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A flier distributed by the Diversity Is Our Strength campaign saying ‘Local Freeholder Tom Arnone Endorses Eduardo [Soria-]Gonzales for Board of Education’ was done so without the three-term Freeholder’s knowledge, he confirmed Saturday evening. 

“I did not endorse anyone for the Asbury Park School Board,” Arnone confirmed. “We [the Republican Party] in general, does not historically endorse candidates for the Board of Education. I’m a firm believer that the Board of Education should be run through bipartisanship.”

Soria-Gonzales, when reached for comment Sunday afternoon said, “I guess this must have been something I would have to discuss.” He refused further comment at the time, asking to speak after 5 pm Sunday. 

Along with running mates Vincent Martino and Anthony Remy, the newcomer hopes to unseat incumbents Barbara Lesinski, Connie Breech and Dominic Latorraca. Independent candidate Norman E Robertson is seeking one of the three open seats. 

A connection was made shortly after 6 pm Sunday, at which time Soria-Gonzales said:

“Apparently words got mixed up because it’s a Board of Education [campaign] and it’s nonpartisan so there is no endorsement. We [he and Arnone] both went to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, we are both alumni, that’s where the wording came from because we both know the same people.

“It must have been that my team must have misinterpreted the words; it’s just something we had discussed,” he added. “As far as fully endorsing me, it just happens in this run because it’s not Republican or Democratic, unfortunately, the cards that went out should have been double-checked and they weren’t. We are not trying to mislead anybody, it’s just these things happen.”

“We will see what happens on Tuesday,” Soria-Gonzalez said. “We’ve put in the work, I’m a long-time resident, I didn’t come here five years ago. I can walk down the street in Asbury Park and know pretty much everyone here. I also know the issues, these are issues that have been happening for many years.”

Campaign spokeswoman Felica Simmons, who referred to herself as a consultant to the Diversity Is Our Strength ticket, said, “I have no idea; I don’t see the endorsement but I’ll get back to you because I didn’t do this mailer so I have no idea. I know Eddie is a Republican. I saw this [flier] yesterday but I don’t really know about it because the first time I [saw] it was yesterday.”

Arnone, who said he is friends with Soria-Gonzales, said he is also friends with long-time incumbents Conni Breech and Barbara Lesinski.

“Quite frankly, I’m sure they can find a picture of me and them together,” Arnone said. “I wish him [Soria-Gonzales] the best of luck, I do. I’ve known him for a long time and he’s a great guy and I think they are great ladies too. I’m a strong supporter of the Asbury Park School District and, what is most important for me, is that I continue to run programs for the betterment of that entire district. My motivation is they [the district] needs people like us, legislators, to help them. I want to continue to work with Asbury Park; my job is to work with whoever is in office.”

But Democratic Senator Vin Gopal made his support of Lesinski, Breech and Latorraca’s Moving Ahead Together ticket clear. 

“The three of them have been very effective and responsible school board members,” Gopal said. “I think they are doing a good job on the Board of Education and they should continue. You can see how much Connie does with the Toy Drive and how the three of them are involved in Asbury Park.” 

Breech, who is running for her fourth term on the Asbury Park Board of Education, said she has never seen so many controversies surrounding a campaign. 

“It’s kind of disheartening that there are inaccurate numbers and inaccurate quotes being put out there because I would never put anything out there that wasn’t correct,” she said. “This is a nonpartisan election and it’s nonpartisan for a reason. We don’t play into politics like this because it’s about the children. It is 2019 and people should run on what your platform is. I  fought hard to get to this point and for someone to misinterpret or distort the truth that bothers me.”

To hear each of the seven candidate’s platforms in their own words and/or to see an open forum hosted by the local public access broadcast station, visit asburyparktv.com.

Polls are open from 6 am to 8 pm Nov. 5. For a list of Monmouth County Polling places, click here.

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