2016 New Jersey voter guide
(gagarych/BigStock)
N.J. Races:
Ballot question: authorize two new casinos in northern New Jersey
Yes vote means:
Supporters say it would generate more revenue for the state and create many jobs.
If the casinos are successful, $200 million each year would go to Atlantic City to offset the expected drop in business there.
No vote means:
Casinos would only be located in Atlantic City.
Ballot question: Direct revenues from gas tax to transportation project
Yes vote means:
It would create a constitutional mandate that all of New Jersey’s gas tax revenue be used for transportation related projects and not for general budget expenses.
The money would create a permanent dedicated revenue source for the Transportation Trust Fund.
This would not increase taxes.
No vote means:
Some of the gas tax revenues can continued to be used for non-transportation related projects.
1st Congressional District
No Photo Available
Michael Berman (American Independents)
Need to know:
Ran as an Independent in 2014, but lost to Donald Norcross.
(Emma Lee/WHYY)
Donald Norcross (D)
Need to know:
Incumbent candidate, elected in 2014 to fill in the seat of former Rep. Rob Andrews (D).
Wants to increase the number of businesses in South Jersey.
In favor of “no fly, no buy” (people on the no-fly list cannot purchase guns).
Supports making community college tuition free.
In favor of medical marijuana.
(bobpattersonforcongress.com)
Bob Patterson (R)
Need to know:
Wants to make South Jersey a “manufacturing powerhouse” by investing in construction and medical research projects.
Wants to build a wall along the US’ southern border.
Supports universal health care and wants to lower costs by investing more in medical research.
(Bill Sihr for Congress Facebook page)
Bill Sihr (L)
Need to know:
Supports federal income tax credit for all full-time teachers.
Wants to place term limits on members of Congress.
Wants to allow people to contest being on the no-fly list.
(Scot John Tomaszewski for U.S. Congress District 1-Google+)
Scot John Tomaszewski (We Deserve Better)
Need to know:
“I am a man of the people, working for the people.”
2nd Congressional District
(beechwoodforoffice.org)
Eric Beechwood (People’s Independent Progressive)
Need to know:
Wants to expand social security benefits.
Wants to provide more government funding for art and after-school programs.
In favor of legalizing marijuana.
Supports universal health care and the expansion of mental health and addiction resources.
(coleforcongress.com)
Dave Cole (D)
Need to know:
Wants to raise the federal minimum wage.
Wants to invest in infrastructure to repair bridges, roads, and schools, as well as create jobs.
Would give tax incentives to businesses and establish a work-share program to stimulate South Jersey’s economy.
Supports teachers’ collective bargaining rights.
No Photo Available
Steven Fenichel (Representing the 99%)
Need to know:
Doctor from Ocean City.
(francoforcongress.com)
Gabriel Brian Franco (For Political Revolution)
Need to know:
Wants to end corporate welfare by undoing fair trade agreements and bringing more jobs to the United States.
Wants to amend the Voting Rights Act and end political gerrymandering.
(James Keenan for Congress Facebook page)
James Keenan (Make Government Work)
Need to know:
(Emma Lee/WHYY)
Frank LoBiondo (R)
Need to know:
Incumbent candidate, first elected in 1995.
Favors absolute gun ownership.
Against legalization of marijuana.
Wants to privatize Social Security.
(johnforcongressnj2.com)
John Ordille (L)
Need to know:
Wants to end personal income tax and get rid of the IRS.
Supports legalization of marijuana.
Wants to bring U.S. military home and use just the National Guard to protect the border.
Against gun control, favors protecting all constitutional rights.
3rd Congressional District
(berlinskiforcongress.com)
Lawrence Berlinski Jr. (L)
Need to know:
Wants to abolish welfare and promote private charities.
“No to socialism and one-world government.”
Wants to pull out of international wars and affairs.
(Emma Lee/WHYY)
Frederick John LaVergne (D)
Need to know:
Supports funding infrastructure projects.
Supports universal health care.
(Emma Lee/WHYY)
Tom MacArthur (R)
Need to know:
Incumbent candidate.
Supports ending the estate tax and lowering rates to encourage economic growth.
Wants to repeal Affordable Care Act and implement tort reform.
Wants to implement teacher tenure reform.
4th Congressional District
No photo available
Jeremy Marcus (L)
Need to know:
No information available.
(phillipsonforcongress.com)
Lorna Phillipson (D)
Need to know:
Wants to make colleges and vocational and skill training more affordable.
Would invest in infrastructure to improve roads, bridges, and public transportation.
Supports student loan fairness.
(Hank Schroeder Facebook)
Hank Schroeder (Economic Growth)
Need to know:
Ran for the U.S. Senate in 2014, and lost to Cory Booker.
From Sea Girt, NJ.
Works in the hospitality business and at a local grocery store.
(smithfornj.org/)
Chris Smith (R)
Need to know:
Incumbent candidate.
Has voted against foreign trade agreements.
Has signed bills that help fund veterans’ education, health, and living costs.
Supports expanding health care research.
12th Congressional District
(michaelbollentin.com)
Michael Bollentin (We the People)
Need to know:
Pro-choice.
Wants to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
Supports banning privatized prisons and decriminalizing marijuana.
In favor of repealing laws against the homeless.
In favor of living wages.
(watsoncoleman.house.gov)
Bonnie Watson Coleman (D)
Need to know:
Incumbent candidate.
Wants to modernize infrastructure to create jobs and boost the economy.
Supports increasing the minimum wage.
Supports making education more affordable and believes children should be exposed to vocational and technical skill training earlier.
In favor of the Affordable Care Act.
No photo available
Thomas Fitzpatrick (L)
Need to know:
No information available.
No photo available
Robert Edward Forchion Jr. (Legalize Marijuana)
Need to know:
Known as “NJ Weedman.”
Cannabis activist.
Supports legalizing marijuana.
No photo available
Robert Shapiro (Teddy Roosevelt Progressive)
Need to know:
Favors closing tax loopholes and wants to discourage corporations from outsourcing jobs.
Would not deport undocumented immigrants, but supports stricter regulations for them to achieve citizenship.
Wants to restrict ownership of semi-automatic weapons.
Supports health insurance sales across state lines.
Opposes the privatization of Social Security.
(Steven J. Uccio For Congress Facebook)
Steve Uccio (R)
Need to know:
Supports Rand Paul’s “Flat and Fair Tax” plan, which would implement a standard 14.5 percent income tax and get rid of corporate welfare.
“Socially tolerant and fiscally responsible.” Would want to shut down the TSA, NSA, DEA and Department of Education.
Rather than increasing minimum wage, favors eliminating business tax incentives and not outsourcing jobs.
Supports stronger border protection and allowing illegal immigrants to apply for citizenship.
Wants to legalize sports betting.
Favors legalizing marijuana.
(welzergreencampaign.org)
Steven Welzer (Green Party)
Need to know:
Favors increasing the minimum wage to $15.
Wants to ban semi-automatic weapons, and supports background checks.
Favors single-payer health care legislation.
Against charter schools, and wants to increase funding for daycare, preschool, full-time kindergarten, and after-school activities.
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