’Tis the season of political malcontent. With that sentiment in the air, candidates in the 12th Congressional district are looking to capitalize on angry voters who will either unseat a long-time incumbent or reject a millionaire former hedge-fund manager. Democratic incumbent Rush Holt and his Republican opponent Scott Sipprelle are appealing to voters’ concerns about the economy and jobs...
Democratic Rep. Rush Holt (left) and his Republican challenger in the 12th District, Scott Sipprelle, shake hands after debating at Rider University in Lawrence Township.’Tis the season of political malcontent.
With that sentiment in the air, candidates in the 12th Congressional district are looking to capitalize on angry voters who will either unseat a long-time incumbent or reject a millionaire former hedge-fund manager.
Democratic incumbent Rush Holt and his Republican opponent Scott Sipprelle are appealing to voters’ concerns about the economy and jobs as they each try to paint the other as a continuation of bad government.
Also on the Nov. 2 ballot is Independent candidate Kenneth Cody, 38, of Lawrence Township, who refuses to accept any political contributions for his campaign. He says he does so to send a message candidates can run an effective campaign without "breaking the bank."
Cody, who said he does not believe in voting along party lines, pledged to work with both political parties to advance legislation "that will benefit Americans, not political parties," he said.
With his "buy American" mantra, Cody says building small businesses can help the sluggish economy. A proponent of universal health care, he proposes offering employees the option to work 40 hours in four days, giving them some flexibility while helping businesses save money on utility costs.
Holt, a physicist-turned-legislator, has highlighted Sipprelle’s career as a former hedge-fund manager with Morgan Stanley. This is an attempt to convince voters the political newcomer participated in the Wall Street practices that contributed to the Great Recession.
In turn, Sipprelle, hoping to take advantage of the growing backlash against Democrats and incumbents, claims Holt’s six terms in Congress have put him out of touch with the needs of his constituents. He says Holt remains committed to Democratic policies that have not improved the economy.
Both candidates have pushed small business creation as a way to jump-start an economic recovery in New Jersey.
Laying out his campaign initiatives in a ‘‘Blueprint for Renewal," Sipprelle, who is self-funding his campaign, says the federal government has too much oversight of private business.
To spur investment in new business, Sipprelle, a venture capitalist, supports suspending capital gains taxes on new business ventures. He wants a simplified federal tax code that would impose a 20-percent flat tax on corporations and individuals.
Sipprelle supports mandating no annual increase in the federal budget until the deficit drops below 3 percent of the gross domestic product. He wants Congress to freeze and reduce the number of federal non-military employees.
"With real unemployment exceeding 9.7 percent and a so-called stimulus package that has only added to the unemployment rolls, it’s time for a new direction," Sipprelle said.
The 47-year-old Princeton resident supports extending the tax cuts initiated by former President George Bush, while Holt wants the tax cuts to expire.
Holt opposes cuts to Social Security; Sipprelle said there should be a review of the program to determine whether adjustments are necessary.
Holt has supported the extension of unemployment and COBRA benefits; Sipprelle wants the renewal of unemployment benefits at a level below minimum wage.
Sipprelle wants to repeal the federal health care reform bill signed last year by President Obama; Holt supported the health care bill and wants to keep the reforms in place.
A resident of Hopewell, Holt, 62, said he wants to close the tax loophole for companies that move jobs overseas and said he would use that money generated to fund teachers’ salaries and boost Medicare.
He is the prime sponsor of legislation that would raise the cap on liability of oil companies after a spill from the current $75 million to up to $10 billion.
Holt supports the Small Business Jobs & Credit Act that encourages banks to release more loans and he supports a tax credit for small businesses investing in research.
Carved out of sections of central New Jersey, the 12th District cuts through parts of Monmouth, Mercer, Hunterdon, Middlesex and Somerset counties.
RUSH HOLT (Incumbent)
Party: Democrat
Age: 62
Hometown: Hopewell
Occupation: Congressman
Family: Married; three grown children and seven grandchildren
Political experience: Congressman since 1998
Top 3 issues: Creating jobs, economic growth and stimulating the economy
SCOTT SIPPRELLE
Party: Republican
Age: 47
Hometown: Princeton
Occupation: Venture capitalist
Family: Married; three children
Political experience: Trustee of the Historical Society of Princeton; college intern for former Sen. Pete Wilson, a California Republican
Top 3 issues: Fixing the economy and creating jobs, reducing taxes and spending, term limits and Congressional reform
KENNETH CODY
Party: Independent
Age: 38
Hometown: Lawrence Township
Occupation: digital audio production coordinator for the nonprofit organization Recording For the Blind & Dyslexic in Princeton
Family: Married, one child
Political experience: First time running for political office
Top 3 issues: bipartisanship, economy, campaign finance reform