Somerset commissioner reprimanded, fined for campaign finance violation

Somerset County Commissioner Shanel Robinson was reprimanded and fined by the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission for filing her campaign finance report 878 days late.

Robinson was fined $475 after waiving her right to have a hearing on the complaint filed against her.

A complaint filed against Robinson alleged that she did not three reports disclosing campaign contributions and expenditures surrounding the 2018 primary election.

Robinson accepted responsibility for the errors.

“My campaign was made up of volunteers, many of whom were new to the world of hard-fought elections and the associated time constraints. We made some mistakes in meeting deadlines for which I as the candidate am responsible,” she said.  “I fully believe in taking personal accountability for my own actions, and as such, I am glad ELEC brought our error to light. I paid my late fee and fines immediately.”

ELEC filed a three-count complaint last week against another county commissioner, Sara Sooy, alleging that she is also failed to file reports related to her 2018 campaign.

Robinson and Sooy are up for re-election this year and Republicans might use the ELEC violations as a campaign issue.

“Robinson and Sooy’s handling of their ELEC reporting obligation is a lot like their response to the coronavirus: lackadaisical and lacking in transparency,” said Tim Howes, the Somerset County Republican Chairman.

The two Democrats ousted GOP incumbents Mark Caliguire and Patrick Scaglione in the 2018 mid-term elections, giving Democrats their first wins in freeholder (now commissioner) races since Michael Ceponis was elected in 1979.

Robinson and Sooy brough the GOP majority from 5-0 to 3-2.  Former Green Brook Mayor Melonie Marano unseated GOP incumbent Pat Walsh in 2019, giving Democrats control of the Board of Freeholders since 1965.

In 2020, Democrats unseated the last two Republicans on the freeholder board and have a 5-0 majority.  Robinson, a former Franklin councilwoman, is now the director of the Somerset County Board of Commissioners.

Essex County Commissioner Tyshammie Cooper was also reprimanded for filing her 2018 primary election report 665 days later but was not fined for the infraction.

Cooper was unopposed in her race to replace Britnee Timberlake, who had been elected to the Assembly following Sheila Oliver’s election as Lt. Governor.