Rufus Johnson Archives - New Jersey Globe

Murphy signs bill renaming freeholders

August 21, 2020 4:20 pm

Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law a bill retiring the title of county freeholder Friday. They’ll be known as county commissioners starting Jan. 1, 2021. “We have an obligation to ensure that governance in New Jersey is inclusive and representative...

Murphy will sign bill renaming freeholders Friday

August 21, 2020 2:15 pmAugust 21, 2020 4:20 pm

Gov. Phil Murphy will sign a bill replacing the title of county freeholder with county commissioner later Friday, he announced during today’s COVID-19 briefing. “I’m going to sign the bill … but it will officially end the title of freeholder...

Essex GOP re-elects Barlas for another four years

August 4, 2020 8:24 pm

Al Barlas was re-elected to a four-year term as Essex County Republican Chairman on Tuesday evening without opposition. Mary Devon O’Brien was re-elected vice chair. “Together with our Executive Committee, we are committed to ensuring our Party is always moving...

All 19 of New Jersey’s black freeholders back name change

July 14, 2020 5:40 pmJuly 14, 2020 5:45 pm

All 19 of New Jersey’s black freeholders announced their support for a plan to phase out the title in favor of one that does not carry as troubled a history. “The origin of the title runs afoul of the ideals...

Essex freeholder incumbents sail through primary

July 7, 2020 9:35 pmJuly 8, 2020 5:48 am

Essex County Freeholder President Brendan Gill and his slate of incumbents easily won renomination over progressive primary challengers Tuesday. Freeholders gill, Romaine Graham, Rufus Johnson and Patricia Sebold defeated challengers Sabre Burroughs, Anthony Diaz and Simone Jelks-Bandison. They’ll face Republicans...

Essex to again consider push for ICE to release detainees

June 10, 2020 2:19 pmJune 10, 2020 5:40 pm

Updated: The Essex County Board of Freeholders voted 7-0 to approve the resolution. Leonard Luciano abstained and Robert Mercado was absent. The Essex County Board of Freeholders will again consider a resolution on Wednesday asking U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement...

Essex GOP runs all-woman countywide ticket

March 31, 2020 2:39 amMarch 31, 2020 2:42 am

Essex County Republicans have fielded an all-woman ticket of countywide candidates, something neither party has done before. The GOP slate includes one African American woman and one Latina. Monique Headen, Gynise Gotto, Bernara Quezada and Alexandra Campisi will run for...