Dems choose Byrnes for freeholder run
Control of county board at stake
BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer
The Monmouth County Democrats, in control of the Board of Chosen Freeholders for the first time in 23 years, have selected Middletown Committeeman

Sean Byrnes

Sean Byrnes to keep control of the county.

Byrnes' name will be on the Democratic ticket in June's primary election for the open seat on the county Board of Chosen Freeholders.

The Monmouth County Democratic Committee awarded its endorsement to the Middletown committeeman at their convention on April 5.

One three-year-term freeholder seat is at stake in the November general election to replace Freeholder Director Barbara Mc- Morrow, a Democrat.

The Republicans selected former Red Bank Councilman and Middletown resident John Curley the previous weekend as the

GOP candidate.

Middletown Democratic Chairman Joseph Caliendo said Monday that Byrnes is a strong candidate.

"Sean Byrnes has the best chance of winning in November from among those who have expressed an interest to do so," Caliendo said.

Byrnes is a father of five and a Monmouth County native who grew up in Red Bank.

He entered the Coast Guard Academy, New London, Conn., where he graduated with a degree in government. From 1985 to 1987 he served as the operations officer and navigator of the Coast Guard cutter Gentian operating out of Atlantic Beach, N.C.

He graduated from the Coast Guard's Maritime Law Enforcement School.

Following his Coast Guard service, Byrnes began a career in law and is currently in practice with the Law Offices of Sean Byrnes, Red Bank.

Byrnes has served on the Red Bank Board of Education and the Red Bank River- Center, is a founding board trustee with the Parker Clinic in Red Bank, and has been a leader of many groups for the Community YMCA in Red Bank and Middletown.

In his two years on the Middletown Township Committee, Byrnes has been a strong advocate of open government and keeping a tight rein on the budget.

Byrnes has spearheaded the formation of Middletown's Strategic Planning Committee that maps out the future for Middletown operations.

Middletown's Strategic Plan outlines the township's current organization, programs, services and responsibilities, and makes recommendations on how to improve the municipality's overall efficiency.

He also co-sponsored a recently passed resolution that would have resolutions posted on the township website.

Caliendo said Byrnes is eminently qualified to become a freeholder.

"In this important upcoming county race, it is vital that Monmouth Democrats put up the best candidate they can to win in November," Caliendo said. "The best person for the job is Sean Byrnes, without a doubt. If you can win in Middletown as a Democrat, you can win anywhere."

Caliendo said that because of the large number of voters who turn out from Middletown, the township plays an important role during county elections. Caliendo said he believes Byrnes will resonate with voters throughout the county, and especially in Middletown.

Curley will be on the Republican ticket for the seat that is being vacated by Mc- Morrow, who announced on March 26 that because of health issues, she would not seek re-election to the Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Curley won the nomination in a 36-27 roll-call vote against former Atlantic Highlands Borough Councilwoman Kim Spatola.

Curley served on the Red Bank Borough Council since 2002 and stepped down from the council last year when he moved to Middletown.