Three Questions For U.S. Congressional Candidate Rodney Frelinghuysen

In the final days before Tuesday's election, U.S. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen answered a few questions from Patch via e-mail as he seeks a ninth term in Congress, representing New Jersey's 11th district.

Frelinghuysen is being challenged by Democrat Douglas Herbert, of Chatham, and third-party candidate, Jim Gawron, of Mount Olive Township. The three candidates participated in a radio debate on Oct. 17. A second radio debate was held on Friday morning in Hackettstown.

Frelinghuysen, from Harding Township, represents a sprawling district that includes all of Morris County, parts of Somerset County, including Bernards Township and a portion of Bridgewater Township, and parts of Essex, Sussex and Passaic counties.

On Thursday, Frelinghuysen visited the Madison Junior School in Madison, where Madison Patch caught on video some of his presentation to the students.

Below are Frelinghuysen's responses via e-mail to questions posed by Patch.

Q: What do you consider your major accomplishments?

A: In addition to establishing a strong reputation for constituent service in all five counties I represent, I fight every day to improve New Jersey's future and change the way business is done in Washington. Putting problem solving ahead of politics, I bring an independent perspective to the challenges we all face every day. I will continue fighting for lower taxes, government accountability, stronger national security and more economic opportunity and freedom.

Q: What do you consider your major goals for the upcoming two-year term?

A: We must return common sense and fiscal responsibility to Washington. America is at a crucial crossroads and cannot afford another two years of exploding government spending, dangerous levels of borrowing, ever-higher taxes, unnecessary regulation and a government takeover of our health care system.

We must prevent a record tax increase from taking effect in January, rollback the size and scope of the federal government and cut government spending.

These actions must be the foundation of what should be our No. 1 priority: fostering an environment that allows private sector businesses to grow and create jobs.

Q: Why should people in the 11th district vote for you?

A: My constituents are fed up with being over-taxed and over-regulated.

They want government to get out of their way and out of their pockets. My opponent has proclaimed his support for the failed stimulus spending bill, the "cap and trade" national energy tax which will cost New Jersey families an average of $3,100 per year, and the president's outrageous government takeover of our health care system.

I am the only candidate in this race who will stand up to (U.S. House of Representatives) Speaker (Nancy) Pelosi and her cohorts in the House.