To challenge two-term Democratic Sheriff Darrin Russo, Branchburg native and former Union County homicide detective Michael Manochio will run for the Republican nomination for Somerset County Sheriff.
According to a release, Manochio spent almost thirty years as a prosecutor in the counties of Essex and Union. In order to combat fentanyl and violent undocumented criminals, Manochio stated that he will collaborate with all state and federal law enforcement organizations.
In a press statement, he stated, “I am excited to contribute my leadership, experience, and dedication to justice to the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office.”
The second Republican to declare a campaign is Manochio. Earlier last week, Marine veteran and former SWAT Team commander Bill Brown declared his intention to run.
When Russo, a former lieutenant in the Franklin Township police department, first ran for sheriff in 2016, he narrowly defeated six-term Republican Frank Provenzano by 1,286 votes, 50.4% to 49.6%. Russo defeated North Plainfield Police Chief Bill Parenti by a 52%-48% margin, while Provenzano retired in 2019. When he ran for reelection in 2022, he received 55%.
