Republican Jim Gannon Outlines Campaign Platform at Kickoff Rally

Career law enforcement official pledges to keep residents safe, while ushering in more modern, professional and fiscally responsible approach to the Morris County Sheriff’s Office

For Immediate Release
Contact: James Gannon 973-224-6053

Boonton, Monday, February 8th – Republican Jim Gannon kicked off his campaign in front of an overwhelming number of supporters at a jam-packed Maxfield’s on Main in Boonton on Monday night, and used his speech to outline a three-point campaign platform focused on ushering in a more modern, professional and fiscally responsible approach to the Morris County Sheriff’s Office.

“Those of us active and plugged into the law enforcement community know all too well the very serious threats facing our homeland from radical Islamic extremists, and from the scourge of illegal drugs like heroin invading our communities,” said Gannon, whose 33-year career also included stints as a member of the FBI's elite Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Global Head of Security Risk at the Fortune 200 company Novartis.  “I want to take my experiences in both the public and private sector to the Sheriff’s Office, and ensure that everything possible is being done to keep Morris County’s families safe and secure.”

Gannon’s campaign platform includes:

• Working with local, county, state and federal law enforcement and public safety communities to keep Morris County’s neighborhoods, schools and businesses safe and secure, and to strengthen the county’s preparedness in light of the increased threat of terrorism.  

“As someone who addresses local crime concerns as a beat cop and county investigator, battled extremists every day as a member of the FBI’s elite Joint Terrorism Task Force, and headed up Security Risk for a multinational company, I am confident in my abilities to always keep the Morris County’s Sheriff’s Office ahead of the curve in a rapidly changing world,” said Gannon.

• Promote programs that help seniors identify and avoid consumer fraud, keep children safe, crack down on gangs, and combat the use and sale of illegal drugs.
  
  

“Protecting our seniors from being targets of deceptive consumer practices, and our children from being victimized by gangs and illegal drugs will be top priorities for the Sheriff’s Office under my leadership,” pledged Gannon.

• Restore a productive and respectful relationship with the Freeholder Board, and recommit the Sheriff’s Office to financial accountability and responsibility in these challenging economic times.  

“The seemingly continuous acrimony between the Sheriff’s Office and the Freeholder Board has been bad for Morris County, and it will come to an end if I am elected Sheriff,” said Gannon.  “Elected officials don’t have an obligation to agree with each other on every issue, but they do have an obligation to work together to iron out those differences in a respectful and productive way.  That hasn’t happened in recent years, and it’s time for a new direction.”

Gannon was introduced by his daughter, Kate DeSantis, who called him “the most dedicated, supportive father to me, and husband to my late mother” and praised her Dad’s career in law enforcement, saying “my Dad has never been off duty.”

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Jim Gannon Prepared Remarks

Thank you all for coming out tonight. I am truly humbled by the level of support that you have shown me tonight and throughout my entire life. For that I am ever grateful and promise to never let you down.

Kate, thank you.  I love you and am so proud to be your Dad. You are an impressive, intelligent and beautiful woman who has carried on the great reputation of your Mom.  A special shout out and congratulations to you and Matt. You are expecting a little baby boy in August and I am simply over the moon! God Bless.

A special thanks to the Harmony Senior Drum Corps, the Boonton Fire Department and the Boonton Police Department. Your support is very much appreciated.  Added thanks to Kevin and Jess at Maxfield’s and Barry McArdle and Tim Metz for their tremendous music.  Last but not least, thank you to our M.C. tonight - Jack Repsha.  Captain in the NJSP Major Crimes Unit and Colleague at Novartis.

Thirty-three years ago, I could never have imagined standing here, in front of a crowd like this, announcing a run for elected office.  Back then, I was starting out in my first job, as a Boonton Police Officer.  

In fact, right out here on Main Street was the first beat I ever walked as a cop…

Literally where I took the first steps on a career in law enforcement that has been fulfilling in so many ways.  That journey took me from being a police officer in Boonton and Boonton Township…

To Deputy Chief of Investigations at the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office…

To a member of the FBI’s elite Joint Terrorism Task Force…

And, most recently, as Global Head of Security Risk at Novartis.

Today, Main Street is where I take the first steps on another journey…

A campaign to become your Morris County Sheriff.

Let me first say that none of it would have been possible if it weren’t for the love and support of my daughter, Kate, who you met earlier, and her husband Matt.  And my partner in crime for 26 years, my late wife, Lisa, who passed away in 2010 after a long and courageous battle with Multiple Sclerosis.  And to you, my family and friends. I couldn’t do this without you!

This past week, I threw my hat in the ring to run for Sheriff to utilize my 33-plus years of law enforcement and security experience to usher in a more modern, professional and fiscally responsible approach to the Sheriff’s Office…

And to help make Morris County an even more safe and secure place to live, work, worship, be educated and retire.

The unfortunate reality that we are all facing today is that there are very serious threats facing our communities…

It’s a new world!

From radical Islamic extremists – both foreign and homegrown – who wish to do us harm and destroy our sense of freedom…

To a worsening heroin epidemic invading our communities and schools, destroying lives through addiction…

To sophisticated cyber predators and fraudsters who seek to prey on our children and seniors.

I am running to confront these threats head-on through a campaign platform that includes:

Working with local, county, state and federal law enforcement and public safety communities to keep Morris County’s neighborhoods, schools, houses of worship and businesses safe and secure, and to strengthen the county’s preparedness in light of the increased threat of terrorism.  

By promoting programs that help seniors avoid identity theft and consumer fraud.

And by keeping children safe, cracking down on gangs, and combatting the use and sale of illegal drugs.

I will also pledge to repair the fractious relationship that currently exists between the Sheriff’s Office and other county elected officials by:

Restoring a productive and respectful relationship with the Freeholder Board, and recommit the Sheriff’s Office to financial Accountability and Responsibility in these challenging economic times.  

Elected officials don’t have an obligation to agree with each other on every issue.

But they do have an obligation to work together to iron out those differences in a respectful and productive way.  

That hasn’t happened in recent years, and it’s time for a new direction.

I appreciate the encouragement and support from everyone here at Maxfield’s.

I am looking forward to a positive, substantive and exciting campaign that makes you all proud to be part of Team Gannon!

Thank you again.  God Bless you and your families, and God Bless the United States of America.