BERNARDSVILLE – Scrambling among CD-7 Democrats for the right to take on Republican Tom Kean Jr. next year is already underway.
And that was why Brian Varela, one of those congressional hopefuls, was addressing a crowd Friday at the town train station.
He said he was there to protest Kean and Donald Trump.
“If we don’t stand up, no one else will,” he said.
Just the night before, two other Democratic candidates, Michael Roth and Rebecca Bennett, journeyed to a brew pub in Mount Olive for a “beer and barbecue” event featuring Andy Kim as guest speaker.
Neither candidate spoke to the crowd of Morris County Dems.
In a brief conversation, Bennett acknowledged defeating Kean in a district that tilts Republican registration-wise would be tough, But she said she’s done tough things before.
Roth called Kean one of the most significant members of Congress. His point was that in a closely-divided House, a man from a swing district has enormous power. And the underlying point was that Kean is using that power to help the MAGA movement and not average folk in CD-7, which ranges over at least parts of six counties in western Jersey.
Back to the train station. For the last few weeks there have been regular Friday protests in the center of this upscale community. and more to the point, a short walk from Kean’s district office.
Demonstrators are opposed to Trump and today, a focus was on the need for stronger gun laws.
The overall theme, however, is Kean’s refusal to hold in-person town halls. Some may recall similar protests about eight years ago outside the Morristown office of Rodney Frelinghuysen, who also was averse to meeting the public, Frelinghuysen, in the face of all this, opted not to seek reelection in 2018, That seat is now held by Mikie Sherrill.
As to the present, the group – and there were about a hundred today – marches to Kean’s office. Some enter two at a time to state whatever grievance they have.
One man said he wanted to present a petition calling on Kean to support the impeachment of Trump, because he is defying court orders, No one expects that to happen. Protestors just want to get it on the record.
How Rep. Kean views the weekly gatherings outside his office is unknown.
No one from Kean’s office comments.
Recently, Insider NJ reported a concerning lack of comments from Congressman Tom Kean’s office on various important issues. This lack of communication from elected officials is troubling, as it hinders transparency and accountability in government.
As constituents, we rely on our representatives to keep us informed about their actions and decisions on our behalf. When a congressman’s office fails to provide timely and thorough responses to inquiries from the media or the public, it raises questions about their commitment to serving their constituents effectively.
In a democracy, it is crucial for elected officials to be transparent and accessible to the people they represent. This includes being responsive to inquiries from journalists and providing clear and accurate information about their positions on important issues.
When a congressman’s office is unresponsive or evasive in their communication, it can erode trust in the government and create a sense of disconnect between elected officials and the people they serve. It is essential for elected officials to be open and forthcoming in their communication with the public, as this is a fundamental aspect of a functioning democracy.
In light of the reported lack of comments from Congressman Kean’s office, it is important for constituents to hold their elected officials accountable and demand transparency and responsiveness in their communication. By staying informed and engaged in the political process, we can ensure that our voices are heard and that our representatives are held to the highest standards of accountability.
