Lincroft man runs for sheriff
Republican Peters plans to face Guadagno in June 5 primary
BY DAN NEWMAN
Staff Writer

MIDDLETOWN - After feeling slighted by his party's leaders, a Lincroft man has decided to run in a primary for Monmouth County sheriff.

Dan Peters, 42, a Lincroft resident for the past three years and a former police detective in South Amboy for 10 years, said he wanted to get involved after hearing that current Sheriff Joseph Oxley would not seek re-election.

"Once I heard the news, I decided to send an e-mail to the GOP in Freehold," Peters said. "I got a response from the office of the chairman [Adam Puharic]. But what I really wanted was a sit-down with Mr. Puharic. About two weeks before the GOP convention, I exchanged e-mails with him, but that was about it."

Peters said he was eventually told by a representative of the GOP not to attend the convention.

"It's like the parties have their people picked way ahead of time," Peters said. "At the very least, I think Puharic should have invited me and spoken to me. I have never met him and I think that looks bad."

Puharic could not be reached for comment on this story.

Peters currently works as a consultant for FAA Credit Union in Clark. That, combined with his law enforcement background, makes him the right candidate for the job, he said.

"I have the experience in both areas to make things work for the people of our county," Peters said. "We need to hold ourselves to a higher standard and I won't stand for any corruption. And when I get elected, I will help to clean up politics in our county."

Peters feels he is a good candidate because he can save the county some money. He said he has had no dealings with Kim Guadagno, a Monmouth Beach Borough Commissioner and former assistant U.S. attorney who holds the endorsement of the Monmouth County Republicans. He also said that if county GOP leaders would have taken the time to speak with him, Guadagno's name would not be on anyone's lips.

"Things would be completely different now if the GOP had respected me at all," Peters said. "I definitely feel like I can beat her. Ninety-nine percent of the people I speak with say they want new blood and they want change, and I represent that possibility of change. I'd be proud to wear that sheriff's uniform."