The candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.

Age: 67

Hometown: Bedminster

Occupation: Nursing administrator

Personal background: I grew up in South Jersey-Buena, NJ – graduated from Vineland High School – attended Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania-School of Nursing on a full scholarship. I continued my education with a B.S. in health care administration and a master’s in health care administration. I worked initially as an intensive care unit nurse for eight years and then went into serving people with developmental disabilities in large state facilities in New Jersey; I consulted in this field in four other states and was CEO of three large state facilities serving people with developmental disabilities. I am currently a chief nursing officer at Matheny Medical and Educational Center, serving children and adults with developmental disabilities.

Political background: I have been a lifetime Democrat, believing in Democratic values. I have previously run for Bedminster Township Committee, State Assembly and State Senate for LD23. This is a very Republican area, but I believe people are ready to consider alternatives.

Why are you running for office? I am running for office to help New Jersey stay on track with the Democratic values that have been enacted in our state thus far. I grew up with civil rights, gender rights and racial equality being enacted throughout the United States. Since 2016, these rights are being eroded and I want to continue to protect those rights at least for New Jersey. I am a mother and grandmother of seven grandchildren and I want them to have gender equality and a non-toxic environment in which to live.

Key election issue: Property taxes.

I support expansion of the ANCHOR Program, which offers property tax relief to homeowners and renters as well as the implementation of StayNJ, which would give additional property tax relief to senior citizens.

Example of a successful project: In my professional life, I led at least two facilities that were going to lose their licenses and assisted them back to recertification. That took meeting with all levels of staff and helping people feel empowered again to succeed.

Example of a challenge faced: Going through a divorce was very difficult after 25 years of marriage; my ex-husband had depression, causing financial difficulties in both our finances and the business of my brother-in-law, for whom he worked. With strong family support, use of mental health services and spiritual services, I was able to work my way back to solid emotional and financial health.

On NJ’s gun laws: I would not change the current existing laws.

On the Murphy administration’s climate change proposals: My running mates and I all support the Murphy administration’s initiatives. Climate change needs to be addressed through a combination of measures, including solar, offshore wind, electric cars and greater use of electricity. We have also emphasized the need to retrofit existing buildings so that they are more energy efficient. This would significantly reduce the use of fossil fuels and create a considerable number of good-paying jobs for those already in the trades and for the additional people who would need to be hired to accomplish all that needs to be done. With both commercial/office buildings and a significant amount of the housing stock in this state pre-dating the most modern energy efficiency standards, this is a task that is long overdue, and which needs much greater attention.

On housing affordability and property taxes: As stated earlier, I support the ANCHOR Program, which offers property tax relief to homeowners and renters, which would help make rent and housing more affordable through a reduction in property tax expenses. The addition of StayNJ relief would be a bonus for senior citizens, many of whom are on a fixed income and cannot afford to stay in their homes due to ever-increasing property taxes.

Campaign website

The candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.

Age: 37

Hometown: Califon

Occupation: Self-employed

Personal background: I was raised in Chatham, Morris County, and I currently have been living in Tewksbury, Hunterdon County, for four years. I have completed a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a master’s degree in psychology during my educational journey. Working as an entrepreneur has taught me organizational management, negotiation and contract-writing skills, which I believe are all critical to public service and public utility offices as well, especially the Legislature. I strive to be a powerful listener, always answering to the needs of people on the ground before “special” interests.

Political background: I have always been a Democrat. New Jersey is such a wonderful place to live, with such a high quality of life, because we have such a robust public sector and I believe we have the Democratic Party to thank for this. Furthermore, it is the Democratic Party in the form of Craig Coughlin’s StayNJ project that is doing the most to help offset the burdens of property taxes, which is a core and legitimate issue to New Jersey politics. Lastly, I was a supporter of the Tom Malinowski campaign locally during the past cycle and was a surrogate for Andrew Yang when he was running his presidential race with the Democrats.

Why are you running for office? I am running for office for many reasons but if I had to identify one, it is the need to increase civic engagement in this district. By considering diverse groups of constituents, going to all types of regular meetings and exploring common ground we can absolutely change the culture and deliver improvements in government that we all deserve, which ultimately is why I want to continue to do the work.

Key election issue (including solutions): Property taxes.

I support expansion of the ANCHOR program, which offers property tax relief to homeowners and renters as well as the implementation of StayNJ, which would give additional property tax relief to senior citizens.

Example of a successful project: I started a small video production business in South Korea when I lived there that turned into a boutique marketing and communications firm, serving huge clients, like Porsche, Marriott and Pfizer. However, we were also able to take smaller clients during that time as well, and we could hardly differentiate between the importance of a contract based upon the amount of money we thought it would bring. I did it all by pounding the pavement, relentlessly, and I intend to do the same amount of legwork when I am in office.

Example of a challenge faced: The death of my mother was profoundly difficult for me. She had suffered with brain cancer for over a year before requiring hospice. I overcame the challenge of caring for her and my young family simultaneously by learning many types of mindfulness practices. I think applying those skills to any sort of high-pressure or stressful situation is key.

On NJ’s gun laws: I would not change the current existing laws.

On the Murphy administration’s climate change proposals: My running mates and I all support the Murphy administration’s initiatives. Climate change needs to be addressed through a combination of measures, including solar, offshore wind, electric cars, and greater use of electricity. We have also emphasized the need to retrofit existing buildings so that they are more energy efficient. This would significantly reduce the use of fossil fuels and create a considerable number of good paying jobs for those already in the trades and for the additional people who would need to be hired to accomplish all that needs to be done. With both commercial/office buildings and a significant amount of the housing stock in this state predating the most modern energy efficiency standards, this is a task that is long overdue and which needs much greater attention.

On housing affordability and property taxes: As stated earlier I support the ANCHOR program, which offers property tax relief to homeowners and renters which would help make rent and housing more affordable through a reduction in property tax expenses. The addition of StayNJ relief would be a bonus for senior citizens, many of whom are on a fixed income and cannot afford to stay in their homes due to ever-increasing property taxes.

Campaign website

The candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.

Age: 33

Hometown: Flemington

Occupation: Cybersecurity customer success manager, farmer

Personal background: I grew up in El Paso, Texas, as the son and grandson of a local grocer. I have been wealthy and homeless, and I have worked in the trades and gone to college. I straddle rural and urban America, white- and blue-collar America. So does my district. LD23 deserves to be represented by someone who knows what it is like to worry about your next paycheck, or an injury keeping you from the hours you need, but who can also appreciate how much it can sting when you see just how little of a bonus actually goes into your pocket.

Political background: I don’t have one. I am a normal guy who wants to make a difference.

Why are you running for office? New Jersey, our beautiful Garden State, has given me everything. I got a new start, a wonderful wife, an education from Rutgers and a career I love here – and it’s time to pay back my community and the state I love. I am running to represent the younger generations, to make sure we have a voice and to make sure there are climate knowledgeable folks in Trenton representing my district.

Key election issue: Property taxes.

I support expansion of the ANCHOR program, which offers property tax relief to homeowners and renters, as well as the implementation of StayNJ, which would give additional property tax relief to senior citizens

Example of a successful project: I do it every day. I plan and complete projects on the farm and at work I am effectively a project manager with security analyst training and expertise.

Example of a challenge faced: My life has been a challenge. I am adopted, my birth family is divorced, I was a childhood epileptic and I now have migraines, vertigo and cluster headaches under management. I have been homeless, with nowhere to turn. I have suffered poisoning and traumatic injury. I relocated from Texas to New Jersey when I had nowhere to turn – my health was poor, so I couldn’t earn a living, and I had no money, no family who could support me and no prospects. My wife gave me a new chance here in New Jersey and I embraced it. I have built a good life here through resilience, a good work ethic and being willing to accept a hand up when I needed one.

On NJ’s gun laws: I would not change the current existing laws.

On the Murphy administration’s climate change proposals: My running mates and I all support the Murphy administration’s initiatives. Climate change needs to be addressed through a combination of measures, including solar, offshore wind, electric cars and greater use of electricity. We have also emphasized the need to retrofit existing buildings so that they are more energy efficient. This would significantly reduce the use of fossil fuels and create a considerable number of good-paying jobs for those already in the trades and for the additional people who would need to be hired to accomplish all that needs to be done. With both commercial/office buildings and a significant amount of the housing stock in this state predating the most modern energy efficiency standards, this is a task which is long overdue and which needs much greater attention.

On housing affordability and property taxes: As stated earlier I support the ANCHOR program, which offers property tax relief to homeowners and renters, which would help make rent and housing more affordable through a reduction in property tax expenses. The addition of StayNJ relief would be a bonus for senior citizens, many of whom are on a fixed income and cannot afford to stay in their homes due to ever-increasing property taxes.

Campaign website