Senate Assistant Minority Leader Joseph Pennacchio called out Bill Spadea today for referring to his running mate, Assemblyman Brian Bergen, as a punk on his NJ 101.5 radio show this morning.
“Like all the men and women who have put on a uniform, Assemblyman Bergan is far from a ‘punk.’ Brian is a West Point graduate who, while he flew missions in an Apache helicopter in Iraq, was shot at by the enemy. He was decorated with the Bronze Star. He is an honorable and decent human being and a great public servant, Pennacchio said.
Spadea made his comment today during an interview with Parsippany Mayor James Barberio; both endorsed candidates who challenged Pennacchio and Bergen in the Republican primary this year. Now Pennacchio and Bergen are backing Suzy Golderer against Barberio in a race for Parsippany GOP municipal chairman.
“Such behavior points to a lack of temperament for one’s who wants to lead our citizens in this great state. Leaders should reach out and try to form bridges with those they disagree with and not use their one-way conversations to incite others against them,” said Pennacchio. “The duo’s political ambitions are clouding their judgment and unfortunately their sense of decency.”
Pennacchio wants Spadea to apologize to Bergen – but that’s not going to happen.
“If I need a cavity filled, I’ll call Joe. Otherwise, let’s leave the military to those who actually served, “ Spadea told the New Jersey Globe.
Spadea, a likely candidate for the 2025 Republican gubernatorial nomination, is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. Pennacchio is a dentist.
Tonight, Spadea will be in Morris County with Sheriff James Gannon at an event to raise awareness for addiction, mental health, and suicide prevention.
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May 7, 2019