Michael Thulen, Jr. Announces Campaign for Vacant Ocean County State Committeeman seat.

I, like many of you in Ocean County – and across our state – was saddened by the news of Former
Mayor and State Committeeman Thomas Kelaher’s passing. Tom was an accomplished man who served
Country, Town, and County – our community – with dedication and grace that will be hard to
replicate. In the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, as a board member of the local Hometown Heroes
charity, I had the pleasure of working alongside Mayor Tom for the first time as he directed his
team’s actions in coordination with Hometown Heroes to distribute donated aid to people throughout
Toms River. While only one small project among many other priorities to his Township whole again,
Tom always provided whatever resources he could find to ensure aid was quickly delivered to people
in need.

The void left by Tom’s passing means Ocean County needs a State Committeeman to serve the Ocean
County Republican Organization and represent the organization in the State’s Republican Committee.
I believe I am the right person to take up the good work that Tom was able to achieve as State
Committeeman for our County Organization and will continue his good works on the State Committee.
Serving as a State Committeeman will allow me to help our Republican organization maintain the
strength we have in Ocean County, protect that strength in the future, and help more Republicans
win elections across the state. As a lifelong resident of Ocean County, and a homeowner in Point
Pleasant Borough for the last eight years with my wife Jennifer and our baby girl Avery, I’m firmly
rooted in the community with an eye to the future for Ocean County. As State Committeeman, I will
bring my experience and network across the state together to benefit our Ocean County Republican
Organization helping it grow and making sure the Republican State Committee provides the resources
our organization deserves as the reddest county in the state. That network that I can draw upon
for the benefit of our county organization comes from years of working for the Republican Party as
a former two-term Point Pleasant Borough Councilman, former State Chairman of the New Jersey Young Republicans, as a former board member of the Young Republican National Federation, and more
importantly as a volunteer for candidates up and down our great State running for office at all
levels of government. I hope to have your vote on Primary Day so Ocean County is properly
represented at the State Committee in June. If elected, I look forward to helping the Republican
organization register more Republican voters, develop local clubs, find, and support new Ocean
County Republicans willing to be elected to office, as well as help all the clubs, local and
county, implement new fundraising techniques.

As I begin my journey to win the State Committeeman election, I will be calling many officials and
voters across the county to ask for your votes and one of my first calls was to my friend Mayor
Paul Kanitra in Point Pleasant Beach. He was very excited by the news and offered this kind
endorsement:

“I’m endorsing my good friend Mike Thulen for State Committeeman because I know firsthand just how
qualified and capable he is. In an era of political nepotism where the best man or woman for the
job isn’t always chosen, Mike stands out in the crowd. He’ll be a much-needed infusion of youth into the process at a time when young Republicans are drastically
underrepresented in political office across the state. As a former Presidential Appointee, head of
the State YR’s and a Board Member of the National YR’s he’ll be able to navigate the different
factions of our party with ease. I hope my fellow Ocean County Republicans simply compare his
credentials with anyone else’s and then make their minds up accordingly.”

I want to thank Mayor Kantira for his kind words and all of the people I have spoken to so far
pledging their support, as I roll out my campaign for State Committeeman you will be hearing from
them as well. Over the next few days please keep an eye out for my new website
www.MichaelThulenJr.com for news on my campaign for this office and how you can help, sign a
petition to add me to the ballot or donate if you are interested.

I look forward to talking to even more Republican voters over the next few months to hear what your
concerns are for our party and our county.

Be safe.
Michael Thulen Jr.
Candidate for Ocean County Republican State Committeeman