GUARINO UNBOWED BY JUDGE’S RULING

GUARINO UNBOWED BY JUDGE’S RULING VOWS TO FIGHT ON AGAINST ENCAP AND SARLO 

Newark – Despite today’s administrative court hearing denying Michael Guarino a chance to be on the June Primary ballot as Republican challenger to Sen. Paul Sarlo, the Guarino campaign remains committed to fighting the Wood-Ridge Democrat. 

Guarino said he is evaluating his options. He can appeal to a Superior Court judge or run as write in candidate in the June 5 Primary Election. 

“Today’s ruling is a blow to democracy, but it is one that we will overcome. I will not let Paul Sarlo and his EnCap cronies go unchallenged,� said Guarino. 

“I am disappointed that the judge did not see fit to uphold democracy in considering my petition for candidacy,� said Guarino. “In a state where the courts have bent over backwards to guarantee competitive elections, it is surprising to see a decision that denies the people a choice.� 

Ultimately, the judge ruled that six of the 104 signatures submitted on Monday by Guarino to be a state senate candidate were invalid, leaving him two short of the 100 needed to qualify. 

ENCAP FIGHT         

Guarino is an avowed opponent of the multi-million redevelopment project in the meadowlands known as EnCap. Sen. Sarlo has been a backer of the project, which has widespread opposition by residents of Rutherford, Lyndhurst and North Arlington.

“Sen. Sarlo does not want me to run against him because he does not want to defend his support of EnCap,� said Guarino. "He does not want this election to be a referendum on one of the most despised development deals in state history.� 

Guarino spokesman Thom Ammirato said: “This effort on the part of Sen. Sarlo and his attorney Dennis Oury to remove Mike Guarino from the ballot, is not just a way of circumventing democracy, it is also their way of protecting their benefactor, EnCap.  Both Mr. Sarlo and Mr. Oury have benefited financially from the EnCap scam – Sarlo through thousands of dollars in campaign donations, and Oury, by a $50,000 fee for selling EnCap bonds through the Bergen County Improvement Authority.� 

TAXES AND CORRUPTION  

Guarino said EnCap is not the only issue he is running on. “I am running because Sen. Sarlo has supported billions of dollars in new state spending, a higher state sales tax, and billions in new state debt and a multitude of state pension excesses.  I am running because Mr. Sarlo and his development cronies support abuse of eminent domain and condemnation of people’s homes and businesses,� said Guarino, a retired director of the Bergen County Health Department. 

“I am running because Sen. Sarlo has helped create one of the worst business climates in state history and has done nothing to end the torrent of government corruption that has infected this state,� added Guarino, a former Democrat. 

“Only through a spirited campaign can voters have a complete airing of these issues. I will not let one judge and two petition signatures stop that debate.�