APP names Vin Gopal And Matt Doherty as "Rising Star" Up-And-Comers To Keep An Eye On

The Asbury Park Press yesterday published a list of 15 up-and-coming political figures in the state to keep an eye on in the upcoming months and years. Chief among them were Monmouth County Democratic Party ChairmanVin Gopal and Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty.

This honor is well deserved, each of these guys are hard working individuals that do an outstanding job. They are each dedicated to those that they serve and have a very bright future ahead of them. People around the state should definitely keep an eye on them.

Here's what the APP had to say about them:

Monmouth County Chairman Vin Gopal

Vin Gopal, Democrat, 27, of Long Branch, was elected Monmouth County Democratic Party chairman in June 2012, making him the youngest county chairman in the state. “He’s a go-getter, he will enliven the party,” one observer noted. His aggressive fundraising efforts have helped the Democrats win elections in key municipalities and his grass-roots organizing has led to the formation of new Democratic clubs in Allentown, Upper Freehold, Neptune City, Little Silver, West Long Branch and other municipalities. He is a small-business owner.

Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty

Matt Doherty, Democrat, 39, is a first-term mayor in Belmar. He already was on the radar of some New Jersey political observers as a bright, well-connected potential fast-riser from the municipal ranks before superstorm Sandy hit. But amid the Shore devastation, Doherty, who is a financial adviser, has made a bigger name for himself as one of the prominent local voices vowing to restore their communities. There will be plenty of praise to go around for the Shore towns that have recovered enough to keep the tourism dollars flowing as the weather warms. If Belmar delivers, Doherty could ride a congratulatory wave a long way.