Gov. Christie Endorses Parsippany Mayor Barberio

Parsippany Mayor James Barberio, who is up for re-election in November received a big endorsement for his political campaign, according to a recent report.

Governor Chris Christie, a Morris County resident and former county freeholder endorsed Barberio in a written statement, according to a release from the Re-Elect Barberio campaign.

"Mayor Barberio has held the line on taxes while continuing to increase the quality and scope of municipal services, demonstrating the leadership that I know Parsippany needs going forward," Christie said in a written statement.

Christie also swore in Barberio when he was elected in 2010, the website said.

Barberio is running in the Republican primary against Councilman Paul Carifi Jr.

Mayor Barberio stated "I greatly appreciate the governor's support," Barberio said in a statement. "The governor and I share the same philosophy of cutting taxes and providing a more efficient government that works hard for the people."

He added that he and Christie "have worked hard to control property taxes and spending" and that he looks "forward to continuing my working relationship with Governor Christie." 

The nod from Trenton is the latest good news for the incumbent. Two weeks before Christie's endorsement, the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office announced it would not file criminal charges in connection with Town Council candidate Dr. Louis Valori's allegations that Mayor James Barberio offered him a job in January in exchange for not running for office.

Valori, who is running on Carifi's ticket, had alleged that Barberio offered him a $50,000 job with Parsippany Police that required "loyalty" to the mayor in exchange for not running for municipal office this year. 

Barberio said Valori's charges were unfounded and motivated by revenge and "insatiable greed." The Somerset County Prosecutor's Office probe determined that filing charges against the mayor was "not viable."