Congressman-elect MacArthur says improving the economy is his priority

Following Tuesday’s elections, New Jersey will be sending three new lawmakers to Congress. One of them is promising he will be more conciliator than noisemaker.

Tom MacArthur will replace Jon Ruynan who decided not to seek re-election in New Jersey’s 3rd Congressional District.

The Republican said he intends to focus on what the federal government can do to improve the economy.

“I think all of the issues that face us as a nation, be it health care or immigration or Social Security or the Joint Base [McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst] or the many things we’ve talked about over these months — they all require the foundation of a strong economy,” he said. “And we just have too many people out of work or underemployed.”

MacArthur says he’ll work with lawmakers in both parties and believes he will find ways to be effective as a freshman congressman.

“You go in with a sense of resolve, but also a sense of humility. I’m not going to be a noisemaker,” he said. “I’m going to work with people in both parties.”

The other new members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation are Democrats: Donald Norcross in South Jersey’s 1st District and Bonnie Watson Coleman in the 12th District. She will be the first African-American woman to represent the state in Congress.