Singer will back Monmouth, Ocean picks for governor

State Sen. Bob Singer (R-Lakewood) intends to back whichever gubernatorial candidate Monmouth and Ocean Counties choose to back.

“I support my chairman. You see I’m split. I have 11 towns in Monmouth and two in Ocean. I have to wait and see,” he said. “I certainly support Sheriff Goldman, my chairman in Monmouth, and I certainly support Frank Holman, my chairman in Ocean. Hopefully they’ll be on the same page, otherwise I’ll be split in half.”

So far, former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli and former Republican State Chairman Doug Steinhardt have launched bids seeking to oust Gov. Phil Murphy. Perennial candidate Hirsh Singh is also running.

It’s too early yet to say which ways the counties will break, and likewise it’s not clear — even to him — what Singer would do if Monmouth and Ocean picked different favorites.

“I guess I’ll have to cross that bridge when it comes, but usually Ocean and Monmouth County are pretty solid together, and I know the chairmen will be talking, and I have faith in my chairmen,” Singer said.