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]
Gerard Scharfenberger | |
|---|---|
.png) Scharfenberger c. 2018 | |
| Member of the New Jersey General Assembly from the 13th district | |
| Assumed office January 14, 2020 Serving with Vicky Flynn | |
| Preceded by | Amy Handlin |
| Member of the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders | |
| In office February 3, 2018 – January 7, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Serena DiMaso |
| Succeeded by | Nick DiRocco |
| Mayor of Middletown Township | |
| In office 2016–2017 | |
| Preceded by | Stephanie C. Murray |
| Succeeded by | Kevin Settembrino |
| In office 2013–2014 | |
| Preceded by | Anthony P. Fiore |
| Succeeded by | Stephanie C. Murray |
| In office 2010–2011 | |
| Preceded by | Pamela Brightbill |
| Succeeded by | Anthony P. Fiore |
| In office 2007–2008 | |
| Preceded by | Rosemarie Peters |
| Succeeded by | Pamela Brightbill |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 29, 1958[1] Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Residence | Middletown Township, New Jersey |
| Alma mater | Rutgers University (BA) Hunter College (MA) CUNY Graduate Center (PhD) |
| Website | Legislative Website |
Background
editScharfenberger 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
editScharfenberger 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
editScharfenberger 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
editCommittee assignments for the current session are:[17]
- Environment and Solid Waste
- Higher Education
- Regulated Professions
District 13
editEach 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]
- Senator Declan O'Scanlon (R)
- Assemblyman Vicky Flynn (R)
- Assemblyman Gerard Scharfenberger (R)
Personal life
editScharfenberger is married to wife Geraldine and has two children, Alannah and Dan.[10] 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
editNew Jersey Assembly
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Vicky Flynn (incumbent) | 30,744 | 28.9 | |
| Republican | Gerard P. Scharfenberger (incumbent) | 30,474 | 28.6 | |
| Democratic | Danielle Mastropiero | 22,440 | 21.1 | |
| Democratic | Paul Eschelbach | 21,655 | 20.3 | |
| Libertarian | John Morrison | 1,241 | 1.2 | |
| Total votes | 106,554 | 100.0 | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
| Republican hold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Gerard Scharfenberger | 51,324 | 31 |  1.5
| |
| Republican | Victoria Flynn | 50,823 | 31 | 1.5
| |
| Democratic | Erin Howard | 31,731 | 19 |  1.5
| |
| Democratic | Allison Friedman | 31,816 | 19 | 1.5
| |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Gerard Scharfenberger | 25,155 | 29.9 | 1.0
| |
| Republican | Serena DiMaso | 24,649 | 29.3 | 1.8
| |
| Democratic | Barbara Singer | 17,240 | 20.5 | 1.4
| |
| Democratic | Allison Friedman | 17,181 | 20.4 | 1.0
| |
Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Gerard Scharfenberger | 129,679 | 51.71 | |
| Democratic | Larry Luttrell | 120,932 | 48.23 | |
Middletown Township Committee
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Gerard Scharfenberger | 20,257 | 31.42 | |
| Republican | Kevin Settembrino | 19,418 | 30.12 | |
| Democratic | Mary Jo Fabiano | 11,813 | 18.32 | |
| Democratic | Raphael Borgess | 11,268 | 17.48 | |
| Independent | Brian Largey | 1,690 | 2.62 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Gerard Scharfenberger | 11,839 | 31.52 | |
| Republican | Kevin Settembrino | 11,295 | 30.07 | |
| Democratic | Linda Baum | 7,243 | 19.28 | |
| Democratic | Patricia Olsen | 7,177 | 19.11 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Gerard Scharfenberger | 12,448 | 28.51 | |
| Republican | Kevin Settembrino | 12,295 | 28.16 | |
| Democratic | Sean Byrnes | 9,640 | 22.08 | |
| Democratic | Mary Mahoney | 9,275 | 21.24 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Gerard Scharfenberger | 7,498 | 26.02 | |
| Democratic | Sean Byrnes | 7,309 | 25.36 | |
| Democratic | Janet Moscuzza | 7,047 | 24.45 | |
| Republican | Tristan Nelson | 6,958 | 24.14 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Thomas Hall | 17,876 | 27.74 | |
| Republican | Gerard Scharfenberger | 17,141 | 26.60 | |
| Democratic | Patricia Olsen | 14,198 | 22.03 | |
| Democratic | Steven Borbely | 13,174 | 20.44 | |
| Independent | Joseph McGrath | 2,043 | 3.17 | |
References
edit- ^ Friedman, Matt. "Downtown Hackensack's nickname is amazing". Politico. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
- ^ "Gerard Scharfenberger". Ballotpedia.
- ^ "Freeholder Gerry Scharfenberger Gerald Scharfenberger elected to State Assembly". newjerseyglobe.com. November 5, 2019. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
- ^ "Gerald Scharfenberger elected to State Assembly". New Jersey Globe. November 6, 2019. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
- ^ Johnson, Brent (November 6, 2019). "N.J. election 2019: Republicans could regain some seats in the state Assembly". nj. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
- ^ Draz, Lori. "Digging Up the Past on Middletown Mayor Gerry Scharfenberger". The Journal. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
- ^ "Gerard P. Scharfenberger, Ph.D." Monmouth University. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
- ^ Cervenka, Susanne. "Monmouth County Freeholder race: Crude comments, patronage jobs alleged". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
- ^ "Freeholder Gerry P. Scharfenberger, Ph.D." Monmouth County. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
- ^ a b "Middletown Mayor Took State Job Before Election". Atlantic Highlands Herald. November 5, 2010. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
- ^ Wildstein, David (February 12, 2018). "Murphy fires Scharfenberger". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
- ^ Wildstein, David (November 2018). "Scharfenberger won't rule out Assembly bid". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
- ^ Hanlon, Christine Giordano. "November 6, 2018 General Election". Monmouth County Clerk. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
- ^ Smith, Muriel J. (March 4, 2020). "Assemblyman Opposes Removing General Kearny Statue". Atlantic Highlands Herald. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
- ^ Wildstein, David (April 20, 2020). "Scharfenberger won't take Assembly salary until constituents get unemployment checks". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
- ^ "Scharfenberger Requests Salary Be Withheld Until Constituent UE Claims Processed". InsiderNJ. April 20, 2020. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
- ^ Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed February 20, 2022.
- ^ New Jersey State Constitution 1947 (Updated Through Amendments Adopted in November, 2020): Article IV, Section II, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 28, 2022.
- ^ Legislative Roster for District 13, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed September 28, 2022.
- ^ Zimmer, Russ. "Tony Perry appointed to Middletown committee". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
- ^ Rotolo, Chris (January 14, 2019). "Middletown Welcomes Three to Township Committee, Perry Is Mayor". Two River Times. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
- ^ "Candidates for General Assembly - For GENERAL ELECTION 11/07/2023 Election" (PDF). New Jersey Department of State. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
- ^ "N.J. election 2021: Results from state Assembly races and statewide ballot question". NJ.com. November 2, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
- ^ "N.J. election 2019: Results from state Assembly races and statewide ballot question". NJ.com. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
- ^ "Official Election Results for Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders For General Election 11/05/2018 Election". Monmouth County, New Jersey Clerk. November 29, 2018. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
- ^ "Official Election Results for Middletown Township Committee For General Election 11/08/2016 Election". Monmouth County, New Jersey Clerk. November 29, 2016. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
- ^ "Official Election Results for Middletown Township Committee For General Election 11/05/2013 Election". Monmouth County, New Jersey Clerk. November 29, 2013. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
- ^ "Official Election Results for Middletown Township Committee For General Election 11/02/2010 Election" (PDF). Monmouth County, New Jersey Clerk. November 29, 2010. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
- ^ "Official Election Results for Middletown Township Committee For General Election 11/05/2007 Election". Monmouth County, New Jersey Clerk. November 29, 2016. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
- ^ "Official Election Results for Middletown Township Committee For General Election 11/02/2004 Election". Monmouth County, New Jersey Clerk. November 29, 2004. Retrieved January 8, 2020.