I've already written about why the outcome of local elections will affect your every day life more than the presidential election, but now I want to cover why I'm supporting the Monmouth County Democratic ticket (and why I think you should, too!). Our Republican incumbents have become complacent, and it's time to change that by getting new, highly qualified individuals into office.

At the top of the ticket for Monmouth County is the sheriff race. The current sheriff, Shaun Golden, is also the chairman of the Monmouth County Republicans. If that isn't a conflict of interest, I don't know what is. Sheriff Golden has also shown wasteful spending, like a several hundred thousand dollar police boat. While our county is blessed to have 27 miles of coastline, it's already patrolled by the U.S. Coast Guard, NJ State Police and even the NYPD. In what world to the taxpayers need to fund another boat solely for the county? Beyond Golden's obvious faults, the Democratic candidate Jeff Cantor could not be a more qualified individual. As a colonel in the U.S. Army, Cantor helped establish a police academy in Iraq while on deployment. He absolutely has law enforcement experience, and it's in one of the most volatile regions of the world so I have no doubt he would be incredibly effective as a law enforcement officer. Additionally, he's putting people above politics. As a councilman in Marlboro, Cantor has been incredibly popular and successful. With his military background there is no better choice for sheriff this November.

In the race for Board of Chosen Freeholders, Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty and U.S. Army captain Sue Fulton are running against Republican incumbents Tom Arnone and Serena DiMaso. Mayor Matt Doherty has shown incredible leadership, especially in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy which greatly affected his town of Belmar. Mayor Doherty ensured every displaced family was able to return home and has kept the businesses in Belmar up and running so we can all enjoy our trips down the shore. Specifically, he helped raise the money throughout his town to get the final two families displaced back home. He has fought for getting the pavilions repaired on the Belmar boardwalk, and won. He maintained a bipartisan spirit, working with Governor Christie and local Republicans to ensure Sandy recovery was 100 percent successful. Mayor Doherty has absolutely maintained — and improved — the town of Belmar since he's been mayor. All the while he has kept taxes low, never raising them once since taking office. That's the kind of leadership we need on the Board of Chosen Freeholders.

If that wasn't enough, Sue Fulton is a U.S. Army captain and so much more. Coming from the first class of women to graduate West Point, she is a true progressive as she was instrumental in the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell and lifting the ban on transgender military service. Sue was appointed by President Obama to serve on the West Point Board of Visitors, of which she was elected chairperson. Sue Fulton has shown leadership in the military where she served as a platoon leader, staff officer, and company commander. She has also shown leadership in the professional world managing businesses at Fortune 100 companies.

Finally, or the surrogate race, Rosemarie Peters, a career politician who's held office for 28 years is running against Vincent Solomeno, a U.S. Army National Guard captain with years of dedicated public service at home and abroad. Vinny is both a Truman and Fulbright scholar, and he received the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal. Vinny is so dedicated to service and Monmouth County, that I know he would be an active surrogate and ensure no one forgets what the surrogate's office does. He's protected us abroad, and at home serving in the National Guard dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Rosemarie Peters has just been holding elected office, and you wouldn't even know it, because she is simply not as active at improving our county for the better as she could be. Vinny will make change for the better in our county, something that's desperately needed in these times.

So there you have it: that's why I'm voting straight down the Democratic ticket this year. With a race so meaningful as the county races are, a race whose outcome will greatly affect your daily life, who would you rather have? Three military officers and a mayor with countless experience serving at home and abroad, improving the lives of thousands with their dedicated service, smart policies, and desire for change? Or the same people holding the same office (who have yet to speak out against Trump, by the way) who simply have not done enough in their respective terms to make any noticeable change for good?

To me, the choice is clear. I'm voting for the Monmouth County Democrats on November 8th, and I think you should to.