Politics & Government

Leigh-Ann Bellew Plans to Take on Kyrillos in Upcoming Primary

The self-described fiscal and social conservative will seek the Republican nod Tuesday.

Leigh-Ann Bellew, backed by the Bayshore Tea Party, will challenge incumbent state Sen. Joseph Kyrillos (R-13) for the Republican nod to run for state senate during the primary Tuesday.

Bellew, a Union Beach resident, teaches history at Calvary Christian School in Old Bridge. She began her political career in 2004, when she started working as a legislative aid for the League of American Family before running an unsuccessful campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives for New Jersey's 6th Congrssional District. In 2010, she was the chairperson for Anna Little's congressional campaign.

The self-described fiscal and social conservative does not believe Kyrillos represents area Republicans.

Find out what's happening in Rumson-Fair Havenwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"I was quite disappointed in the statements that [Kyrillos] made in his run for U.S. Senate, particularly his statement that we should tax the wealthy more," she said.

High taxes, she added, are the root of the problem rather than the solution.

Find out what's happening in Rumson-Fair Havenwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"We're the highest taxed state in the nation and we rank 47th in business friendliness," she said. "We're one of the top five worst states to do business in. There was a time in New Jersey's history when we had no sales tax and no income tax and we were the fastest growing state in the nation economically during that period of time."

Bellew's running mates on the Republicans for Conservative Leadership slate include Assembly candidates Stephen Boracchia and Edna Walsh, who are challenging incumbent Assemblywoman Amy Handlin (R-13) and Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon (R-13).

New Jersey's 13th Legislative District includes Aberdeen, Atlantic Highlands, Fair Haven, Hazlet, Highlands, Holmdel, Keansburg, Keyport, Little Silver, Marlboro, Middletown, Monmouth Beach, Oceanport, Rumson, Sea Bright and Union Beach. 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here