Endorsements, Fundraising highlight K-9 Unit Commander Tim Pino’s first month as candidate to become the next Somerset County Sheriff

When longtime Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit Commander/ Chief Tim Pino entered the Somerset County Sheriff’s Race he had made it clear he would be running an outside the box type campaign to re-energize the county’s Republican base and get them back on the winning track in 2019. It started with Tim saying he plans on working a Police K9 while in office, which would be a first in the history of the state for an elected Sheriff. Widely known for successfully lobbying the NJ Legislature for “Dano’s Law” (to protect Police K9’s and Horses), Tim feels he had a proven track record to run on as he knows firsthand on what it takes to get both sides of the political aisle into the same room and unite them for a common cause. 

If his first month of being an official candidate is any indication on whats to come, politics in Somerset County – and around the state – may never be the same. Following his own motto that voters demand actions not words when it comes to public safety, Tim has rolled out his statewide model Diversity Platform and promised recently by stating that once he’s elected, he will be bringing Somerset County its first ever Muslim and African American Undersheriffs. It should be noted one of Tim’s campaign managers is Jewish. One of his advisers is Sikh. Tim is a Catholic who is also the Security Director of the Bridgewater Jewish Community Center. So when Tim talks diversity, he is living it and people are listening. And now they are donating too, “over $51,000.00 raised in just the final two weeks of January” according to his Campaign Treasurer Joseph P. Lamont Jr.   

Following his New Years Eve announcement that he was running for Sheriff, Pino was endorsed by State Senator Michael Doherty (R), former Somerset County Freeholder Patrick Scaglione (R) and former NJ Assemblyman Nelson Albano (D). Tim has now added another State Senator in Declan O’Scanlon (R) as well as neighboring Hunterdon County Sheriff Fred Brown (R) to his list of growing endorsements. “I’m honored to now also have the endorsements of Senator O’Scanlon and Sheriff Brown, both are difference makers within their respective communities and both understand the importance of what I’m trying to accomplish here in Somerset County!” Pino adds.