Sen. Joseph Kyrillos has launched a campaign against incumbent U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez to take over the seat and represent New Jersey. Although virtually unknown and with fewer dollars at his disposal than Menendez, Kyrillos said he believes he will be able to launch a viable campaign and has a chance to win.
Kyrillos said now is not the right time to raise interest rates on student loans because of the difficult economic situation graduates face. He said both Democrats and Republicans must work together to come up with a solution to the issue.
New Jersey can serve as a model for politicians working together from different parties, according to Kyrillos. “Trenton’s a mini laboratory for what Washington could be,” he said. “More often than not we’re working together to find common ground so that’s how we’ve balanced our budgets.”
Kyrillos said he had no problem with President Barack Obama’s visit to Afghanistan since the country is at war and there are troops overseas. “What I don’t like is any kind of politicization from both sides,” he said. He added that he doesn’t want to see any political timetables for withdrawal of troops.
Even though Menendez has more money than Kyrillos, Kyrillos said, “We’re going to have enough money to run a viable campaign.” He said his camp has raised nearly $2.5 million for the race.
Kyrillos said while Menendez is more well-known, he’s not intimidated. “I am unknown and that’s the good news for me,” Kyrillos said. “I’ve got a lot of room to grow over the next six months. By election day, I will be known but my opponent has been a 20-year member of Congress, seven years in U.S. Senate. He’s had a great infrastructure at his disposal to work on behalf of the people and make a name for himself with accomplishments and achievements. So it’s very telling that people don’t know him. That he doesn’t have that type of record and that’s why I have a chance to win this race.”
When asked what his first action as a U.S. senator would be if elected, Kyrillos said he would reach across the aisle and work with whoever was president to deal with the economy, job creation and the debt crisis.
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