race, falling short by about 10 points. 2001–2004: Chairman, New Jersey Republican State Committee From 2001 to 2004, Kyrillos served as Chairman of the New Jersey Republican State Committee and a member of the Republican National Committee, where he worked to elect Republicans who shared his vision. In that role, he facilitated the logistics and implementation of the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York City and read the delegate count for President George W. Bush's nomination for re-election on the convention floor. 2008 Romney presidential campaign Kyrillos was the New Jersey Chairman of Mitt Romney's 2008 presidential campaign. 2009 Christie gubernatorial campaign In 2009, Kyrillos served as chairman of Chris Christie's successful gubernatorial campaign and was a member of the Governor's Transition Committee, serving as the liaison to all transition sub-committees. 2012 U.S. Senate election In June 2011, Kyrillos filed an exploratory committee for a potential race in either 2012 or 2014. On January 19, 2012, Kyrillos officially decided to run for the U.S. Senate, citing unemployment, housing prices and the national debt as issues he would tackle in the Senate. Kyrillos won the Republican nomination on June 5, 2012. He opposed Democratic incumbent Bob Menendez in the November 6th general election, in which he was defeated 58.4% to 40%. Memberships Kyrillos has served on the boards of the American Council of Young Political Leaders, National Conference of State Legislatures Foundation, Bayshore Senior Day Center, Count Basie Theatre, Garden State Arts Center Foundation, Monmouth County Historical Association, New Jersey Historical Society, Prevention First, Rainbow Foundation, and the Two River Theatre Company. Personal life Kyrillos is married to Susan Doctorian Kyrillos and has two children, Max and Georgia. Election history References External links Senator Kyrillos's Official Site Joe Kyrillos for Senate Senator Kyrillos' legislative web page, New Jersey Legislature New Jersey Legislature financial disclosure forms 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 Senator Joseph M. 'Joe' Kyrillos Jr., Project Vote Smart |- |- |- 1960 births 21st-century American politicians American people of Greek descent Boston University College of Communication alumni Chairmen of the New Jersey Republican State Committee Hobart and William Smith Colleges alumni Lawrenceville School alumni Living people Republican Party members of the New Jersey General Assembly Republican Party New Jersey state senators People from Kearny, New Jersey People from Middletown Township, New Jersey Politicians from Monmouth County, New Jersey Candidates in the 2012 United States elections