VINELAND — Local businessman and Cumberland County Freeholder Jim Sauro announced today that he will seek the Republican nomination for State Assembly in the 1st Legislative District and run on a ticket with incumbent Republican Assemblyman Sam Fiocchi.
Democrats had controlled both Assembly seats in the 1st District since 2005 until Fiocchi’s upset victory in 2013 over former Assemblyman Nelson Albano.
“I am running for State Assembly because Trenton needs more people with real world business experience, who are willing to lead and unafraid to speak their mind – even if it means defying members of their own party,” said Sauro, Owner of A.R. Sauro Plumbing & Heating and A.R. Sauro Watercare based in Vineland. “Assemblyman Fiocchi has done a tremendous job representing our region since he took office last year, and together we can be a dynamic force for a new direction in South Jersey when it comes to creating more economic opportunity and improving the quality of life.”
“I could not be more thrilled to have Jim Sauro step forward and accept this challenge,” said Assemblyman Fiocchi, whose record of cutting taxes as a Cumberland County Freeholder helped propel him to victory in 2013. “The number one priority for our region is creating an environment for the creation of good-paying, private sector jobs for the hardworking people who call Cumberland, Cape May and Atlantic Counties home. Jim and I bring more than 60 years of combined experience starting and growing local businesses. Our opponents might talk about creating jobs, but we have a proven track record of actually doing it.”
Fiocchi was born and raised in Vineland, graduated from Sacred Heart Grammar School and St. Augustine Prep, before attending Widener University. After college, he owned and operated a small business in Vineland predominantly serving the agricultural industry for nearly 40 years. Along the way, Sam has been deeply involved in the community and proud to have been honored to be named the NAACP Political Courage Award Winner in 2011 and as the Chairperson for the ARC of Cumberland County Walk-a-Thon in 2013. He is a former member and now benefactor of the Boy Scouts Sacred Heart Troop 36; Co-Founder, Board Member and Sponsor for the Vineland In-Line Youth Hockey League; a volunteer coach for both Vineland’s youth hockey and soccer leagues; and a proud member of St. Padre Pio Parish, where he serves as a Lector. Fiocchi has two sons and one grandson.
Sauro returned to the Cumberland County Freeholder Board last year after an earlier stint from 2000-2002, the last year of which he served as Director. During his campaign in 2014, Sauro campaigned on a comprehensive plan for economic growth and was endorsed by the South Jersey Times as a businessman who “knows what the county needs to do to attract more industry — and jobs.” Sauro has also been a fierce advocate for the establishment of a 4-year Vo-tech school in the county to help local students have more educational opportunities that could translate into good jobs. Sauro graduated from Vineland High School with honors, and attended Cumberland County College, Cumberland County Vo-Tech, Gloucester County College and Cape May Vo-Tech. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Elwyn Institute; is a member of the Greater Vineland Chamber of Commerce and was the former legislative chairman for the New Jersey State League of Master Plumbers. He is married with one son and two daughters.
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