Age: 72

Hometown: Long Branch 

Occupation: Congressman

Personal background: I have lived in Long Branch my entire life. I graduated from Middlebury College (BA), the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts (MA) and went to law school at Rutgers Camden (JD). Upon graduating, and after a stint in maritime law, I began to take a more active role advocating for my hometown, which led to being elected to local, state and eventually federal office. Once in the House of Representatives, I took a strong interest in the Energy and Commerce Committee as an opportunity to advocate for the priorities that impact my constituents and all Americans directly, including affordable health care, lowering the cost of prescription drugs, access to high-speed internet, consumer protections against corporate greed, protecting the environment, and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels just to name a few. As chair of the committee, I authored major components of the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. These provisions included forcing corporate polluters to pay for clean-ups of Superfund sites, funding for clean energy projects across the country, and finally giving the government the power to negotiate lower prices for prescription drugs.

Political background: After running Governor Florio’s campaign office in Monmouth County, I won a seat on the City Council in Long Branch and was elected to the State Senate before running in a special election to replace Congressman Jim Howard in the House of Representatives in 1988. I’ve been honored to represent my neighbors in Congress ever since and their trust inspires me every day.

Reason for running: Donald Trump and right-wing Republicans in Congress are doing everything in their power to take away women’s health care rights and provide large tax breaks to big corporations. They’re willing to trample all over our democratic system, including fair elections and the peaceful transfer of power, to enact their agenda. That’s dangerous and wrong. My focus is on standing up to the MAGA Republicans and passing an agenda that puts people over politics. If elected, I’ll fight to lower costs, grow the middle class, and defend our fundamental freedoms.

Biggest issue: Protecting our democracy and the sanctity of our elections is central to a political system that serves the people and our shared values. We have many urgent priorities that need to be addressed from climate change and sea level rise threatening New Jerseyans to stopping corporate greed and junk fees that drive up inflation. I’m proud to have led the fight to lower health care and prescription drug costs with the Affordable Care Act and the Inflation Reduction Act but so much more must be done. Those priorities – the priorities of working families – could be out of reach if the Republican party only recognizes elections that they win. We need to protect and exercise the right to vote so that our political system can deliver on an agenda that serves the people.

On the federal government’s role in women’s reproductive health: Donald Trump appointed right-wing justices to the Supreme Court with the explicit goal of overturning Roe v. Wade. He succeeded. Now, Republicans want to enact a nationwide abortion ban. Trump makes it clear that the repeal of Roe v. Wade allows states to monitor all aspects of women’s reproductive health care. I’m fighting to pass legislation that would enshrine a woman’s right to birth control, IVF and abortion care because politicians should not be allowed to get between a woman and her doctor.

On the U.S. transition to clean energy: We see the impacts of climate change in New Jersey every day. Higher seas, a sinking shoreline, stronger storms, and more flash flooding. As Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, I authored key provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest investment in fighting the climate crisis and investing in renewable energy in world history. This comprehensive legislation would help the United States reach the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. We achieve this by cutting pollution from the power, industrial, transportation, and building sectors. I will continue the fight to enact laws that fight climate change while strengthening our economy.

On ensuring free and fair elections and the transition of power: We need to pass the For the People Act, which is the anti-corruption and clean elections reform package Democrats are fighting for. The bill expands access to the ballot box, restores the Voting Rights Act, and ensures American elections are decided by American voters by strengthening federal support of voting system security.

On the U.S. role in foreign conflicts: We cannot stand on the sidelines as Russia, Iran, and China undermine freedom and democracy around the world. It is unconscionable that Congressional Republicans blocked military assistance to Ukraine and Israel, as well as humanitarian assistance for Gaza, for months and months as they follow Donald Trump’s lead as a Putin apologist. In April, Congress passed a strong package to replenish global humanitarian aid and security assistance for Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo Pacific. The U.S. must continue to support our allies while working to reduce the harm and suffering of innocent civilians around the world.

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Age: 36

Hometown: Matawan

Occupation: Business Development

Personal background: Grew up in Matawan, N.J., went to Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft N.J. and then on to St. Joseph’’s University in Philadelphia to study food marketing. I now work running a food processing plant in Lakewood, N.J.

Political background: No political experience, I am a dynamic leader in the business field. We need to run this country like a business – no more deficits, cut the red tape, cut the bureaucracy. Let’s serve our people and not our own self interests with accountability first and foremost.

Reason for running: Upset at the direction of the U.S. and the world. Wars around the world, career politicians getting richer, middle class getting squeezed, taxes are too high, government not held accountable for spending. Veterans not being taken care of.

Biggest issue: Taking care of Americans first, securing our border, common sense energy policies, term limits. Allowing small businesses to prosper, creating a robust economy and good paying jobs so that Americans can afford to live and enjoy this amazing country.

On the federal government’s role in women’s reproductive health: They would not play any role. It’s a state level decision.

On the U.S. transition to clean energy: We need to transition to clean energy, but that does not happen overnight. The rush to decarbonize haphazardly will have disastrous effects. Nuclear energy is clean and efficient. Wind and solar need to be further scrutinized for the effects their parts and materials, components, origins, and labor have on the world. (i.e mines for lithium used in batteries)

On ensuring free and fair elections and the transition of power: Election Day should be a federal holiday. In-person voting (with medical, traveling, or military exceptions) with voter ID required. We are one of the few countries in the entire world that doesn’t require ID to vote.

On the U.S. role in foreign conflicts: Support for allies is crucial but we need to hold the recipients and corresponding countries accountable with audits. If we provide aid, we need to know what they spent that money on. We need to take care of Americans and our domestic issues prior to giving aid to other countries.

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Age: 42

Hometown: Piscataway

Occupation: Law enforcement/police officer

Personal background: I was born in Staten Island, NY and moved to Piscataway, NJ in 2011. I have an Associates Degree in English from Borough of Manhattan Community College and a Bachelors Degree in Communications from CUNY School of Professional Studies. I am currently a police officer and have been for the past 21 years. I am the proud father of a 11 year old boy, 4 year old girl, and 7 month old girl.

Political background: I don’t have much of a “Political Background.” I have volunteered in the past with the Red Cross and Meals on Wheels. I covered political events as an intern with the Staten Island Advance newspaper while in school.

Reason for running: The people of New Jersey deserve real and authentic representation in Washington. I am not a career politician nor am I bought for by large corporations. I am just a regular working class resident who understands the daily struggles most people are currently going through.

Biggest issue: Cut Taxes, Limit Federal Government, Protect Democracy.

On the federal government’s role in women’s reproductive health: These issues should be debated and voted on at the state level.

On the U.S. transition to clean energy: The federal government should limit its role in clean energy regulations. It should be done at the state and local levels.

On ensuring free and fair elections and the transition of power: Equal and Fair coverage by media outlets and Voter ID.

On the U.S. role in foreign conflicts: Untied States should avoid foreign intervention unless asked to mediate conflicts by all parties involved. No money should be sent to aide in conflicts other than for humanitarian purposes (food, medical aide).

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Age: 66

Hometown: Piscataway

Occupation: Retired

Personal background: I am a retired systems engineer turned political activist. I have over 30 years of experience analyzing complex systems such as our severely dysfunctional political system.

I was born in Summit, NJ and raised in North Plainfield, graduating from North Plainfield High School. I went on to major in Operations Research at Columbia University where I earned a Bachelor’s degree. I also studied Industrial and Systems Engineering at Rutgers.

My professional career spanned four decades working as a contractor in the telecom industry for AT&T/Bell Labs and Ericsson/Telcordia Technologies. My work on complex socio-technical systems led me to develop an interest in politics.

Political background: Upon retiring, I became an activist, joining the Piscataway Progressive Democratic organization where I ran for Middlesex County Clerk.

Seeing that Ranked-Choice Voting is the way to reverse toxic political polarization I helped co-found Voter Choice NJ, an organization focused on bringing Ranked-Choice Voting to the Garden State.

Now, having grown disillusioned with the Democratic Party, I have joined forces with the Green Party.

Reason for running: The primary reason I am running for office this year is to bring attention to the fact that Frank Pallone has supported sending offensive military weapons to Israel even as they attempt to ethnically cleanse Gaza. I do this as part of the “Green 13”. Thirteen individuals who are running for the 12 Congressional seats and the US Senate.

There are several other reasons I run for political office. One is to set an example for others, hoping to inspire them to also run for office. Another is to bring attention to Ranked-Choice Voting.

Biggest issue: The US complicity in the genocide and ethnic cleansing being carried out by Israel in Gaza, the West Bank, and the rest of Palestine.

We must stop the flow of weapons to Israel.

On the federal government’s role in women’s reproductive health: The federal government should ensure that decisions on women’s reproductive health are medical decisions made between the woman and her doctor.

On the U.S. transition to clean energy: Enact the Green New Deal.

– Achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions through a fair and just transition for all communities and workers

– Create millions of good, high-wage jobs and ensure prosperity and economic security for all people of the United States

– Invest in the infrastructure and industry of the United States to sustainably meet the challenges of the 21st century

– Secure for all people of the United States for generations to come: clean air and water; climate and community resiliency; healthy food; access to nature; and a sustainable environment

– Promote justice and equity by stopping current, preventing future, and repairing historic oppression of indigenous peoples, communities of color, migrant communities, deindustrialized communities, depopulated rural communities, the poor, low-income workers, women, the elderly, the unhoused, people with disabilities, and youth (“frontline and vulnerable communities”)

On ensuring free and fair elections and the transition of power: For free and fair elections in general we need to enact Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV). The cast-vote records generated in RCV provide a level of transparency and auditability not present in our first-past-the-post electoral system.

To ensure a smooth transition of Presidential power we need to protect the Capitol from rioters when the Electoral College results are being tallied.

On the U.S. role in foreign conflicts: We should not be providing offensive military weapons to Israel. We should be ensuring humanitarian aid is being provided to folks in Gaza and Ukraine.

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