2018 New Jersey Senate race: debates and news coverage

OnTheIssues.org excerpts:  (click on issues for details)

Abortion     Bob Hugin: Pro-choice, but no late-term abortions unless maternal risk.     Robert Menendez: Yes affordable contraceptives; no unneeded restrictions.     Bob Hugin: Against late term abortions unless mother's life is at risk.     Rich Pezzullo: Opposes using tax dollars for abortions, wants regulations.

Budget & Economy     Rich Pezzullo: Balance your budget and provide affordable services.

Civil Rights     Bob Hugin: Supports gay marriage.     Robert Menendez: Supports gay marriage.     Bob Hugin: Regrets ban on women at 1970s Princeton eating clubs.     Bob Hugin: My kids taught me to be more tolerant of gays than in 1970s.

Corporations     Robert Menendez: Keep CFPB Financial Protection; keep Consumer Advisory Board.     Bob Hugin: As a job creator he'll employ new policies to spur growth.     Rich Pezzullo: Government shouldn't bail out businesses that can't succeed.

Drugs     Bob Hugin: Decriminalize pot in small amounts but not recreational use.     Robert Menendez: Give marijuana businesses access to banking services.

Education     Bob Hugin: Supports expanded charter schools.     Robert Menendez: Vouchers drain money from public schools.     Robert Menendez: Supports making 2 years of community college free.

Energy & Oil     Bob Hugin: Climate change is human-caused, but Paris Accord is unfair.     Robert Menendez: World must cut greenhouse gas emissions, or reject science.     Bob Hugin: Energy independence: solar & wind, plus domestic oil & gas.     Rich Pezzullo: Keep energy costs low by opposing radical Green agenda.

Environment     Bob Hugin: Protect our environment in a way that's fair to businesses.     Robert Menendez: Don't let the EPA get undermined.     Bob Hugin: More work is needed for safe, clean environment.

Foreign Policy     Bob Hugin: Supports Israel and recognizes Jerusalem as its capital.     Rich Pezzullo: As our ally, we must support Israel's right to defend itself.     Rich Pezzullo: Oppose all UN treaties that weaken our sovereignty.

Free Trade     Bob Hugin: In the end, tariffs will get a better deal with China.     Robert Menendez: Tariffs on China drive allies into arms of our adversaries.

Government Reform     Robert Menendez: Citizens United rolled back decades of progress.     Robert Menendez: Do everything to protect all Americans' right to vote.

Gun Control     Bob Hugin: Expanded background checks; bar people with mental illnesses.     Robert Menendez: Universal background checks & assault weapons ban.     Rich Pezzullo: Opposes new federal gun laws; high marks from NRA.     Rich Pezzullo: More conservative justices on federal bench.

Health Care     Bob Hugin: Lobbied to block cheaper generic alternatives.     Bob Hugin: Repeal ObamaCare but keep preexisting conditions.     Robert Menendez: Repealing ObamaCare would hike premiums & hurt the disabled.     Bob Hugin: AdWatch: Raised drug prices in US while lowering them abroad.     Bob Hugin: As CEO, paid $280M drug settlement.     Bob Hugin: Will use his 20 years in healthcare to craft new reforms.     Rich Pezzullo: Repeal ObamaCare; it's a dangerous proposal.

Homeland Security     Bob Hugin: Syrian airstrikes no "kabuki show" to our brave military.     Rich Pezzullo: Spying on citizens not needed against criminals & terrorists.

Immigration     Bob Hugin: Path to citizenship for people building a productive life.     Robert Menendez: DREAMer kids have grown up as Americans.     Bob Hugin: Fully supports pathway to citizenship for innocent DREAMers.     Rich Pezzullo: Opposes pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants.

Jobs     Robert Menendez: Raise minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10/hour.

Principles & Values     Robert Menendez: Severely admonished by Senate for political favors.     Robert Menendez: Admonished by Senate Ethics Committee for accepting gifts.

Social Security     Robert Menendez: Opposes privatization of Social Security.     Bob Hugin: Blasts opponent for voting to raise taxes on Social Security.

Tax Reform     Bob Hugin: Trump tax cuts delivered real relief & job creation.     Robert Menendez: Trump tax cuts was giant hit job on middle class.     Bob Hugin: Opposes new $10K cap on deductions for state & local taxes.

Technology     Robert Menendez: Net Neutrality avoids higher prices.

War & Peace     Robert Menendez: Is Trump acting for Russia and Turkey or willfully blind?     Chris Murphy: Oppose sale of precision guided bombs to Saudi Arabia.     Robert Menendez: Oppose bombs to Saudi Arabia; no national security emergency.     Bob Hugin: Iran used nuclear deal to export terrorism.     Robert Menendez: Selling arms to Saudi Arabia makes crisis in Yemen.     Robert Menendez: Grave mistake to walk away from Iran nuke deal without plan.

Welfare & Poverty     Bob Hugin: Non-profit advocate for needs of homeless families.     Rich Pezzullo: Make major cuts in welfare "giveaway" programs.

Click for quotations from other sources by: Bob Hugin Republican candidate for New Jersey U. S. Senator New Jersey Chris Murphy Democratic Challenger Connecticut Rich Pezzullo Republican candidate for U. S. Senator (withdrew) New Jersey Robert Menendez Democratic Jr Senator; previously Representative New Jersey