Kanitra Named to National Class for Emerging GOP Leaders
A national organization that prepares rising stars in the GOP added Kanitra, the only one from New Jersey, to its roster of 30 Republican lawmakers in the nation.
Assemblyman Paul Kanitra is one of 30 Republican lawmakers in the nation, and the only one from New Jersey, to be named to the 2025 Class of Emerging Leaders by GOPAC, a political training organization that prepares rising state and local Republicans for higher office or leadership roles.
Representing parts of Monmouth and Ocean counties in Legislative District 10, Kanitra was sworn into the General Assembly in 2024. Previously, he was mayor of Point Pleasant Beach from 2020 until 2023 following a term as councilman.
“It is an incredible honor to be included in this class of fellow hard-driving conservatives with an eye toward a better and more prosperous future. I am looking forward to working with GOPAC to learn how we can more effectively build support for Republican legislators and policies that will lower costs, make our communities safer, and bring us back to solving the real issues that matter, not the nonsense Democrats have pushed,” Kanitra said.
To be included in the yearlong program, a lawmaker must first be nominated by legislative leaders in their state. Most recently, Kanitra was appointed by Assembly Republican Leader John DiMaio to serve on the GOP Energy Task Force, a response to rising utility bills and the radical Democrat policies driving the costs.
"Our 2025 Class of Emerging Leaders is the next installment in our mission to build a roster of Republicans who are focused on ideas to make the lives of their constituents easier, safer and better," GOPAC Chairman David Avella said in a statement. "Whether it is leading in their state legislative chamber or running for higher office in the future, we welcome being part of their development and success."
Kanitra also serves on the state’s historical commission and is a member of the following Assembly committees: Telecommunications and Utilities, Public Safety and Preparedness, and Children, Families and Food Security.
GOPAC was founded by Delaware Gov. Pierre “Pete” S. du Pont in 1978 in an effort to build a team of Republican officeholders who could run for congress or higher state offices. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich once served as its chair.
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