LD39: Schepisi narrowly defeats Auth to succeed Cardinale

Auth (right) with LD39 district mate Holly Schepisi.

Holly Schepisi is headed to the State Senate after winning an LD39 convention on Tuesday evening by a narrow 111-103 margin against her former running mate Bob Auth.

The Senate vacancy was created when Gerry Cardinale passed away unexpectedly in February after a short illness. Cardinale had served in the legislature since the early 80s.

The battle between Schepisi and Auth, whose relationship had long been less-than-cordial, was characterized by increasingly hostile rhetoric in the run-up to tonight’s committee vote.

Victory in hand, Schepisi insisted it was time to look ahead to the fall contest.

“I’m deeply humbled to earn the support of the Republican county committee members from Bergen and Passaic Counties. For nearly a decade, I have represented the 39th Legislative District in the state Assembly, standing up for our Republican values, fighting for our communities, and working to grow our party,” said Schepisi in a statement on Facebook. “As State Senator, I will work with our committees to unify our party and ensure our success this November. With so much at stake this November, it’s critical we all work together to fight back against Governor Murphy’s radical, left-wing agenda while pushing to reopen our schools, our businesses and our state.”

Schepisi will fill the remainder of the late Cardinale’s term; in November, she’ll seek a full two-year term of her own.

Developing…

Matt Rooney
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MATT ROONEY is SaveJersey.com's founder and editor-in-chief, a practicing New Jersey attorney, and the host of 'The Matt Rooney Show' on 1210 WPHT every Sunday evening from 7-10PM EST.