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| 2024 Election: | Joe Biden's book | Kamala Harris' book | Donald Trump's book | JD Vance's book | 2024 Senate Debates |
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| Book Reviews | |||||||||||||||
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(from Amazon.com) | |||||||||||||||
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(click a book cover for a review or other books by or about the presidency from Amazon.com) |
from Past and present Governor candidates from New Jersey (number of quotes indicated): |
| OnTheIssues.org excerpts: (click on issues for details) |
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Abortion Kim Guadagno: Supports women's healthcare; pro-choice. Seth Kaper-Dale: Supports ful range of reproductive services. Doug Steinhardt: Conservative, pro-life, Lifetime NRA member. Tammy Murphy: NJ a safe haven state protecting reproductive health care. Jack Ciattarelli: Oppose the so-called "Reproductive Freedom Act" . Jon Bramnick: Pro-choice but doesn't support late-term abortions. Josh Gottheimer: Protect reproductive freedom, keep IVF accessible. Mikie Sherrill: Enshrine the right to an abortion in the state constitution. Ras Baraka: Anti-Roe Court would rather control women's bodies. Stephen Sweeney: Prime sponsor of the "Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act". Steve Fulop: Created program to meet reproductive healthcare needs. |
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Budget & Economy Jack Ciattarelli: 5% to 10% reduction in the state government workforce. Jack Ciattarelli: Lower property taxes, grow the economy. Jack Ciattarelli: Pandemic restaurant restrictions devastated the economy. Seth Kaper-Dale: Create state bank to invest in economy. Mikie Sherrill: Provide financing to repurpose infrastructure for housing. Edward Durr: Our Government has become too large. Jon Bramnick: Overturn the recently enacted housing mandates. Mikie Sherrill: I will tackle congestion and our aging infrastructure. Stephen Sweeney: State needs a stable and predictable funding process. Steve Fulop: Ensure dedicated funding for Affordable Housing Trust Fund. |
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Civil Rights Donny DiFrancesco: Intolerance for racial profiling. Jack Ciattarelli: Prohibits discrimination & harassment among campaign. Kim Guadagno: Won't criticize Republican with Confederate flag. Kim Guadagno: Comfortable with LGBT but won't criticize ban. Phil Murphy: Strong advocate for equal treatment of LGBTQ community. Seth Kaper-Dale: Panel to recommend reparations for African-Americans. Edward Durr: Would restrict teaching sexual orientation/gender identity. Jack Ciattarelli: DEI is affirmative action on steroids. Ras Baraka: Reiterated the need for LGBTQ protections in Newark schools. |
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Corporations Jack Ciattarelli: 10-year phase out of the corporate business tax. Jack Ciattarelli: Adopt Delaware's bylaws; cut corporate tax rate in half. Kim Guadagno: Work with businesses to cut state regulations in half. Seth Kaper-Dale: End estate tax and corporate welfare tax credits. Tammy Murphy: Helped launch investment in female-led startup companies. |
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Crime Bonnie Watson Coleman: Provide prison inmates with vocational & job-related skills. Jack Ciattarelli: Answer to hate crimes not new policy but changed attitude. Robert Menendez: Address roots of gangs via education & empowerment. Seth Kaper-Dale: Use prison for training, not profit. Edward Durr: Governor refused to stand with our law enforcement officers. Jack Ciattarelli: Toughen bail reform rules governing juvenile offenders. Jack Ciattarelli: Changed position, supports Trump's pardon of Jan. 6 rioters. Jon Bramnick: Increase penalties for violent criminals. Josh Gottheimer: Hire more cops on the beat and expand community policing. Mikie Sherrill: Critical that we invest in comprehensive reentry services. Ras Baraka: People don't understand crime is a public-health issue. Stephen Sweeney: Strengthened laws to protect children from sex offenders. Steve Fulop: Prosecute repeat offenders in an escalating fashion. |
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Drugs Bonnie Watson Coleman: Decriminalize marijuana; implement alternative sentencing. Jack Ciattarelli: Drug epidemic should remain a priority. Jim McGreevey: Offer behavioral drug treatment to addicted inmates. Jim McGreevey: Transition addicted inmates to outpatient drug treatment. Joe Rullo: Make it a living hell for heroin dealers in NJ. Kim Guadagno: Decriminalization, not legalization. Phil Murphy: Opioid addiction is an illness, and it is treatable. Phil Murphy: Focus on racial justice with marijuana legalization. Ray Lesniak: Ultimately we'll get legalization but wait for other states. Ray Lesniak: Study legalization of recreational cannabis in other states. Seth Kaper-Dale: Legalize and tax recreational marijuana. Steve Fulop: Transition addicted inmates to outpatient drug treatment. Steve Fulop: Wait for other states to see pro's and con's of legalization. Steve Fulop: Study legalization of recreational cannabis in other states. Doug Steinhardt: General counsel to Law Enforcement Against Drugs (L.E.A.D.). Mikie Sherrill: Move carefully on legalization of marijuana. Ras Baraka: Treat home grown cannabis the same as other gardening. Stephen Sweeney: NJ cannabis industry could foster 42,000 jobs. |
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Education Bonnie Watson Coleman: Supports voluntary prayer in public schools. Jack Ciattarelli: Limit aid to overfunded school districts. Jack Ciattarelli: Re-balance over-funded vs/ under-funded school districts. Jack Ciattarelli: Don't mandate college vaccination until others vaccinated. Jack Ciattarelli: We're going to roll back the LGBTQ curriculum; goes too far. Jack Ciattarelli: Reconfigure state school funding to where it's needed today. Joe Rullo: Stop saddling parents and students with Common Core. Joe Rullo: Merge roles of school superintendents and administrators. Kim Guadagno: Merit pay for teachers; school choice for parents. Phil Murphy: Tackle our higher education student debt problem head on. Phil Murphy: Focus on STEM to make Silicon Valley in New Jersey. Phil Murphy: Reignite NJ science hotbed by focusing on STEM sector. Seth Kaper-Dale: Reform districting, moratorium on charter schools. Seth Kaper-Dale: Cut college tuition, lower interest rates on loans. Edward Durr: Parents don't have a say in the schools. Jack Ciattarelli: Implement a Parents' Bill of Rights providing transparency. Jon Bramnick: Expand charter schools, implement robust school choice. Mikie Sherrill: Make school meals available at no cost for every student . Mikie Sherrill: For regional magnet schools attracting diverse students. Ras Baraka: Bonuses to schools that expand enrollment through diversity. Stephen Sweeney: Support a first-class education system, pre-K through 12 . Steve Fulop: Use magnet schools to bring diverse students together. |
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Energy & Oil Jack Ciattarelli: Should accelerate use of natural gas, not phase it out. Joe Rullo: Repeal the 23-cent gas tax. Kim Guadagno: Favor wind turbines on Jersey coast. Phil Murphy: Raise gas tax to renew Transportation Trust Fund. Phil Murphy: It stinks, but raise the gas tax to fund transportation. Seth Kaper-Dale: Put NJ back on track on climate change. Steve Fulop: Variable rate gas tax with automatic inflation increase. Steve Fulop: Gas tax is essentially a user fee for motorists. Edward Durr: Do I think that we are killing the world? No! Jack Ciattarelli: Ban offshore wind farms from being built off our coast. Jon Bramnick: Eliminate the ban on the sale of gas-powered cars by 2035. Josh Gottheimer: Affordable energy will take an all-of-the-above approach. Mikie Sherrill: I will pursue all-of-the-above clean energy investments. Ras Baraka: I will aggressively pursue our transition from fossil fuels. Stephen Sweeney: We need gas; we need pipelines; we need all-the-above. Steve Fulop: A proven track record of moving towards renewable energy. Mikie Sherrill: Cut red tape to build solar, natural gas, and nuclear. |
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Environment Bonnie Watson Coleman: Fund clean up of contaminated industrial sites. Chris Christie: Develop Liberty State Park to generate more revenue. Jack Ciattarelli: Will be a green governor; safe, clean water imperative. Phil Murphy: Commit to protecting shores with long-term enviro plan. Phil Murphy: Long-term planning via Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Ray Lesniak: Ban baiting of deer and bear during hunting. Seth Kaper-Dale: Energy construction should look to future, not past. Stephen Sweeney: Stall development of Liberty State Park until Christie gone. Steve Fulop: Stall development of Liberty State Park until Christie gone. Mikie Sherrill: Applauds EPA for mitigating PFAs contamination. Ras Baraka: Thanked EPA for helping Newark replace lead pipes. Steve Fulop: Force polluters to pay for the damage they caused. |
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Families & Children Phil Murphy: Ensure that all workers have the right to earned sick leave. Seth Kaper-Dale: Address problems specific to LGBTQ community. Seth Kaper-Dale: Earned paid sick leave is a must. Steve Fulop: Require companies to grant paid sick leave. Josh Gottheimer: Expand Child Tax Credit to help cover cost of child care. Mikie Sherrill: I will expand New Jersey's child tax credit. Stephen Sweeney: Authored New Jersey's Paid Family Leave program. Steve Fulop: Sixth city in the US to ensure paid sick leave. |
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Foreign Policy Kim Guadagno: Keep restrictions on our relations with Cuba. Phil Murphy: Former U.S. ambassador to Germany, appointed by Obama. Ras Baraka: Called for ceasefire in Gaza, release of hostages. Mikie Sherrill: Nobody in NJ says "I hope today's the day we buy Greenland". |
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Free Trade Tammy Murphy: Part of NJ trade delegation to East Asia & Taiwan. |
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Government Reform Bonnie Watson Coleman: Limit PAC, party, and corporate campaign donations. Hirsh Singh: Corrupt vote-by-mail system destroyed election's integrity. Jack Ciattarelli: Call for Constitutional Convention and referendums. Jack Ciattarelli: Require photo ID, purge voter rolls, allow early voting. Jack Ciattarelli: Don't bring California's "insane regulations" to New Jersey. Phil Murphy: I don't owe the political insiders anything. Doug Steinhardt: Automatic voter registration would favor Democrats. Jack Ciattarelli: Create the NJ Department of Government Efficiency. Jack Ciattarelli: Require all voters to produce photo ID at the polls. Jon Bramnick: Create a citizen led Government Efficiency Panel. Ras Baraka: Home rule prevents building affordable housing. Ras Baraka: Make every vote count; make voting as easy as possible. Stephen Sweeney: Opposes allowing initiatives and referendums on the ballot. Steve Fulop: Same-day voter registration would increase turnout. |
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Gun Control Bonnie Watson Coleman: Supports licensing; background checks; and safety locks. Joe Rullo: Goal is concealed carry without justifiable need. Phil Murphy: Sensible gun safety regulations: taxes & training. Ray Lesniak: Buy police weapons from socially responsible gun sellers. Seth Kaper-Dale: Supports gun control, but check laws for racial bias. Steve Fulop: Reward "socially responsible" gun distributors. Jack Ciattarelli: Fast track status for applicants who face imminent danger. Ras Baraka: New Jersey endangered by weak gun laws in other states. |
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Health Care Hirsh Singh: COVID: don't stop family get-togethers for Thanksgiving. Jack Ciattarelli: Discontinue ObamaCare Cadillac health insurance plans. Jack Ciattarelli: Protect those with pre-existing conditions; lower costs. Jack Ciattarelli: COVID: Against requiring showing proof of vaccination. Jack Ciattarelli: Would veto ending religious exemptions for vaccinations. Kim Guadagno: Bring public insurance in line with private sector. Phil Murphy: Pounding away against anti-vax bloc: they're safe, they work. Seth Kaper-Dale: Health care a right, not a benefit. Steve Fulop: Partner with public health groups to fight urban disparities. Steve Fulop: Combat health disparities that plague cities. Edward Durr: Don't punish doctors for misinformation on treatment. Jack Ciattarelli: Oppose a one-size-fits-all vaccination schedule. Jon Bramnick: Ensure appropriate Medicaid reimbursement rates. Mikie Sherrill: Mandate greater transparency in health care pricing. Mikie Sherrill: Affordable, accessible healthcare is a lifeline for families. Ras Baraka: Expand services to address social determinants of health. Stephen Sweeney: Require commitment for mental health services from providers. Steve Fulop: We're going to ban premium hikes based on ZIP code. |
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Homeland Security Joe Rullo: Eliminate state income taxes on all veterans' pensions. Kim Guadagno: Head of the Military Growth Task Force. Phil Murphy: Create new NJ department responsible for veterans. Seth Kaper-Dale: Help refugees, don't fear them. Steve Fulop: Denounced theory that Jersey City Muslims cheered 9/11. Jack Ciattarelli: Provide programs and benefits to all veterans. Josh Gottheimer: Imperative to fix budget shortfall in veterans benefits. |
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Immigration Jack Ciattarelli: Let local law agencies work with ICE on illegal immigration. Joe Rullo: Eliminate sanctuary cities across NJ. Kim Guadagno: Against sanctuary state. Seth Kaper-Dale: Fought deportation splitting families. Steve Fulop: More outreach to involve immigrants in civic life. Jack Ciattarelli: Ban municipalities declaring themselves Sanctuary Cities. Jon Bramnick: I would end sanctuary states, we have to follow the law. Mikie Sherrill: Ensure no retaliation for dealing with police, health care. Ras Baraka: Ensure police aren't arms of federal immigration enforcement. Stephen Sweeney: Would repeal New Jersey's "sanctuary" state status. Steve Fulop: Uphold and strengthen the Immigrant Trust Directive. Mikie Sherrill: ICE protests have been peaceful, but ICE hasn't been. |
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Jobs Donny DiFrancesco: Develop a workplace basic skills program. Jack Ciattarelli: Reform public employee benefits system. Kim Guadagno: Against minimum wage hike. Phil Murphy: Partner with private sector to expand job training. Phil Murphy: Close the wage gap: ban unequal pay for same work by women. Phil Murphy: Raise minimum wage to $15 per hour. Seth Kaper-Dale: Will work for $15 minimum wage. Seth Kaper-Dale: Will protect union rights to organize & collectively bargain. Steve Fulop: Jersey City first to raise the minimum wage to $15. Stephen Sweeney: Successfully raised minimum wage to above $15 an hour. |
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Principles & Values Hirsh Singh: Claims Antifa is "radical, paramilitary arm" of Democrats. Jack Ciattarelli: Don't make New Jersey the California of the East Coast. Doug Steinhardt: Put America and New Jersey first. Edward Durr: He is a Christian, blue-collar, and patriotic American. Jon Bramnick: Wouldn't take Trump's endorsement even if offered. Josh Gottheimer: I will always stand up to bigotry in all forms. Ras Baraka: Commitment to building a brighter and more inclusive future. Steve Fulop: Would oppose legislating definition of antisemitism. |
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Social Security Hirsh Singh: Move new state employees to 401k-style retirement plan. Jack Ciattarelli: Limit retirement pensions for public retirees. Phil Murphy: Evaluate state pension system for growing unfunded liability. Seth Kaper-Dale: State must ensure senior care. Jack Ciattarelli: Will never support cuts to Social Security or Medicare. |
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Tax Reform Donny DiFrancesco: High property taxes obstruct high quality of life. Jack Ciattarelli: School funding formula is root of property tax growth. Jack Ciattarelli: Top priorities: lower property tax, reform state tax code. Jack Ciattarelli: Contract with NJ GOP: lower taxes, cut spending, reduce debt. Joe Rullo: Reduce property taxes; repeal gas tax; veto new taxes. Kim Guadagno: High state property taxes drive businesses to other states. Kim Guadagno: Veto new tax increases. Steve Fulop: No municipal tax increase for third year in a row. Steve Fulop: We make government work well with no municipal tax increase. Edward Durr: We have taxed the people to the verge of death. Jack Ciattarelli: Cut the Corporation Business Tax by 1% per year for 5 years. Jon Bramnick: Cut income taxes; simplify brackets; adjust for inflation. Josh Gottheimer: I will cut property taxes for everyone by nearly 15%. Ras Baraka: Tax breaks for the wealthy make the rest of us pay the bills. Stephen Sweeney: Make tax system work for families, not just big corporations. |
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Technology Kim Guadagno: Infrastructure plan without gas tax or toll increases. Kim Guadagno: Get NY tax dollars spent on bi-state transportation. Phil Murphy: Share congestion pricing revenue between NYC and NJ. Phil Murphy: Joint venture with Israel for technological R&D. Seth Kaper-Dale: Infrastructure investment tied to environment. Steve Fulop: Congestion pricing leads to "race to zero" for NYC vs. NJ. |
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Welfare & Poverty Chris Christie: Food stamps recipients must be in job training programs. Phil Murphy: More affordable housing; more Earned Income Tax Credit. Ray Lesniak: Private donations for job training for SNAP recipients. Seth Kaper-Dale: Social justice for those who are last in society. Seth Kaper-Dale: Led church on social justice issues. |
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Gubernatorial winners and losers in each state: AK - AL - AR - AZ - CA - CO - CT - DE - FL - GA - HI - IA - ID - IL - IN - KS - KY - LA - MA - MD - ME - MI - MN - MO - MS - MT - NC - ND - NE - NH - NJ - NM - NV - NY - OH - OK - OR - PA - RI - SC - SD - TN - TX - UT - VA - VT - WA - WI - WV - WY - Senatorial winners and losers in each state: AK - AL - AR - AZ - CA - CO - CT - DE - FL - GA - HI - IA - ID - IL - IN - KS - KY - LA - MA - MD - ME - MI - MN - MO - MS - MT - NC - ND - NE - NH - NJ - NM - NV - NY - OH - OK - OR - PA - RI - SC - SD - TN - TX - UT - VA - VT - WA - WI - WV - WY - U.S. House of Representatives winners and losers in each state: AK - AL - AR - AZ - CA - CO - CT - DE - FL - GA - HI - IA - ID - IL - IN - KS - KY - LA - MA - MD - ME - MI - MN - MO - MS - MT - NC - ND - NE - NH - NJ - NM - NV - NY - OH - OK - OR - PA - RI - SC - SD - TN - TX - UT - VA - VT - WA - WI - WV - WY - |
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