Sue Altman has been out and about all week – holding a rally in Rahway, a town hall in Clinton and speaking at a forum at FDU.
Not so much her opponent, incumbent Rep. Tom H. Kean Jr.
Yes, he has a “day job,” but that in itself does not explain Kean’s continuing refusal to engage with the press, or for that matter, just about anyone other than loyal Republicans.
Kean used this strategy in winning his CD-7 seat two years ago, so one can’t blame him for doing it again in a district that leans Republican by about 19,000 on the registration rolls.
At the same time, it makes for an interesting dynamic in what is the only competitive House race in the state.
The Fairleigh Dickinson University forum is an ongoing series of discussions with New Jersey candidates. These bipartisan events generally draw academics, some students and members of public interest groups.
Andy Kim was there last week. Curtis Bashaw is scheduled to attend next week.
Altman’s turn was Wednesday. Before things got going, moderator Peter Woolley, a political science professor, explained that Kean had declined an invite to attend a future session.
I asked his campaign via email for a comment, but there was no response.
Altman reviewed her work in fighting corruption in Camden County. As Woolley noted, she was removed from a 2019 legislative hearing in Trenton that was exploring tax incentives granted to businesses connected to George Norcross. Now that Norcross is under indictment on corruption charges, Altman figures the video of her being thrown out has aged pretty well.
Kean’s initial TV ad of the campaign was – and is – about corruption.
Among other things, he talks of voting to evict George Santos from Congress.
Altman said that shows the congressman is playing defense, meaning that he’s trying to co-opt her main issue.
Fighting corruption, she said, is my “claim to fame.”
Of course, that is precisely why Team Kean chose to highlight “corruption” in their first ad.
An issue that just popped up is SALT, or the state and local tax deduction. The 2017 tax reform act capped the deduction at $10,000, which mostly impacts homeowners in high-tax states like New Jersey.
House Democrats have tried – unsuccessfully for years – to get rid of the cap. Most recently, doing away with the cap was endorsed by Donald Trump, who created it in the first place.
Kean says he wants the cap removed, and at Wednesday’s forum, Altman said the same.
Tom Bracken, the president of the state’s Chamber of Commerce, asked Altman her views on the overall tax bill, which reduced the corporate tax rate from 35 to 21 percent, increased the standard deduction and slightly lowered individual rates. The bill’s provisions expire next year, so the future is uncertain.
Altman said she would need to review the bill before commenting on it; which is something Bracken urged her to do.
Looking ahead, Altman has another town hall scheduled for Saturday in Mount Olive. She says the plan is to have town halls in all six counties in the district – Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren.
As for Kean, he plans to spend Saturday morning canvassing in Long Valley to be followed by a luncheon featuring Rep. Darrell Issa of California. The lunch is closed to the press.
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Altman, a political newcomer, has been making waves in Congressional District 7 as he ramps up his campaign activity against incumbent Tom Kean. With the election just around the corner, Altman has been tirelessly working to gain support and spread his message to voters in the district.
Altman’s campaign has been gaining momentum in recent weeks, with a surge in fundraising and a strong presence on social media. He has been holding town hall meetings, attending community events, and knocking on doors to connect with voters and hear their concerns.
One of the key issues Altman has been focusing on is healthcare. He has been advocating for affordable and accessible healthcare for all residents of the district, and has been critical of Kean’s record on healthcare policy.
Altman has also been highlighting his background as a small business owner and his commitment to creating jobs and boosting the local economy. He has been emphasizing the need for policies that support small businesses and working families in the district.
In contrast, Kean has been facing criticism for his ties to special interests and his voting record on issues such as healthcare and the environment. Altman has been quick to point out these differences and make the case for why he is the better choice for voters in Congressional District 7.
As the election draws near, Altman’s campaign shows no signs of slowing down. With a strong grassroots movement behind him and a clear message for voters, Altman is poised to give Kean a run for his money in what is shaping up to be a closely contested race. Voters in Congressional District 7 will have an important decision to make come election day, and Altman is hoping to earn their support with his energetic campaign and focus on the issues that matter most to residents of the district.
