forwarded to the Monmouth County municipal chairs. A link will also be established on the Monmouth County Republican website.



Assemblyman Jay Webber Biography

Assemblyman Jay Webber started his service in the New Jersey Legislature for the residents of the 26th Legislative District in January 2008. He serves on the State Government and Labor Committees.

Jay was raised in Clifton in Passaic County and attended St. Joseph Regional High School in Montvale and later The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.

After college, Jay served as a Budget Staffer and District Director for former Congressman William Martini from 1995 to 1997. After leaving Congressman Martini’s office, Jay was a staff member at the Manhattan Institute, a free-market think tank in New York City.

From 1997 to 2000, Jay attended Harvard Law School, where he met his wife Johanna, who is also a member of Harvard Law School’s Class of 2000.

As an attorney, Jay represented taxpayers and the Republican Party three times in legal actions against New Jersey Governors to stop their unconstitutional borrowing and spending schemes. Each of those actions resulted in victories for New Jersey taxpayers. Jay currently practices law in Morristown, New Jersey.

Jay is the founder and host of New Jersey Reagan Day, an annual tribute to the life and leadership of President Reagan, and is a member of the Executive Board of the New Jersey Lawyers Chapter of The Federalist Society.

Jay and Johanna live with their four children in Morris Plains, where Jay is a Trustee in St. Virgil’s Parish and a member of the Morris Plains Republican County Committee.