Carl Lewis goes for electoral gold

New Jersey state senator Dawn Addiego may now have a real race on her hands.  Today in Mt. Holly, legendary Olympian Carl Lewis leapt into politics announcing he’s running for the Eighth District seat.  Carl Lewis said he knows he’s not a career politician, but he wants to make New Jersey affordable for families, improve education, and help seniors remain in their homes.

“If you’re raised in a wonderful community in a great area by wonderful parents, and family and friends, and then you go off and you take on the world and see the world – bring that information back and come home,” he said.  “Thats why I am here to announce that I am going to run for state Senate in the 8th District.  And when I run, as you see my record, I run to win!”Lewis said he won’t settle for the medals he’s earned, and he doesn’t want New Jersey residents to settle either.

“We’re getting into a culture of mediocrity,” said Lewis, “where people think its okay to be average.  Where you dont push yourself beyond yourself to be better than yourself.  You just think its okay.  Its hard so let me stop.”

Lewis, who plans to run as a Democrat, vowed to be an independent voice for the people.  Then he ran off to his other job – as a high school track coach.

Republican Dawn Addiego, who currently holds the seat, was sworn in as the Senator for the 8th legislative district in December 2010.  Prior to her legislative service, Senator Addiego served eight years on the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders, and was Board Director in 2002.