State of New Jersey Archives: on Principles & Values


Steve Fulop: Youngest elected official on the Jersey City council

In 2004, Steve ran against Democratic Senator Robert Menendez. Although that primary campaign was unsuccessful, Steve's enthusiasm for the political process led to a run for City Council in 2005. His upset victory over the incumbent Ward E councilman made Steven the youngest elected official on the Jersey City council and the third youngest in the history of Jersey City.

For the first two years on the City Council, Steven donated his council salary to the York Street Project, a non-profit that helps women and children break the cycle of poverty. During that first term, he also earned both his master's in Business Administration from New York University's Stern School of Business and his master's in Public Administration from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs

Source: 2017 N.J. Gubernatorial website, SteveFulopForGovernor.com Mar 1, 2016

Steve Fulop: Son of immigrants; grandson of Holocaust survivors

The son of immigrants, Steven Fulop grew up in Edison, NJ. Like many kids of small business owners, he worked alongside his father at the family's Newark delicatessen. His mother--the daughter of Holocaust survivors--worked at an immigration services office, helping others gain a piece of the American Dream.
Source: 2017 N.J. Gubernatorial website, SteveFulopForGovernor.com Mar 1, 2016

Cory Booker: Money to cities is ok: we're one state with one destiny

Lonegan said, "You may not be able to swim in the Passaic river, but it's probably because of all the bodies floating around of shooting victims in your city."

"Oh my God," Booker said.

In another exchange, Lonegan said the state has poured countless dollars "into a big black hole in Newark."

Booker called Lonegan's tone "insulting" and, in a theme he repeated throughout the debate, said Lonegan needed to stop "talking down to New Jersey's cities."

"We're one state with one destiny," Booker said

Source: Newark Star-Ledger coverage of 2013 N.J. Senate debate Oct 9, 2013

Joe Kyrillos: If you think things are just fine, choose my opponent

Joe Kyrillos has appealed broadly to voter frustration with Washington. The incumbent, Senator Robert Menendez, responded that his Republican opponent supported tax cuts for the wealthy. Kyrillos blamed Democrats in Congress for 43 straight months of unemployment above 8 percent.

Kyrillos's campaign has appealed broadly to voter frustration with Washington. "If you think things are just fine, that things are O.K. here in New Jersey and across the land, well, then you'll choose my opponent again," he said. "But if you think that unemployment doubling under his watch, the deficit quadrupling, our national debt doubling is unacceptable," he added, "then you're going to make a change." (National unemployment figures reported on Friday showed the rate dropping below 8%, to 7.8%.)

Echoing Mitt Romney, the Republican presidential nominee, Mr. Kyrillos added: "I believe in America. I believe we can do better."

Source: Associated Press on 2012 N.J. Senate debate Oct 5, 2012

Joe Kyrillos: Introduced to his wife by Gov. Christie

Kyrillos, 52, comes from well-to-do Monmouth County. He served four years in the Assembly before winning his Senate seat in 1992, and served as chairman of the state's Republican Party from 2001 to 2004.

Former Gov. Chris Christie introduced Kyrillos to the woman he would marry. He has been a loyal soldier for the governor, supporting a property-tax cap and initiatives to reverse the effects of a court ruling that requires the state to help equalize spending between rich and poor school districts.

Source: Associated Press on 2012 N.J. Senate debate Oct 5, 2012

Robert Menendez: Elected mayor of Union City at 32

Both men have long histories in state party politics. Menendez comes out of the rough and tumble of Hudson County, which is overwhelmingly Democratic. He was elected mayor of Union City at 32, and later to the State Assembly, State Senate and Congress, before being appointed in 2006 to his seat by Jon S. Corzine, his predecessor, who had been elected governor. He helped his party narrowly hold on to its Senate majority against the Republican headwinds of 2010.
Source: Associated Press on 2012 N.J. Senate debate Oct 5, 2012

Chris Christie: The New Jersey Comeback: stop blaming; start building

Today, I am proud to report that the New Jersey Comeback has begun.

How do we know it has begun? Just look around you. In the last two years, we have come together to address the mess that was our budget. The decline, deficits, and departures that plagued our State just two years ago have been reversed. The budget is balanced. Our unemployment rate is no longer going up, it is coming down. Job growth has been restored--in the private sector, where we want it. New Jersey is back.

We have restrained the growth of property taxes. We have put our pensions on a more stable and sustainable footing. And in doing all this, we have restored confidence and pride in NJ.

For New Jersey, the corner has been turned. Today, the debate is not about who to blame for our failures, it is how to build on our successes. It is no longer about how to deal with devastating decline; it is now about how to push New Jersey even further ahead. To be better than we thought we could be.

Source: N.J. 2012 State of the State Address Jan 17, 2012

Dick Zimmer: Lautenberg is too old to serve another six-year term

Zimmer challenged the age and effectiveness of incumbent Lautenberg, saying he’s come to believe that 84-year-old Democrat is too old to serve another six-year term. “I’ve reluctantly come to the conclusion he is too old to return to the Senate, because he has not been willing to run the kind of campaign that is required to show you are up to the job,” the 64-year-old said.

Lautenberg disagreed, saying, “age has nothing to do with whether or not you are effective. It’s well-known I produce regularly. What counts is your knowledge, your experience and the respect your colleagues have for you.“

Lautenberg retired from the Senate after four terms, but returned after Bob Torricelli dropped out of the race in 2002. Zimmer said that since Lautenberg’s colleagues did not restore his prior seniority, he remains one of the more junior members of the Senate.

Lautenberg said he chairs two important subcommittees, on environment and commerce, and that he’s earned the respect of colleagues.

Source: 2008 N.J. Senate Debate reported in Gulf South Free Press Nov 1, 2008

Frank Lautenberg: Age has nothing to do with whether or not you are effective

Zimmer challenged the age and effectiveness of incumbent Lautenberg, saying he’s come to believe that 84-year-old Democrat is too old to serve another six-year term. “I’ve reluctantly come to the conclusion he is too old to return to the Senate, because he has not been willing to run the kind of campaign that is required to show you are up to the job,” the 64-year-old said.

Lautenberg disagreed, saying, “age has nothing to do with whether or not you are effective. It’s well-known I produce regularly. What counts is your knowledge, your experience and the respect your colleagues have for you.“

Lautenberg retired from the Senate after four terms, but returned after Bob Torricelli dropped out of the race in 2002. Zimmer said that since Lautenberg’s colleagues did not restore his prior seniority, he remains one of the more junior members of the Senate.

Lautenberg said he chairs two important subcommittees, on environment and commerce, and that he’s earned the respect of colleagues.

Source: 2008 N.J. Senate Debate reported in Gulf South Free Press Nov 1, 2008

  • The above quotations are from State of New Jersey Politicians: Archives.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Principles & Values.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
2020 Presidential contenders on Principles & Values:
  Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN)
Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
Please consider a donation to OnTheIssues.org!
Click for details -- or send donations to:
1770 Mass Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140
E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org
(We rely on your support!)

Page last updated: Oct 13, 2021