Reading the Returns
As indicated on our Home Page, the Nov. 7 election returns are a mixed picture for Monmouth County. Len Flynn, our Freeholder candidate, won a respectable 3,126 votes or 1.36% of the total. That's in line with past performances and, indeed, indicates some progress. His total exceeded 2% in some municipalities and in Eatontown, Keyport and Union Beach he won more votes than the difference between the Democratic and Republican candidates.
Unfortunately we could not hold on to them in the US Senate and presidential races. Emerson Ellett ran a bit stronger than he did statewide, but still finished fifth in the US Senate race. For president, Harry Browne was much weaker placing sixth in Monmouth County. The perception of close races and a host of other alternate candidates no doubt depressed our totals.
We can't control such factors, but we can others. For one thing we can present a fuller ticket. Gaps on the ballot present a poor image to voters and discourages them from voting libertarian. A full ticket will also help generate publicity. And even the limited coverage Flynn received in the "Asbury Park Press" toward the end was no doubt a big help to his campaign.
Plus keep in mind that campaigns, in and of themselves, regardless of results, serve as excellent outreach efforts. Every day from Oct. 19 to Nov. 6 inclusive there were Ellett ads on News12 NJ, backed up in Monmouth by ads on CNN and CNBC on the Cablevision and Comcast cable systems. And I don't think too many Monmouth voters missed seeing a Libertarian Party lawn sign.
Mark Edgerton is promising to run a vigorous campaign for governor next year. If we give him a full ticket, it will help his campaign immensely. And a strong gubernatorial campaign will be of great help to us in Monmouth. I think it's clear we should dedicate ourselves to challenging both Freeholder seats in 2001 and recruiting as many other candidates as possible.
Until then, my thanks to all for their votes and their support. One last request: we've done our best to remove as many of our Ellett and Browne lawn signs as we could find in the days after the election, but should you see any, please take them up and dispose of them properly. Thanks.
Pat Bontempo
County Chair