Revenge and Retaliation: a Bergen GOP in Crisis

LD39 campaign team responsible for Election Day theft!

I never thought we’d find ourselves here. What’s happened on Election Day 2025 - and in the months leading up to it - has gone far beyond anything I could have expected from within our own party. Now, with the surveillance footage out in the open, we’re not just talking about a bad look for the incumbent LD39 team. We’re facing hard, uncomfortable questions about how seriously they take public service, and what this might mean for the district’s future. It’s disappointing, and frankly, embarrassing for all of us who care about our party and this organization.

At approximately 1:30AM on Election Day, Aidan Rowan, the paid campaign manager for the Auth/Azzariti Assembly team, was caught on surveillance video stealing Pallotta For Assembly lawn signs and throwing them down a storm drain!

Rowan, working for the Auth/Azzariti campaign team, where Holly Schepisi, serves as State Senator, drove around District 39, in the middle of the night in a black SUV, eerily similar to a vehicle owned by Assemblyman Azzariti, stealing the campaign signs of "another Republican candidate". Let that sink in for a moment.

This was NOT an isolated incident. For weeks, the campaign signs of Republican candidates not endorsed by the Organization (the BCRO), have been stolen or vandalized across Bergen. This doesn't happen in Passaic, Sussex, or Ocean County. Only in Bergen!

Incidents like this are more likely to happen, when elected officials and county leaders turn a blind eye to it. It's also worth noting (as you can see) that Rowan, placed only Auth/Azzariti signs, while choosing to steal or destroy only mine. This wasn't random; it was targeted.

Truth be told, the placement (or removal) of lawn signs have almost no impact on the outcome of a race. But this in not about winning or losing. It is about the integrity of our elected officials and the people they choose to surround themselves with.



This is a breach of the public trust and a potential crime; plain and simple. It also appears that under Assemblyman Azzariti, this type of behavior is now becoming commonplace. It's the second time in 16 months that one of John's paid employees has been arrested, charged or had a criminal complaint filed against them.

Most County operatives and volunteers play a game of "follow the leader". Under the past Bergen leadership of Chairman Jack Zisa and current Chairman Jack DeLorenzo & Vice Chair Margaret Frontera, the organization has faced serious allegations, including a pay-to-play(1,2) scandal as well as being found guilty of violating (3) election law.

This latest video incident is just one in a series of embarrassing scandals involving Bergen County employees or volunteers accused or charged with, the dissemination of pornography, stealing campaign-related computer files, and criminal sexual contact. This should be of concern to anyone who cares about the integrity of our leaders and legislators.

It's also worth noting that the video was taken in Waldwick, NJ; the same town where the Auth/Azzariti team distributed one of two fraudulent mayoral endorsement(4) mailers - with a second sent to my own hometown of Mahwah(4), without explanation or apology. Furthermore, the towns where many of the lawn signs were stolen or vandalized, were the same towns that refused to endorse the Auth/Azzariti ticket or refused to use the BCRO "slogan". This was not a random act, but what appears to be a clear act of retaliation.

And to the LD39 Mayors and elected officials who may have been told by Senator Schepisi that endorsing the Azzariti/Auth team was about "party unity", think again. You were likely an unwitting participant in broader plan.

If you feel the need to contact your legislators over this, see the email links below:

Senator Holly Schepisi

Assemblyman John Azzariti

Assemblyman Robert Auth

BCRO Chairman Jack DeLorenzo & Vice Chair Margaret Frontera

Our elected officials, leaders, and campaign staff should always endeavor to follow the law, adhere to broad community standards, and honor the election process. We have every right to expect more - and should settle for nothing less.

Disappointed but not entirely surprised,



Frank Pallotta

(1) NorthJersey.com, Charlie Stile 6/2/22: The NJ political tradition of landing the party line on primary ballots could end.

(2) NorthJersey.com, Dustin Racioppi 5/25/22: NJ Primary raises questions about Bergen Ballots

(3) Patch.com, Montana Samuels 12/15/21: Bergen Co. Republican Organization Held Invalid Election: Judge.

(4) NewJerseyGlobe.com, Zach Blackburn 4/10/25: In GOP Assembly Primary, incorrect endorsement fuels anger