NJ Cops October17 | Page 39

Election Day Preview Nov. 7, 2017 Election Connections The success of the PBA’s political action efforts has set the table to make biggest statement ever on Election Day 2017 n BY AMBER RAMUNDO Election Day, 2015… The New Jersey State PBA Political Action Committee (PAC) saw its call for member involvement materializing to get out the vote. It showed in the numbers, as more than 250 members from across the state gathered to work the phone bank at The Forge in Woodbridge, a final, vital push to get the word out. As 110 phone lines buzzed with outbound calls, Executive Vice- President and Election Day Commander Marc Kovar could liter- ally hear the voice of the State PBA raining down on the political climate, calling for change that was long overdue. “This is a whole new era,” Kovar noted of the PBA PAC-attack taking shape among members. “If we keep this up, we can be- come one of the most powerful groups in the state.” Fast forward to present-day, when the steadfast approach of Election Day energizes the action of PBA Locals to tip the polls in favor of law enforcement-enforced candidates across the state. Merely two years since the inaugural push of the state PAC, the significance of PBA political action becomes all the more vital. And legislators are taking notice. This past June, Bergen County Conference Chair Charlie Schwartz’s cell phone started ringing. The calls came in from unidentified numbers, all reaching out for the same consult: the support of the PBA for senate and assembly campaigns across Districts 35, 36, 38 and 39 that govern Bergen County. In Monmouth County, Bradley Beach Local 50 State Delegate Mike Tardio has been leading a “boots on the ground” move- ment within the County Conference to knock on doors, make calls and apportion donations for endorsed candidates who have shown they stand behind the PBA. In Atlantic/Cape May County, Mainland Local 77 State Dele- gate Mike Palmentieri has been sending emails out weekly, an effort that keeps the Local’s 500 members on the same page re- garding whom to vote for and why. At the same time, Local 77 is tending to the growing relationship with candidates in District 2, who now call Conference executive board members for feed- back on political issues that could affect the PBA. “We have the candidates reaching out to us now for help,” Kovar updates. “They’re asking for our support, asking us to send bodies, asking us for contributions. We’ve had candidates who we’ve told ‘No. You haven’t helped us in the past and we’re not helping you.’ It sends a strong message.” Taking Action The Monmouth County Conference was listening at the 2015 PBA Mini Convention, when Schwartz stood before the podium to share some advice. “If you’re not at the table, you’re probably on the menu,” Schwartz announced to the State Delegates who gathered, stressing that the Bergen County Conference’s rally for political action is an effort that can be achieved across all 40 of New Jer- sey’s Legislative Districts. Members of the Bergen County political action effort were instrumental in furthering the PBA’s political action with is boots-on-the ground campaign support on Election Day 2015. Bradley Beach Local 50 hosts phone banks every Wednesday, when thou- sands of calls are made by 10 officers who volunteer their time each week. “They explained the importance of not just being a voice, but doing the work,” Tardio clarifies as the strategy he brought back to the Monmouth County Conference to have its voice heard in District 11. In mid-August, the Monmouth County Conference publicly endorsed democratic candidate Vin Gopal for state senate, as well as Joann Downey and Eric Houghtaling for the general as- sembly, in a political rally on the Asbury Park boardwalk. After meeting with the PAC to confirm the endorsements, President Pat Colligan and Kovar traveled to the rally to enforce the PBA’s support for the candidates. “It’s something that you have to look at early on and see where you can make an impact,” Tardio shares about the decision to CONTINUED ON PAGE 40 www.njcopsmagazine.com ■ OCTOBER 2017 39