Gerard Scharfenberger Explained

Gerard Scharfenberger
State Assembly:New Jersey
District:13th
Term Start:January 14, 2020
Predecessor:Amy Handlin
Alongside:Vicky Flynn
Office2:Member of the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders
Term Start2:February 3, 2018
Term End2:January 7, 2020
Predecessor2:Serena DiMaso
Successor2:Nick DiRocco
Office3:Mayor of Middletown Township
Term Start4:2016
Term End4:2017
Predecessor4:Stephanie C. Murray
Successor4:Kevin Settembrino
Term Start5:2013
Term End5:2014
Predecessor5:Anthony P. Fiore
Successor5:Stephanie C. Murray
Term Start6:2010
Term End6:2011
Predecessor6:Pamela Brightbill
Successor6:Anthony P. Fiore
Term Start7:2007
Term End7:2008
Predecessor7:Rosemarie Peters
Successor7:Pamela Brightbill
Birth Date:29 November 1958[1]
Birth Place:Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Party:Republican
Alma Mater:Rutgers University (BA)
Hunter College (MA)
CUNY Graduate Center (PhD)
Residence:Middletown Township, New Jersey
Website:Legislative Website

Gerard P. Scharfenberger (born November 29, 1958) is an American politician, adjunct professor and Republican Party politician who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly representing the 13th Legislative District since 2020, replacing Amy Handlin. Scharfenberger had previously served on the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders and as Mayor of Middletown Township.[2] [3] [4] [5]

Background

Scharfenberger was born in Brooklyn and is a resident of Middletown Township, New Jersey. Before entering politics, Scharfenberger was an archaeologist who worked on historical sites around Monmouth County.[6] Scharfenberger has worked as an adjunct professor of archaeology at Monmouth University.[7] [8]

Political career

Scharfenberger was first elected to the Middletown Township Committee in 2005. He served as Mayor in 2007, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2016 and 2017 and Deputy Mayor in 2006 and 2009.[9] During his time as Mayor, Scharfenberger served on Chris Christie's 2009 transition team and from, 2010 to 2018, as Director of the Office for Planning Advocacy.[10] Scharfenberger was fired from the latter position after refusing to attend a Phil Murphy press conference in support of the governor's support for a federal property tax deduction.[11] Scharfenberger has also served on the Middletown Landmarks Commission since 1996.

Scharfenberger ran briefly for the State Assembly in 2017, but dropped out when incumbent Amy Handlin withdrew from a State Senate race against eventual winner Declan O'Scanlon.[12] Scharfenberger was appointed to the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders after Serena DiMaso was elected to the State Assembly in 2018, winning the subsequent election against Democrat Larry Luttrell.[13] Scharfenberger then ran for the State Assembly in 2019, winning alongside DiMaso.

General Assembly

Scharfenberger opposed a State Senate measure requesting that the Library of Congress remove General Phillip Kearny's statue from Statuary Hall, stating, "However well-meaning intentions may be, the eradication of symbols from our rich historic past must be prevented."[14]

During the COVID-19 pandemic in New Jersey, Scharfenberger refused to accept his legislative salary on the grounds that his constituents' unemployment claims were not adequately fulfilled.[15] [16] In his letter to the state treasurer, Scharfenberger wrote, "I cannot, in good conscience, continue to accept a salary while these issues remain unresolved and my constituents struggle through no fault of their own."

Committees

Committee assignments for the current session are:[17]

District 13

Each of the 40 districts in the New Jersey Legislature has one representative in the New Jersey Senate and two members in the New Jersey General Assembly.[18] The representatives from the 13th District for the 2024—2025 Legislative Session are:[19]

(R)(R) (R)

Personal life

Scharfenberger is married to wife Geraldine and has two children, Alannah and Dan. Scharfenberger's son-in-law, Tony Perry, currently serves as Mayor of Middletown and was previously Chief of Staff for state senator Joe Kyrillos.[20] [21]

Scharfenberger's son, Dan, is a Republican Party strategist in New Jersey.

Electoral history

Middletown Township Committee

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Friedman . Matt . Downtown Hackensack's nickname is amazing . Politico . December 9, 2020 . en.
  2. Web site: Gerard Scharfenberger . Ballotpedia . en.
  3. Web site: Freeholder Gerry Scharfenberger Gerald Scharfenberger elected to State Assembly . November 5, 2019. November 5, 2019. newjerseyglobe.com.
  4. Web site: Gerald Scharfenberger elected to State Assembly. November 6, 2019. New Jersey Globe. en-US. November 7, 2019.
  5. Web site: N.J. election 2019: Republicans could regain some seats in the state Assembly. Johnson. Brent. November 6, 2019. nj. en. November 7, 2019.
  6. Web site: Draz . Lori . Digging Up the Past on Middletown Mayor Gerry Scharfenberger . The Journal . November 11, 2019.
  7. Web site: Gerard P. Scharfenberger, Ph.D. . Monmouth University . November 11, 2019.
  8. Web site: Cervenka . Susanne . Monmouth County Freeholder race: Crude comments, patronage jobs alleged . Asbury Park Press . November 11, 2019.
  9. Web site: Freeholder Gerry P. Scharfenberger, Ph.D. . Monmouth County . November 11, 2019.
  10. Web site: Middletown Mayor Took State Job Before Election . November 5, 2010 . Atlantic Highlands Herald . November 11, 2019.
  11. Web site: Wildstein . David . Murphy fires Scharfenberger . February 12, 2018 . New Jersey Globe . November 11, 2019.
  12. Web site: Wildstein . David . Scharfenberger won't rule out Assembly bid . November 2018 . New Jersey Globe . November 11, 2019.
  13. Web site: Hanlon . Christine Giordano . November 6, 2018 General Election . Monmouth County Clerk . November 11, 2019.
  14. Web site: Smith . Muriel J. . Assemblyman Opposes Removing General Kearny Statue . March 4, 2020 . Atlantic Highlands Herald . April 25, 2020.
  15. Web site: Wildstein . David . Scharfenberger won't take Assembly salary until constituents get unemployment checks . April 20, 2020 . New Jersey Globe . April 25, 2020.
  16. Web site: Scharfenberger Requests Salary Be Withheld Until Constituent UE Claims Processed . April 20, 2020 . InsiderNJ . April 25, 2020.
  17. https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-roster/422/assemblyman-scharfenberger Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger
  18. https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/constitution New Jersey State Constitution 1947 (Updated Through Amendments Adopted in November, 2020): Article IV, Section II
  19. https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-roster?district=13 Legislative Roster for District 13
  20. Web site: Zimmer . Russ . Tony Perry appointed to Middletown committee . Asbury Park Press . November 11, 2019.
  21. Web site: Rotolo . Chris . Middletown Welcomes Three to Township Committee, Perry Is Mayor . January 14, 2019 . Two River Times . November 11, 2019.

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