The Gubernatorial elections are getting closer every day so here is a brief guide to the candidates.
* Denotes someone who has not held elected office
Democrats:
Bill Brennen*
Activist and retired firefighter
Issues:
$15/hour minimum wage, renewable energy and environmental protection, Marijuana legalization, ending the war on drugs, income inequality, standing up to governmental abuse, pension reform, repairing infrastructure, modernizing public transportation, campaign finance reform
Jim Johnson*
Former US Treasury official during Clinton Administration, former federal prosecutor in New York, and an attorney
Issues:
Rebuilding the economy, reviving trust in the government, revitalizing our neighborhoods
http://jimjohnson4governor.com/
Raymond Lesniak
Served in NJ State Senate since 1983, representing the 20th Legislative District
Issues:
Animal protection, criminal justice reform, cutting waste in government spending, environmental protection, higher education, affordable housing, income inequality, LGBT rights, making New Jersey affordable, public education, public employee pension and healthcare benefits, reduce property taxes, women’s rights
Phil Murphy*
Former US Ambassador to Germany, former finance chairman for the Democratic National Committee, former Goldman Sachs banking executive
Issues:
The “Murphy Economic Agenda,” getting tough on gun violence, making the economy work for all of us, ending the era of high-stakes testing, NJ Transit, putting our state’s finances back on track, creating a new retirement plan for employees of small businesses, supporting women’s rights, lowering the cost of college education, affordable and accessible home ownership, building a green economy and protecting our environment, healthcare, battling addiction, transportation infrastructure, LGBTQ equality, tearing down barriers to voting, protecting immigrant rights, criminal justice reform, investing in NJ, supporting working people
John Wisniewski
Served in New Jersey General Assembly since 1996 representing the 19th Legislative District, veteran attorney, former state Democratic Party chair
Issues:
Affordable housing, fully funding k-12 education, tuition-free college, climate emergency, electoral reform, 100% pro-choice
Mark Zinna
Tenafly councilman
Issues:
Legalizing marijuana, stopping Pilgrim Pipeline, political reform in NJ, healthcare reform, the pension problem, affordable college tuition, transportation
Republicans:
Jack Ciattarelli
Served in NJ General Assembly since December 2011, representing the 16th legislative district, former Somerset County freeholder, the owner of a medical publishing company, certified public accountant
Issues:
School funding reform, tax reform, employee benefits reform, streamline government, bipartisan communication
Kim Guadagno
Lieutenant governor under Christie, former Monmouth County sheriff, former federal prosecutor
Issues:
Audit Trenton, lower property taxes, improving education, growing jobs
Steven Rogers
Elected to Nutley, NJ Board of Commissioners (City Council), former advisor to the Trump campaign, former police officer, former
Issues:
Term limits, national security, homeland security
http://www.rogersforamerica.us/
Joseph Rullo*
Former member of Ortley Beach and Toms River First Aid Squads, former volunteer fireman, Ocean County College instructor
Issues:
Reduce property taxes, protecting the second amendment, help for veterans, end current standardized testing, crackdown on illegal immigration, increase punishments for heroin dealers, employee pension and benefit reform
Hirsh Singh*
Executive in the aerospace and defense industry
Issues:
Lower taxes, overhaul education, repair transportation and infrastructure, criminal justice reform, modernize drug laws, medical malpractice and tort reform
http://singhfornewjersey.com/vote/
Third Parties and Independents:
Peter Rohrman*
Libertarian nominee, Infantry Platoon Sergeant in Marine Corps, director for large internet service provider for 10 years
Issues:
Education reform, cut taxes and eliminate wasteful spending, end corporate welfare and bailouts, defend 2nd amendment, legalize marijuana and enact criminal justice reform
Seth Kaper-Dale*
Green Party nominee, Pastor of the Reformed Church of Highland Park
Issues:
Women’s Rights, combat child hunger and homelessness, implement resources for undocumented immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees, prison reform, Black Lives Matter, respect for all religions, especially Islam, LGBTQ rights and protections, environmental protection, fix public schooling, encouragement of unions and $15 minimum wage, gun control, tax reform
https://www.kaperdaleforgovernor.com/
Jon Lancelot*
Independent candidate, formerly worked for defense contractor Lockheed Martin, political activist
Issues:
Clean water initiatives, renewable energy economy, prison reform and mental health initiatives, workers pensions, tax relief, modernization of public transportation, public housing for NJ residents in need, single payer healthcare system, open primaries for all local, state, and federal elections
Information taken from candidates’ websites with some background information on candidates from: http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/04/your_guide_so_far_to_the_2017_nj_governors_race.html
Additional information about candidates can be found on individual candidates’ websites
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons