Hometown: Long Branch, NJ

Occupation: Congressman, NJ-6

Age: 75

Personal and/or professional background: I represent New Jersey’s 6th District, covering parts of Middlesex and Monmouth Counties. As the Ranking Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, I help shape national policy on healthcare, consumer protection, energy, telecommunications, and the environment. I played key roles in the Affordable Care Act, lowering drug costs through the Inflation Reduction Act, and crafting the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. I’ve secured millions every year for local projects supporting infrastructure, education, and public health. A lifelong Long Branch resident, I began my public service on the City Council before serving in the New Jersey Senate.

What is your top issue? My top issue is really twofold – the Trump Administration’s assault on our democratic institutions, the Constitution, and the rule of law and the affordability crisis. Since returning to office, Trump has repeatedly abused executive power for personal gain and pushed harmful policies that hurt working families. Until there is real accountability of this administration under a Democratic Congress, we won’t be able to effectively deal with the affordability crisis because Trump will always be working to find a way to line his pockets. Protecting our democratic institutions also means ensuring we have a government that works for the public instead of one that is only focused on corruption and self-dealing.

How would you improve the economy and make the cost of living (groceries, housing, energy, etc.) more affordable? I will continue my work reversing Trump policies that have done nothing to help working families, and only further enriched his billionaire buddies. We must focus on lowering costs and improving economic stability for families in New Jersey. Simply put, prices have risen because of the harmful tariffs on key trade partners, the illegal war in Iran, cuts to renewable energy projects that would have reduced utility costs, and attacks on programs like the Affordable Care Act and SNAP that millions of Americans rely on. I have fought Trump’s policies through court action, congressional oversight as the top Democrat on my committee, and public pressure campaigns demanding accountability from this lawless administration.

What is your plan to make healthcare more affordable and accessible? The best way to make healthcare more affordable is to reverse Republican cuts to Medicaid and restore the ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credits. In New Jersey, 350,000 people could lose Medicaid, while thousands more face rising costs because the tax credits expired. I am also a supporter of Medicare For All. No American should be forced to go without coverage because they can’t afford it, or have to make the impossible choice of buying groceries or going to their doctor

Do you support the war in Iran and federal defense spending? If not, what would you change? I oppose the war in Iran. I will continue to vote for the War Powers Resolution to halt Trump’s illegal actions within 30 days unless authorized by Congress. I will continue fighting to end this conflict before it becomes another costly forever war. Trump attacked without a clear strategy or exit plan, risking another quagmire with no real benefit to our communities. Even the Pentagon acknowledged there was no imminent threat to the United States, yet we have already spent billions, lost service members, and seen prices rise. The war has to end now, and I will keep pushing my Republican colleagues to finally grow a backbone and force that to happen.

What are your thoughts about current immigration enforcement policies and what, if anything, would you do differently? The Trump Administration’s immigration policies have been a disaster. We can enforce immigration laws while still treating people humanely and respecting constitutional rights. ICE should not be conducting warrantless arrests, racially profiling, or targeting sensitive locations while operating like a secret police force. Instead of spending billions on detention facilities, we should invest in affordable housing, healthcare, and lowering costs. I support comprehensive immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who have been here for a period of time, have not gotten in trouble with the law, and have paid their taxes. The President should end his cruel enforcement actions and go after real criminals.

What changes, if any, should Congress or the president make in elections (requiring voter ID, regulating mail-in voting, etc.)? Voting, including mail-in voting, should be accessible to every eligible American citizen. Yet the Trump Administration has repeatedly spread false claims about voter fraud and pushed policies like the SAVE Act that would make it harder for millions of Americans to vote, including married women, military families, rural voters, and survivors of domestic violence. I oppose these barriers and support restoring and strengthening the Voting Rights Act after key protections were stripped away by the Supreme Court. I also support overturning Citizens United to reduce the influence of corporate money in politics and restore faith in our democracy.

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Hometown: Middletown

Occupation: Artist, Business Owner, Caretaker, Advocate

Age: 38

Personal and/or professional background: I bring more than a decade of federal public service experience spanning national security, immigration, veterans’ services, agriculture, education, financial management, and public administration. I earned a B.A. in Criminal Justice from Florida Atlantic University and pursued graduate coursework in Political Science. My service has included roles with Department of Army – NGIC, Department of Homeland Security – USCIS, Veterans Administration, USDA APHIS, and DoDEA, as well as coordination and liaison work with the NSA. I also served in local government with the Key West Police Department. This diverse experience gives me firsthand knowledge of how government operates and how its decisions impact the people it serves.

What is your top issue? Making New Jersey affordable for working families by lowering the cost of housing, energy, healthcare and everyday necessities while expanding opportunities to build long-term economic security.

How would you improve the economy and make the cost of living (groceries, housing, energy, etc.) more affordable? Protecting homeowners and renters from displacement, challenging corporate consolidation that reduces competition, supporting American and New Jersey farmers and food production, and pursuing an all of the above energy strategy including nuclear, natural gas, and distributed solar to increase reliable supply and lower costs.
I also support expanding skilled-trades education and apprenticeships, strengthening small businesses, and rewarding work rather than creating greater dependence on government. A strong economy should allow a working family to afford a home, groceries, utilities, healthcare, and the opportunity to save for the future.

What is your plan to make healthcare more affordable and accessible? I would make healthcare more accessible by expanding patient choice rather than forcing Americans into a one size fits all system. My Health Care for the Future, Not the Past Act would modernize insurance coverage to include evidence based complementary and alternative care alongside conventional medicine. Healthcare reform should increase competition to provide affordability, price transparency and portability while protecting access for people with pre-existing conditions. The goal is simple: affordable healthcare that follows the patient, provides meaningful choices, and puts healthcare decisions back in the hands of patients and their providers.

Do you support the war in Iran and federal defense spending? If not, what would you change? I support a strong national defense, but I do not support prolonged or open ended war with Iran. Congress has the constitutional power to declare war, and any sustained military engagement should require congressional authorization, clear objectives, and accountability to the American people. Defense spending should prioritize our service members, military readiness, homeland defense, cybersecurity, emerging technology, and maintaining a strong deterrent, not wasteful spending or indefinite nation building. America should be strong enough to defend itself while making diplomacy and the prevention of unnecessary wars a national security priority.

What are your thoughts about current immigration enforcement policies and what, if anything, would you do differently? Having worked within our federal immigration system, I believe we can enforce our laws and secure our borders while treating people with dignity and ensuring due process. I support national sovereignty, consistent nationwide standards for detention and oversight. Congress must fix the legal immigration system itself. We need more efficient, accountable processing systems that do not leave families and employers waiting years for decisions. Immigration policy should be firm, fair, humane, and actually workable.

What changes, if any, should Congress or the president make in elections (requiring voter ID, regulating mail-in voting, etc.)? I support common sense election safeguards that make voting accessible while ensuring every lawful vote is protected. Election rules should be transparent, consistently applied, and designed to give voters confidence in the process while protecting every eligible citizen’s right to vote.

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