By Brenda Flanagan
NJ Today
The table may have looked chock full of Senate candidates. On the end, you’ve got one Republican, plus a Democratic triple play of politicians. But the political forum’s actually missing the two major players.
“Of course the interesting thing is, the people who are not here are the ones who appeared to be leading in the polls,” said Stephen Levine.
Levine’s miffed that his forum got stiffed by both frontrunners — Cory Booker, the top fundraiser, Democrat celebrity mayor of Newark; and Republican Steve Lonegan, former mayor of Bogota and odds-on favorite in the upcoming special primary.
“The two candidates who are not here never responded one way or the other,” Levine said.
Levine organized the candidates’ night for the Somerset Run Civics Association, mostly seniors from several retirement communities.
Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver says New Jersey should send a woman to Washington. “When you are dealing and deliberating with diversified issues, it’s important to have diversified points of view,” she said.
Rush Holt emphasizes scientific expertise. “It’d be good if the Senate had at least one scientist. I think that might be helpful in dealing with energy,” he said.
Congressman Frank Pallone reminded the audience that he worked closely with Frank Lautenberg, and that he’s been endorsed by the late senator’s family. “I believe that he was a person who worked hard, who didn’t care about the publicity, who wasn’t looking to hang out with celebrities and be on talk shows, but rather that just wanted to get things done,” he said.
Dr. Alieta Eck, the sole Republican, stood apart on the issues. “I’m pro-life. I’m a physician. I care about the unborn, the born and I care about the elderly,” she said.
Afterwards, the candidates mingled with audience members. But getting stood up by Booker and Lonegan didn’t make the frontrunners any friends.
“Not even the courtesy of sending some kind of a note saying, ‘I’m sorry. I apologize,’ whatever,” said Rocalyn Sherman.
“Having heard firsthand from candidates who cared enough to come out, I think it’s going to sway some opinion,” said Maurice Sherman.
We asked both Booker and Lonegan’s campaigns why they didn’t show up. Booker’s staff blamed a schedule conflict. Lonegan’s e-mailed, “Mayor Lonegan was not invited to the forum in Franklin.” Levine says that’s not true.
“I received no information whatsoever back from them,” Levine said.
And these voters say they’ll remember that when they go to the polls.