Politics & Government

Local Attorney Announces Bid For County Freeholder

Andy Smith, vice chair of the Summit Republican City Committee, says 2011 is the year the GOP can win.

Andy Smith, the vice chair of the Summit Republican City Committee and a local attorney, announced a bid for Union County Freeholder Wednesday night.

Smith said he had never given much thought to running for freeholder until last year when Councilwoman Ellen Dickson launched her ultimately unsuccessful campaign.

"She said 'We've finally got a governor who gets it and we've really got to support him.' and she felt the best way she could support him was to run for freeholder," Smith said.

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Smith said he hopes to be bring transparency, fiscal responsibility and accountability to the Democratic Freeholder Board.

"We have a population in this state that is fed up with this government. It's fed up with government taking too much and not giving enough back," Smith said. "And I think nowhere is that more evident than on the Union County Freeholder Board."

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Smith has also served on the Board of Health, is a member of the American Legion and the Summit Taxpayers Association.

Smith graduated from RIT and served in the Army for four years in Korea and Bosnia before attending law school at Boston College. He has three children.

"I really believe that in 2011 we have a shot," he said.

Union County Republicans are holding a convention Thursday evening in Westfield to formally nominate a freeholder slate, along with state legislative candidates. The names of Smith's two running mates have not been disclosed.


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