Republican state Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon has announced he will seek the state Senate seat being vacated by Republican Sen. Joe Kyrillos, who is retiring at the end of the current legislative session.
New Jersey’s 13th Legislative district covers Aberdeen Township, Atlantic Highlands, Fair Haven, Hazlet, Highlands, Holmdel, Keansburg, Keyport, Little Silver, Marlboro, Middletown, Monmouth Beach, Oceanport, Rumson, Sea Bright and Union Beach.
O’Scanlon and Republican Amy Handlin are the current Assembly members who represent the district and Kyrillos is the district’s senator. The next legislative election will be in November 2017. A Senate term in New Jersey is four years and an Assembly term is two years.
“Joe Kyrillos has set a very high bar in the difference he has made in so many lives in Monmouth County and beyond,” O’Scanlon said in a press release. “My record as a leader in the Republican Caucus of the Assembly as well as delivering excellent constituent services to the people of Monmouth County demonstrates that I am the best choice to continue and expand upon Joe’s great work.”
The press release states that O’Scanlon’s legislative accomplishments include pension and benefits reform, the 2 percent property tax cap, the elimination of red light cameras from New Jersey and recent reforms in the way the state pays for prescription drugs and procures lifesaving equipment for its police officers.
“I have never let my status as a minority member of the Legislature impair me from fighting for and winning fiscal reforms for the hardworking taxpayers of Monmouth County and all of New Jersey,” O’Scanlon said, referring to the fact that Democrats are the majority party in the Senate and Assembly.
“There is no member of the Legislature who has proposed more cost-saving reforms in the Legislature than myself to address New Jersey’s property tax crisis. Monmouth County residents are paying too much and receiving too little in return,” he said.
O’Scanlon also pointed to his work in rebuilding the Bayshore region of Monmouth County after superstorm Sandy, as well as his efforts in expanding organ donation in the state, battling the addiction epidemic and his efforts to expand municipalities’ ability to share services.
He said his priority in the Senate, if elected, will be to expand upon his record of reforming New Jersey’s finances to make government more affordable while fulfilling the state’s obligations and growing New Jersey’s economy.
