Politics & Government

Meet Congressional Candidates at Bernards Inn

Somerset Hills Republican Club invites public to hear 7th district candidates Tuesday night.

The public is invited from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday to hear U.S. Congressman Lance, a Republican who represents the 7th district, to speak on what he does in Congress. His challenger, Republican candidates David Larsen, will have a chance to discuss what he would like to do if he wins the election.

The forum is being sponsored by the Somerset Hills Republican Club, and all in the Somerset Hills are invited, according to an announcement from the club. As of next year, the 7th U.S. Congressional district will represent all of the Somerset Hills, including Bernards Township. Ballots for Bernards Township residents will list 7th district candidates in the June primary and November general election.

The event is being held at The Bernards Inn, 27 Mine Brook Inn, in Bernardsville. It is free, although donations will be accepted.

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"The Somerset Hills Republican Club is a non-profit educational club," said Barbara Long, president of the club. The club's bylaws do not allow the backing or funding of any particular candidates, she said.

"We want you to know the Republican candidates," she said.

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Along with Lance discussing how he conducts daily business in U.S. Congress, Larsen will talk about the process of filing for a place on the ballot for a national position, Long said on Tuesday afternoon.

About the Republican candidates for U.S. Congress

issued a statement after filing on Monday, "I am grateful for the support of all those who have signed petitions to place my name on the ballot and am looking forward to a spirited campaign. Voters throughout the district are telling me they are ready to change the direction of our nation and want an economy tested businessman with experience creating jobs, and the grit to lead with conservative principles to repeal and defund Obamacare."

is from Clinton Township.

At a town meeting at the Bernardsville Public Library in January, Lance made clear several times during his opening statement and while answering questions from a gathered group of at least 100 people that he considers handling the country's economic challenges the "overarching issue" in Congress, and in the upcoming election.

"I think we have to get our fiscal house in order," Lance said at the January session, which he described at

He said he would oppose any tax increases at this time because he feels that reviving the economy is key to reducing the national deficit. "It's going to be a terrible drag on economy, I believe, if the Bush tax cuts expire," Lance said.

Lance expressed strong support for a proposal by U.S. Congressman Ron Paul, (R-14th District, Texas) calling for an audit of the federal reserve. Lance said he is supporting Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for the Republican nomination for the presidency — although he would have supported N.J. Gov. Chris Christie if he had sought the nomination — but he said that Paul provides valuable expertise in the nation's financial and mortgage lending institutions.

Besides the economy, Lance identified some of the "1,001 problems" that need addressing as health care and sustainable energy. He said he supports the court repeal of President Obama's health care plan, a decision he predicts will be close, but he would keep aspects of the plan in a new health care proposal, such as the need to protect Americans from being denied health care coverage because of a pre-existing health condition.

Discussing foreign policy, Lance said he continues to support a strong U.S. military to continue to fight the "stateless" terrorists that continue to oppose the United States. However, he said that the reduction of troops in the mideast should help reduce the national deficit. Looking at the deficit, Lance said he would support a gradual 10-year plan for bringing down national debt since he feels America should be responsible and "pay...bills," including paying the troops on time. He said he would help preserve the Social Security program by raising the full-benefits working age by another year or two for those who are now in their 20s.

Lance appeared before the Greater Basking Ridge Tea Party on Monday night. Larson had appeared the previous month, and also had addressed the group the previous year.

"The new district did not elect my opponent," Larsen said at that time. "The new district is conservative and he [Lance] is not," Larsen said, noting that he believes the previous version the 11th district wanted a more moderate Republican representative.

Larsen said he sees an opportunity to gain voters Bernards Township, since the municipality, through this year, has been represented by 11th district Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen. He said the new district also will be expanded into Long Hill Township in Morris County.

As an immigrant from Norway, who worked to build a family business, Larsen said he sees himself as an alternative to "career politicians" who he said are out of touch with constituents.

He told the Tea Party audience that his grandfather had owned a grocery store and bakery in Norway during Nazi occupation, and the family came to the U.S. with an appreciation for preserving this country's freedoms. "I grew up around people who worked hard," he said.

As such, Larsen said he differs from Republicans who "call themselves conservatives and then support the Obama agenda." He said he not only opposes Obama's health care plan, but he would also cut federal spending by eliminating agencies such as the federal departments of energy and education.

Larsen said he would not have voted to raise the debt ceiling if he had represented the 7th district in U.S. Congress last year. "The government would not have shut down," he said.

He also said the U.S. should revise the corporate tax structure and financial policies to support businesses. "New businesses aren't being started because it's hard for [them] to get loans," he said.


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