PARSIPPANY — Michael Crispi, a 24-year-old conservative Republican, launched his candidacy to fill Hank Lyon’s seat on the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Lyons announced he will be seeking Betty Lou DeCroce’s assembly seat. His Freeholder term ends December 31, 2017.
Crispi, a Cedar Knolls resident, believes he may be the answer to directly combat the rising issues in Morris County while persevering the aspects that make the county great.
On Thursday, March 16, the Parsippany Sheraton Hotel was the scene of many supporters, friends, relatives and elected politicans joining Crispi for his announcement.
Murray Sabrin, a Professor of Finance at Ramapo College and 2008 GOP US Senate Candidate and Juanpablo Andrade, a advisor on President Trump’s National Diversity Coalition and National Hispanic Advisory Council spoke during the event.
An employee benefits consultant for Allstate Insurance, Crispi said he quickly became active in local politics after moving to New Jersey, becoming an executive board member of the Morris County Young Republicans (MCYP) and attending various meetings and political functions. Crispi is currently secretary of MCYP.
Crispi said “I’m excited to launch my campaign for Morris County freeholder in a time when our county needs a diverse new perspective on the board. We need a voice who can be an agent for innovative progress and help draw the future industry leaders and community patrons that will continue to make our county one of the best. As the median age in Morris county is rising and the population of New Jersey is shrinking, nobody in this field of candidates is taking the issue head on like I am. Nobody wants to see their children and grandchildren move out of Morris county because it’s too expensive, and if elected, young families who want to live here will be able to with greater ease. We will be the most affordable and most innovative county in the tri-state area. This will benefit all people, from all backgrounds and both parties. I will look to substantially cut the budget and reduce wasteful spending. As the most fiscally conservative candidate in this race with a complex understanding of healthcare issues, I’m confident we can solve the puzzle on Morris View and make it a greater quality facility than ever before. The housing market is also a big focus of mine, and the “reshaping how we live initiative” (tax break program for home renovations) will be something I look forward to talking more about on over the course of this primary cycle.”
Crispi also comes from a long line of public servants. His father, Paul Crispi, recently retired as Federal Security Director for the US Department of Homeland Security in New York; his mother worked for the Federal Aviation Administration. Additionally, his grandfather worked for the Department of Defense and his grandmother worked for the Veterans Administration.
Former Freeholder David Scapicchio and Roxbury Attorney Heather Darling also has filed a petition to run for Lyon’s Freeholder seat.
Another incumbent freeholder, John Cesaro, also is challenging DeCroce in the primary, although his freeholder seat does not expire until the end of 2018.
