Hometown Conservative Team announced by Senator Steve Oroho

FRANKLIN – Senator Steve Oroho announced he will be leading a Hometown Conservative Team on the June primary ballot. “This team is made up of six people with long histories of service to the people of Sussex County and Northwest New Jersey,” Senator Oroho said.

Running as the Hometown Conservative Team are:

Steve Oroho
Steve Oroho for State Senate (District 24): Oroho was active in his community for decades as a volunteer firefighter and youth athletics coach. He is active in numerous community organizations like Center for Prevention and Counseling, Project Self-Sufficiency, Champions for Charity, and Birth Haven. A former Franklin Borough Councilman and Sussex County Freeholder, Oroho won a hard fought race in 2007 to become Senator. He is a key member of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee, where he has won praise from business and labor for his work to create a bipartisan consensus to reform business taxes and develop a more jobs friendly environment in New Jersey. Steve and Rita Oroho have been married 32 years. They are the parents of five children and have two grandchildren.

Gary Chiusano
Gary Chiusano for Surrogate (Sussex County): Chiusano’s service to Sussex County spans his whole life. From his days as a star high school football player to today, when he fights for Sussex County as a member of the Assembly Budget Committee, Chiusano has always been there for his neighbors. After years of local community involvement, Chiusano ran for the school board as a reformer and won. He went on to serve his hometown of Frankford as its Mayor. And when county Republicans needed someone to take on an incumbent Democrat Freeholder – Chiusano took on the challenge and won. In 2007, Chiusano confounded the pundits again and won a seat in the Assembly, where he has been an advocate for fiscal discipline and conservative values. Gary and Carol Chiusano have been married 34 years. They have a son, two daughters, and two granddaughters.

Alison Littell McHose
Alison Littell McHose for Assembly (District 24): McHose is the ranking woman in the Assembly Republican Caucus. She is one of just three Republican members who bring to the Assembly the important perspective of being the mother of school-aged children. After graduating from college, McHose worked in the administration of President George H. W. Bush before marrying and returning to Sussex County. Elected after a tough race in 2003, McHose has made a name for herself as an articulate voice for conservative values, electoral reform, and transparency in government. She is active in numerous community service organizations in Sussex County. McHose and her husband, Sergeant Morgan McHose (U.S. Army), live in Franklin with their three children. They have been married 19 years.

Parker Space
Parker Space for Assembly (District 24): Space owns and operates the Space Farms Zoo & Museum – an institution in Sussex County since the 1920’s. Born and raised in the rural heritage of Northwest New Jersey, Space has been active with farming and conservation groups, and as a volunteer firefighter. Space was elected by his neighbors to serve as Mayor of his hometown, Wantage, before winning an upset victory for Freeholder in 2010. Considered a voice for reform in the county, He is currently the Director of the Sussex County Freeholder Board. As a member of the Assembly, Space will be a strong conservative voice for the values of Sussex County. Parker and Jill Space have been married 20 years and are the parents of three children.

Mike Strada
Mike Strada for Sheriff (Sussex County): An Army combat veteran and career law enforcement officer, Mike Strada ran on a platform of reform and was elected Sheriff in 2010. As Sheriff, Strada has provided more services to the people of Sussex County – at less cost to taxpayers. He reduced staff through attrition and cut operating expenses two years in a row, while increasing services through the use of operational reforms and shared services. Mike expanded the inmate work program to provide service seven days a week. Inmate details paint firehouses, clean parks, provide maintenance services for several non-profit organizations, assist in church-based community efforts, help food pantries, care for 34 historic cemeteries throughout Sussex County, and maintain the grounds of the County Courthouse. Mike and Kim Strada have been married for 15 years. They have three children and live in Hampton Township.

Rich Vohden
Rich Vohden for Freeholder (Sussex County): Vohden is a farmer, businessman, Army veteran, and Boy Scout Merit Badge Counselor. He has been raising raspberries, asparagus and poultry on his Green Township farm for more than 30 years. Vohden is active in his hometown and served on the Township’s Environmental Commission, Planning Board, and Open Space Committee. He served Sussex County as a member of the County’s Open Space Committee. He’s a past Chairman of the Sussex County Planning Board, and a member of the County Strategic Growth Committee. Vohden won his election for Freeholder in 2010 and currently serves as the Board’s Deputy Director. He was recently appointed to the New Jersey Highlands Council by Governor Chris Christie. Vohden has three grown children and has been together with his wife Faith for over 30 years.

“I am proud of our team and our service to Sussex County and Northwest New Jersey,” Senator Oroho said, adding: “To run for office requires both courage and humility. We come before the voters and argue our case and they make their decision. In June, it is up to the Republican primary voters to decide who to nominate to represent them in November. Then we go before all the voters who render their final decision.”

The Senator noted that Sussex County is one of the few counties in New Jersey without a party line in the primary. “All of our primaries are essentially open primaries. Ballot placement is not granted by some party machine. Here in Sussex County everyone is subject to the same luck of the draw.”

“We come before the voters with a strong hardworking team with proven service and dedication to our residents.”