Former Governor Chris Christie Headlines Event

Just officially 25 days old, the Essex County NJ Republican Women held a Lincoln Day Dinner featuring former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and well-known local media personality Mark Porter.

Held jointly with Montclair Republicans, Essex County NJ Republican Women honored former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie with the evening's 2nd Amendment Award. As chapter vice-president Joan Furlong, herself having been impacted by restrictions around the subject of 2nd Amendment rights, quoted Alexander Roubian of the New Jersey 2nd Amendment Society: 'Governer Christie did more for New Jersey citizens' 2nd Amendment rights than all other governors combined.' Governor Christie gave the evening's keynote address.

Also honored with the evening's 1st Amendment Award was Mark S. Porter, long-time editor of The Montclair Times, a well-known weekly newspaper that dates to the 1880s. At the newspaper's inception and for the next ninety years, Montclair (one of 22 towns in Essex County) was largely a Republican town. It shifted toward 'deep blue' over the past  40 years, during which it has become a domicile just outside New York City for leading, nationally known Democrats and media personalities, and went only 10% for President Trump in 2016. Over those more recent years, Porter always gave many column inches, with excellent placement, to the local 'minority' civic voice. 

The 2019 Lincoln Day Dinner was held at the historic Montclair Golf Club in West Orange, New Jersey. The menu included duet of petite filet of beef and roasted salmon with bordelaise & bearnaise. Planning for next year's event begins Saturday, April 6. For more information, email ECNJRW@gmail.com.

PHOTO: Chapter leaders and members include Joan Furlong, Vice-President (left), Maureen Edelson, President (right), member Susan Straten (3rd from right).