Passaic’s Conlon elected Young Republican State Chairman, new Executive Board takes office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The New Jersey Chapter of the Young Republicans National Federation convened, virtually, on February 6, 2021 and elected its Executive Board for the 2021-2022 term. Matthew Conlon of West Milford, who also serves as New Jersey Republican State Committeeman for Passaic County and as Passaic County’s GOP Secretary, was elected State Chairman by a vote of 37-7. Outgoing Chairman Joe Sarno of Scotch Plains presided over the meeting. Forty-six (46) representatives from fourteen (14) counties attended the convention.

Since 2018, there have been two different Young Republican organizations in the state: the New Jersey Young Republican Federation and the Young Republican Federation of New Jersey, chaired by Conlon and Sarno, respectively. However, in December 2020, Conlon and Sarno worked to unite the two organizations and merge them into the YRFNJ. Looking forward to future success for the YRFNJ, Sarno stated “I want to give a big thank you to the new Chairman Matt Conlon for coming together with me in putting together two separate Young Republican groups and bringing them under one umbrella. We are stronger together and today’s convention was evidence of that!”

Regarding the election and his new term as Chairman, Conlon made the following statement:

I am honored to have earned the confidence and trust of the overwhelming majority of Young Republican leaders around our great state.  As stated in my campaign, this administration will work with collaboration and unity while empowering our county chapters with support and resources to aid in getting Republicans elected all over our New Jersey.  I look forward to working with my fellow Executive Board members and our incredible team to hit the ground running.

The Executive Board consists of the following:

State Chairman Matthew Conlon (Passaic)

Vice Chairman Jarrett Branch (Monmouth)

Treasurer Jake Shoemaker (Essex)

Secretary Joseph Bock, Jr. (Morris)

National Committeewoman Katie Cericola (Bergen)

National Committeeman Michael Clancy (Monmouth)

Executive Director Joseph Stillwell (Mercer)

The sixteen (16) county chapters chartered with YRFNJ have their own bylaws and meeting schedules. However, any Young Republican (ages 18-40) can join his or her local chapter by contacting the Chair. The County Chairs are as follows:

Atlantic – Brian Fitzherbert

Bergen – Katie Cericola

Burlington – Steve Parrey

Cape May – Jim Norris

Cumberland – Matt Johnson

Essex – Kristen Bloschak

Gloucester – Andrea Sammons

Hunterdon – Vinny Panico

Mercer – Kasey Deardon

Monmouth – Michael Clancy

Morris – Justin Musella

Ocean – Kelsey McGuckin Anthony

Passaic – Donnie DeDio

Somerset – Maggie Cucci

Sussex – William Washer

Union – JD Bryden

The Chairman Conlon Team’s first goal is to complete the chartering process for YR chapters in Camden, Hudson, Middlesex, Salem, and Warren Counties to ensure that all 21 counties in New Jersey have thriving YR organizations.  For information on how to join or start a county Young Republican chapter, please e-mail mattcgop@gmail.com.