David Rible

Sen. Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth), campaigning last year with Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande and Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon.: Politicker file photo 

MINNEAPOLIS - Identifying in her hockey mom, small town mayor’s story the features of a universal American life, and exhilarated by her willingness to put her head down and charge after their rivals, members of New Jersey’s GOP delegation praised the acceptance speech delivered tonight by Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, their vice presidential nominee.

"I know my constituents will be able to identify with her, a working mother whose family depends on two incomes," said state Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean, Jr. (R-Union).

Since he first declared his hope two or three weeks ago that Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) would choose Palin as his running mate as a way of reaching base conservative voters, women, and blue collar America, Kean has consistently emphasized as a strength Palin’s distance from the ambitious political culture of Washington, D.C.

"This was someone who was picked because of her competence as governor, as opposed to her going out and seeking the office," the senator added.

Democrats view Belmar Councilman Matt Doherty as their best chance to pick up a seat in the Monmouth-based eleventh district, where the GOP has not lost since 1989. Doherty ran an aggressive and well-financed campaign for the State Assembly in 2005 against two Republican incumbents, but lost.

Assemblywoman Alison McHose and Assemblyman David Rible today in Trenton. 

TRENTON - A day after Gov. Jon Corzine and the Democrats launched what had the vibe of a pre "overwhelming victory" party, Republicans attempted a low-key, state-level counter-offensive here this afternoon at the height of the budget season.

While Democrats may be in the throes of Obama fever, "Jon Corzine is not terribly popular now," said Assembly Whip Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield), referring to the governor’s 38% job approval rating, according to Quinnipiac University.

Battling for some GOP respect, Bramnick announced the formation of the New Republican Policy Committee, which he hopes will be one of the features of a new-face Republican party. The move comes in an atmosphere in which the departing Republican president’s job approval rating is 22% and Obama leads presumptive Republican nominee Sen. John McCain by six points.

In district 11, a last minute shot by the Democrats to make the Assembly contest competitive with a six-figure check translated in part into an attack ad targeting Republican David Rible of Wall Township.

Rible is running for the Assembly with Mary Pat Angelini of Ocean against Democrats John Napolitani of Interlaken and John Pirnat of Belmar.

Democrats will spend about $300,000 over the next ten days on television commercials supporting Assembly candidates John Napolitani and John Pimat in the eleventh district, according to state Democratic sources.  John Villapiano, the Democratic Senate candidate, will not be included in the ads funded primarily by the Assembly Democratic leadership PAC. 

John PirnatThey may not be getting a profusion of dollars from the state Democratic Committee, but district 11 Assembly candidates John Pirnat of Brielle and John Napolitani of Interlaken tomorrow will welcome Teamsters President James P. Hoffa to speak on their behalf at a private fund-raising event, according to Pirnat.

Pirnat, the business agent and recording secretary on the executive board of local Teamsters Union 177, is running in part on a platform of jobs training and jobs creation in the hard luck shore towns here.

On Sunday, after attending a service at St. Stephen AME Zion Church in Asbury Park, the men went to the brick wall of a convenience store in Asbury, and acknowledged the name of Justin Johnson.

Johnson, 19, a resident of Atlantic Avenue, died of a gunshot wound last Thursday in Old Village, and now his name is scrawled on a piece of cardboard taped with a balloon to that wall with others who were the victims of gang shootings.

A woman stopped by to look at the messages for the dead left on the wall. Her brother was also killed and his picture is there, and the men listened to her story in this campaign season, in this town devastated by gang violence.

Democrats John Villapiano, John Napolitani and John Pirnat - the three Johns, as they call themselves - are not the favorites in this seaside legislative race. The senate candidate Villipiano is up against a popular legislator in Assemblyman Sean Kean, and lacks significant financial support from the state committee.

For more 11th district campaign videos, visit Max Pizarro's Video Blog

A Republican candidate for the Assembly in district 11, David Rible takes a break from working the room at Octoberfest.

You can almost hear the groans from legislators at the idea of taking a day off from their summer vacations to return to Trenton. But that’s exactly what Assemblyman Sean Kean wants to do.

RIBLE ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR ASSEMBLY IN 11TH DISTRICT

WALL BUSINESSMAN, FORMER POLICE OFFICER WANTS

TO CUT TAXES, ATTACK CORRUPTION

(Wall, NJ) - Wall Township businessman and former police officer David P. Rible announced his candidacy today for Assembly in the 11th District today.

Rible resides in Wall and is the owner of Dr. Lock Inc., a locksmith company based in Wall.

He said he wanted to run for the Assembly to fight for taxpayers and small business owners.

“As a small business owner, I am keenly aware of how the taxpayers and small business owners in Monmouth County are being overwhelmed by constantly increasing taxes,’ he said. “I want to go to Trenton to fight to make New Jersey and Monmouth County a more affordable place to live and do business.�