Former New Jersey Governor Tom Kean, Sr. (R) has endorsed District 31 Republican Assembly nominee Matthew Kopko ahead of the November 3 election.Â
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“In my career in public office and later as president of a major university, I have had the opportunity to meet an assortment of impressive individuals. Recently I had the opportunity to sit down and speak at length with a very impressive individual, Matt Kopko, who I met with in my office recently,” Kean said in a statement.
“I met with not only an incredibly accomplished young man, but with a person who has his heart and mind in the right places. Matt and I delved into very complex issues affecting NJ today, including the environment, the economy, education, and poverty, and I believe after our conversation that he will bring about change for the better with his solutions-based approach, one that’s not stymied by political considerations, but rather what’s in the best interests of the people he represents and those throughout the state.â€
Kean also referred to Kopko as an “emerging and future leader” that “is very rare in today’s political world.”
Kopko was expectedly thrilled to accept the endorsement from the former George W. Bush administration official.
“I can’t begin to say how proud I am to receive Governor Kean’s endorsement. He’s someone I have looked up to for a long time. He is the epitome of what a great governor is, someone who served all people of New Jersey and built a broad, bipartisan, winning coalition,” Kopko said in a prepared statement.
“He made New Jersey a better place for all during his tenure. He later served the nation in the important work of the 9/11 Commission, which he chaired. I can only hope to be able to work towards performing good works like those Governor Kean was able to achieve.”
Kopko, who ran unopposed alongside running mate Herminio Kopko in the June 2 primary election, accused one of his Democratic opponents – Angela McKnight – of violating state Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) law last month.
More recently, he was one of many who spoke out against a new 46th Street redevelopment plan at the Bayonne City Council meeting on Wednesday.
McKnight and Nicholas Chiaravalloti will square off with Kopko and Mendoza at the polls in November.
 has endorsed LD-31 Republican Assembly nominee Matthew Kopko ahead of the November 3 election.){kind=link}