MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Young Republicans held a Governor Forum on Monday, February 7 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Rockaway.
More than 150 attended the event and listened to the candidates, Joseph Rullo and Steve Rogers. The event were moderated by Secretary Michael Crispi, and State Committeeman Anthony J. Somma Jr.
This was a great way to kick off the 2017 GOP Primary.
Joseph R. Rullo was born at Clara Mass hospital, Belleville and lived in Nutley. Early youth lived in Port Reading. He attended St. Anthony’s Elementary School and later, Woodbridge High School. As a teenager, Joseph moved to Beachwood in Ocean County. He graduated from Toms River High School South, and Ocean County College where he earned an Associate Degree. After graduating Ocean County College, he transferred to The College of NJ. He lived in Ewing for two years while attending college, and graduated with a B.A. in political science. Joseph remains a proud resident of Ocean County, living in Little Egg Harbor. Joseph has been an entrepreneur and small businesses owner for two decades. He is also an actor in the TV and feature film industry.
Joseph is past member of both Ortley Beach and South Toms River First Aid Squads and was a volunteer fireman on the Manitou Park Fire Department. He has earned an EMT and CPR instructor certification as well.
Designed curriculum as an Ocean County College instructor for continuing education program for acting, renewable energy, and landscape design. He also instructed courses for the unemployed to reenter the workforce.
After receiving an honorable discharge from the USAF in 1974, Steven Rogers became a police officer in the city of East Orange, New Jersey. In 1976, he left the East Orange Police Department and became a police officer in the Township of Nutley, N.J. until he retired in 2011 as a Detective Lieutenant, Commander of the police department’s criminal investigative division. In 1991, Mr. Rogers was appointed by the NJ Attorney General to teach Community Policing methodologies at the Israeli National Police Academy, Beit Shemesh, Israel.
In 2008, Mr. Rogers was elected to the Nutley, N.J. school district Board of Education, and in 2012, he was elected to the Nutley, N.J. Board of Commissioners, and re-elected to that position in May, 2016. During his tenure as a Nutley Commissioner he established the first municipal government Military & Veterans Affairs Bureau in New Jersey, which has won national acclaim.
Mr. Rogers served in the United States Air Force from 1970-1974. In 1986, Mr. Rogers enlisted in the United States Navy Reserves and served with the Office of Naval Intelligence until he retired as a Lieutenant Commander in 2004. In 2001, he served as the Deputy Director Intelligence Support Group, Homeland Security. In 2002, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff, (N2) Intelligence, assigned as the U.S. Northern Command’s Senior Military Intelligence Officer to the FBI National Joint Terrorism Task Force, Washington, D.C.
Mr. Rogers has a degree in Criminal Justice Administration from William Paterson University, Wayne. He also completed courses of study in military strategy at the United States Naval War College, Rhode Island; and courses on Global Terrorism at the United Nations, New York City.
Mr. Rogers is an author and FOX News guest commentator. Mr. Rogers is married and has three grown children. In 2015-2016, he served as an Advisor to the campaign or President Donald Trump.
The Morris County Young Republicans is a chapter within the New Jersey Young Republican Federation. They are one of the most active Young Republican clubs in the State of New Jersey. In 2016, they were proud to receive the NJYRF’s Award for “Club of the Year.” With increased membership and fundraising this past year, including for charity, the Young Republicans take pride in improving their community and working on key races for Republicans in 2017.
The 2017 leadership team consists of Chairman: Joseph Bock, Esq., Boonton; Vice Chair: Sydney Ugalde, Randolph; Secretary: Michael Crispi, Hanover; Treasurer: Julie Lapatka, CPA, Boonton Township; General Counsel: Bill Delaney, Esq., Morristown and Joseph Franck, Esq., Parsippany; State Committeeman: Anthony Somma, Dover; State Committeewoman: Tia-Lynn Fritze, Roxbury and Immediate Past Chair: William Felegi, Jefferson.
For more information on Morris County Young Republicans, click here.
Several members and former members have run for and won elected office. They continue to support fellow Young Republicans in their campaigns and making a difference.
The Morris County Young Republicans is determined to grow our membership to build strong Republican networks in every one of our municipalities. We would like to encourage YOU to join our club, by donating yearly dues of just $35.00. You may bring a check made payable to “Morris County Young Republicans” to their next meeting, or mail a check to our office at 26 Schuyler Place, Morristown New Jersey 07960. You may also pay online by credit card by clicking here. Membership dues allow our group to survive and to run monthly events. For club voting rights, members must be registered Republicans between ages 18-40 living in Morris County. However, we would be delighted to have any of our other friends who are outside of those qualifications to join as Associate Members, and to attend all of our events.