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A fundraiser will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in support of Army Capt. Sue Fulton’s run for County Freeholder.

Sponsored by Joseph and Courtney Pepe of the Asbury Park Democratic Organization and Monmouth Democratic LGBTQ Pride Caucus, the event will be held at Hotel Tides, located at 408 7th Ave.

“We need county government that serves the people of Monmouth over their own political interests,” the Asbury Park resident [shown at right] said of her bid. “I’m an Army veteran with a record of service, and a business executive who knows how to manage a budget. Monmouth County deserves better than the fiscal shenanigans we’ve suffered, and I’m qualified and ready to serve.”

Fulton and running mate Matt Doherty, Mayor of Belmar, are challenging Republican incumbents Tom Arnone and Serena DiMaso for the two open seats.

Among the first class of the United States Military Academy at West Point to admit women, Fulton served as a company commander in Germany. Her civilian work for LGBTQ military recognition began with Campaign for Military Service, which led to the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy.

Fulton served as a founding board member of Knights Out – an organization of LGBT West Point graduates, and OutServe – the association of actively-serving LGBT military members. She advocated for repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and worked closely with the Pentagon on its implementation.

Through an appointment by President Barack Obama, Fulton became the first openly gay person to be sit on the West Point Board of Visitors and was part of a three-person panel at the first-ever LGBT pride event held at the Pentagon.

Fulton and her wife Penelople Gnesin were the first same-gender couple to be married in West Point Chapel in New York, according to a prior report in the asburyparksun.com.

General admission to the fundraising event is $45, with supporter and other sponsorships available. An open bar, hors d’oeuvres and snacks will be served.

The event is also cosponsored by the Asbury Park Democratic Organization and the Monmouth Democratic LGBTQ Caucus.

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