District 23 Senate Candidates Give Answers

With the Nov. 8 election fast approaching, Patch takes a look at the candidates for the District 23 Senate seat, incumbent Republican Michael J. Doherty (Washington Township, Warren), Democratic challenger Rev. John Graf Jr. (Bedminster), and Independent challenger Daniel Z. Seyler (Phillipsburg).

Patch asked each candidate to fill out the questionnaire below. Here are their responses.

For Patch's coverage of the Somerset Hills League of Women Voters District 23 Senate debate, head here.

Michael J. Doherty (R-Washington Twp.)

Age:  48

Education: B.S., 1985, United States Military Academy at West Point; J.D., 1993, Seton Hall University School of Law

Occupation: State Senator; patent attorney

Previous elected or appointed positions: Warren County Freeholder, 2001-04; NJ General Assembly, 2002-09; Senate, 2009-present.

Any other current elected or appointed positions: None.

Other community associations: Served in the United States Army from 1985-1993; member of St. Rose of Lima Church located in Oxford

Town (and length) of residence: Washington Township, Warren County, since 1998.

Length of residence in District 23: Same as above.

Most pressing issues for this candidate in a coming term, and what would be done to address them: We must improve New Jersey’s economy. Lower taxes and less regulation are the keys to rejuvenating New Jersey’s economy. A reduced regulatory burden will enable us to attract new businesses and keep those that we have. One good way to start is by eliminating some of the excessive regulations imposed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

We can also revive our economy by restoring our manufacturing base. We also need to develop and utilize our abundant domestic energy resources such as oil, natural gas, coal and nuclear energy. The production of our domestic energy resources will create millions of high paying jobs.

We must lower the property tax burden on all homeowners, especially senior citizens living on a fixed income. Property taxes are high because our suburban and rural towns get very little school aid from Trenton. This deficiency requires our towns to make up the difference by collecting higher local property taxes.  Why should 20 percent of the students in the Abbott school districts receive over 60 percent of all state school aid? In order to lower property taxes, I have developed a Fair School Funding Plan (SCR162) that will provide each student with the same amount of school aid, regardless of where the student lives. Our schools are funded through the state income tax, which is very progressive. The top 1 percent pay 38.5 percent of all income taxes. The bottom 33 percent pay zero income taxes. Thus, the income tax already accounts for economic differences among our residents. As such, when the income tax is collected to provide for our school fund, the state should divide the school aid equally for each student. In addition, Article VIII, Section IV, paragraph 2 of the New Jersey State Constitution requires state school aid to be distributed “for the equal benefit of all the residents on the state.”

We must limit the issuance of new debt by state and local governments. Limiting new debt by obtaining passage of my bill, S70, which requires a public referendum prior to issuance of general obligation bonds by county and municipal governments. This change will extend the debt limitation clause that applies to state government to county and municipal government. The voters should be given the opportunity to say yes or no on any new debt. Elected officials should not be able to indebt the taxpayers without the taxpayers having a say in the matter."

Fun Fact: My wife, Linda, and I have three sons who all served on active duty in the U.S. military. Our oldest son, Matthew, served in the U.S. Army; our second son, Ryan, served in the U.S. Marine Corps; and our youngest son, Jared, continues to serve in the U.S. Air Force.

Rev. John Graf Jr. (D-Bedminster)

Age:  52 (Born: June 16, 1958 in Plainfield)

Occupation: Director of Development for The Resource Center of Somerset, a non-profit organization out of Hillsborough, dealing with domestic violence. 

Previous elected or appointed positions: Somerset County Vocational & Technical Schools, coordinator of community relations, 1986-89; Raritan Valley Community College, director of college and community relations, 1989-1995; New Jersey Department of Transportation, public information officer, 1995-97; Somerset County Vo-Tech, foundation coordinator and theatre arts instructor, 1997-2004; Somerset County Office on Aging, marketing administrator, 2004-05; Somerset County United Way, chief executive officer/president, 2005-07; religious ministry, 2007-present

Any other current elected or appointed positions:  None

Other community associations:  The Garden State Equality Board of Directors; Adult Day Center of Somerset County, Alternatives, Inc.; Somerset Treatment Services; Heritage Trail Association; PeopleCare Center; Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission; New Jersey Teen Arts; Brook Arts Center in Bound Brook; George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick; The Friends of Somerset County Youth; Community Visiting Nurses Association; Family & Community Services of Somerset County; CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Somerset, Hunterdon & Warren Counties); and the New Jersey Governor's Advisory Council on Volunteerism & Community Service.

Town (and length) of residence:  Bedminster Township, almost 19 years 
Length of residence in District 23: District 23 is new to Bedminster, per redistricting this year. Previously lived in District 16

Most pressing issues for this candidate in a coming term, and what would be done to address them: If elected Senator in District 23, my top priorities if elected would be:

Educational funding, shared services–We need to invest in the public schools that we have and look at the possibility of more shared services initiatives.

Pay to play/ethics in government–We need to get both sides of the political aisles to work together and stop fighting to make the others look bad. The "let’s get re-elected" game has got to stop once and for all! We need to put people before politics!

Little Known Fact: I served with the Republican Party as a major fundraiser and communications coordinator for over 23 years before switching to the Democratic Party three years ago due to ethics issues and arrogance of power by political bosses.

Daniel Z. Seyler (I-Phillipsburg)

Age: 56

Occupation: Currently employed as a professional school bus driver for First Student in Phillipsburg

Previous elected or appointed positions (including previous terms in sought position, if applicable): No

Any other current elected or appointed positions: No

Other community associations: No

Town (and length) of residence: Phillipsburg, since 1992 (19 years)

Length of residence in District 23: Luckily, this has remained District 23 (19 years).

Most pressing issues for this candidate in a coming term, and how they would be addressed: Senior freedom: http://njdistrict23.com/senate2011/seniorfreedom.html

Low cost housing: http://njdistrict23.com/senate2011/housing.html

Initiative and referendum: http://njdistrict23.com/Senate2011/ir.html

Fun Fact: Most voters cannot comprehend my diversity.

For more information about Daniel Z. Seyler, please visit http://lambast.com/resume