Frelinghuysen aide mulling Morris Freeholder bid

Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen’s top New Jersey staffer is seeking support to run for Morris County Freeholder.

Aura Kenny Dunn, Frelinghuysen’s district director, was circulating petitions for county office this weekend, according to a Republican official who spoke on the condition of confidentiality.

The Mendham Borough resident was a lobbyist for the Sesame Street Workshop and worked for U.S. Senator Arlen Specter before joining Frelinghuysen’s staff.

Frelinghuysen, who is retiring after 24 years in Congress, began his own political career as a Morris County Freeholder in 1974 while serving as an aide to then-Freeholder Dean Gallo.

Republicans are gearing up for a contested Republican freeholder primary.  Incumbents Deborah Smith (R-Denville) and John Cesaro (R-Parsippany) are expected to seek re-election, but on different slates.  A third freeholder, Christine Myers (R-Mendham), has taken a job in the Trump administration and is not seeking re-election.

Dunn did not respond to a call to her office.