Joyce Kanigel for Rockaway Borough Council

Q: What is the County Committee?

A: The Committee is an organization of the Republican Party of Morris County. (Other political parties also have County Committees.) The members help guide the direction of the party. But they do not have the power to make public laws, and they have no public governing authority.

Q. Who are the members of the County Republican Committee?

A: The Committee is composed of representatives from each election district in Morris County. Each district is represented on the Committee by two residents. (If you received a mailing from us in May or June 2014, you live in District 1 in Rockaway Borough.)

Currently there are about 600 men and women who are members of the Committee. They represent most of the districts in Morris County.

Committee members can be:
(a) elected by the voters in their district
(b) or if there are vacancies, the local (municipal) Republican committee can appoint members to the Committee.

Q. Is it legal for both a husband and wife to be members of the County Republican Committee?

A: Yes. The Committee's rules require that one man and one woman represent each district. Since the Committee is not a governmental body, and members do not receive payment or benefits, married couples are eligible to serve.

Q: Are Committee members paid for serving in this position, and do they receive any benefits?

A: No, Committee members receive no pay or benefits for serving as Committeemen or Committeewomen.

Q: I don't see your names on my sample ballot.

A: On your 2014 sample ballot you will find most of the candidates listed in "Republican Column 5," near the right side. Looking down the list of candidates, you will see near the bottom "Member of the County Committee (Male) (Vote for 1)." Harry's name and the button to vote for him (button 8) is right next to that.

And underneath, next to "Member of the County Committee (Female) (Vote for 1)," is Joyce's name and voting button 9.

Also, in small print above each of our names you will see the words "Fiscally Conservative Republican."

Q. What does the County Committee do?

A: On the County-wide level, the Committee serves to influence the direction of the Republican Party in Morris County.

For example, if the Committee membership becomes more conservative, the Committee's chairman may direct more donated funds to help conservative candidates win in contested general elections.

The Committee also plays a role in selecting a replacement when an elected official's seat becomes vacant, if the seat-holder was a Republican -- or, if a Republican candidate has his or her name removed from the ballot.

(A recent case where this happened was during the controversy over a Freeholder's seat back in 2011:
You might remember that William "Hank" Lyon won his election in the 2011 Republican primary. However his opponent challenged the election in court. A judge decided to vacate Lyon's win, and ordered Lyon's name removed from the November 2011 ballot. At that point, with no Republican candidate on the ballot for general election, the County Republican Committee had to meet to choose a Republican candidate's name that would appear on the ballot. Several candidates, including Hank Lyon, submitted their names for consideration.
As your elected Rockaway District 1 Committee members, Joyce & Harry Kanigel supported Hank Lyon, because Lyon had won a majority of votes in Rockaway Borough in the primary. We felt that the voters had spoken.
But when the entire County Committee voted, Lyon lost...by only five votes. He fought on in court to reverse the judge's ruling that had taken him off the ballot. Lyon won his appeal to have his name put back on the spring 2012 primary ballot for Freeholder, and went on to win a Freeholder's seat that November.)

On the local (municipal) level: If there is a vacancy in a local office (such as Borough mayor or council seats), local members of the Committee, i.e. the members from Rockaway Borough's five election districts, get together to nominate candidates to fill the vacant seat until the next election.

In the event of a vacancy, Harry & Joyce would work to find the best-qualified and most fiscally conservative candidates to take the vacant seat.

Q. Why do you believe you are the best candidates for County Committee from District 1 in Rockaway ?

A. Rockaway Republicans tend to be very fiscally conservative. If they're going to be represented well, their County Committee members should:
(a) have a strong background of participation in conservative politics
(b) be clear with voters about their reasons for running for this position
(c) not have ulterior motives for seeking this position ... for example seeking favorable treatment for cronies

For (a): Joyce & Harry have a strong background of supporting conservative Republican candidates for office. Since 1992 we have volunteered for the campaigns of several Republican candidates. We have walked many miles going door-to-door to get-out-the-vote for the most conservative candidates.

For (b): Joyce & Harry are clear about our reasons for running for Committee:
1. When there are vacancies, we want to help select the most fiscally responsible candidates to take those seats.
2. We want to help promote candidates who are most committed to limiting the size of government and reducing taxes.

For (c): Joyce & Harry are not beholden to any special interest groups. We look to serve the taxpayers of the whole Borough. We reject cronyism and giving favored treatment to anyone or any group, as well as doling out taxpayers' money for lavish and unnecessary perks.

Note to Independent voters: If you would like to vote in the Republican primary, you may change your registration to Republican on primary election day (Tuesday, June 3, 2014). Ask your poll-worker for a change of registration form. The form is very short, and you can vote immediately after it is completed.