(Parsippany, NJ) When State Sen. Joe Pennacchio needed a legislator he could trust to investigate the Covid-19 deaths in NJ nursing homes in 2021, he chose Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce. He did not choose Assemblyman Brian Bergen, says DeCroce who is now squaring off with Bergen in the LD-26 Republican Primary Election on June 6.

DeCroce notes that Pennacchio named her and Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips (R-40) to serve as panelists during the committee’s first hearing on March 5, 2021.

“Obviously, Sen Pennacchio did not choose Assemblyman Bergen for the committee investigation into Covid-19 deaths because he knows that when there is important work to be done in Trenton, you want people who are serious, respected, experienced, and judicious. You don’t want people whose approach to solving problems is screaming and yelling,” said DeCroce, referring to Bergen’s legislative behavior.

DeCroce added that Bergen’s deportment during the Primary Election campaign has been unprofessional and troubling. He has earned the ire of the Dover Republican Organization, which said in an online message that they were “stunned and disappointed” in Bergen’s campaign literature attacking DeCroce as a member of the “Three Stooges.” Bergen currently represents Dover in District 25.

“Voters in LD 26 should not be persuaded by Mr. Bergen’s despicable hit piece,” wrote the Dover GOP in a Facebook post. “If Republicans want to see change in Trenton, we must elect people are authentic, diplomatic and have a proven record of accomplishments.”

“I have prided myself on being a professional in Trenton and working for my constituents to get things done, not call attention to myself, as Mr. Bergen has done in ridiculous displays,” said DeCroce.

The Assembly Republican Offices chose me to serve on seven committees in the legislature because they trust me to bring intelligent and rational Republican positions to the committees, not to turn the legislative process into a circus,” said DeCroce.“

That’s why 55 bills that I sponsored have been signed into law and dozens more I co-sponsored become law. I’ve made over 5,700 votes in the legislature and countless speeches on the statehouse floor, and not once did I resort to clownish tactics.”