Rep. Frelinghuysen’s Challengers Speak About His Retirement

“An opportunity for new leadership in Congress.” “Not surprising.” A “shake-up” to the 2018 General Election. These are some of the phrases that the challengers for U.S. Representative Rodney Frelinghuysen’s congressional seat in the 11th District had to say about the veteran lawmaker’s decision not to run for another term in 2018.

On Monday, Frelinghuysen – the chair of the House Appropriations Committee and one of the state’s most powerful Republicans – announced his intent to retire and bow out of the 2018 election – leaving his congressional seat without an incumbent for the first time in decades.

• See related article: Rodney Frelinghuysen Announces Retirement

Here’s what some of the candidates for the 11th District had to say about their former opponent’s decision to retire.

MARTIN HEWITT

“With the announcement of Congressman Frelinghuysen that he will not pursue another election in November, I want to remind you why I am here. It is to reclaim genuine Republican values for a district that has sent a Republican to Congress for generations. While appreciating the years of service of my fellow Republican, I chose to run against him precisely because I believe today's GOP has failed to represent genuine republican values. I am here to serve this District by looking to our best legacy to create a future legacy for which my neighbors here can thrive. Specifically, I want to represent the values of deeply principled, never mind deeply tested, leaders like General Ike Eisenhower and Governor Nelson Rockefeller. They represent the ideas of the Republican party that I value; men who believed in an inclusive, forward-thinking America. An America that was not closed to the world but helped lead the world. An America that is dynamic, inclusive, and rich with growth.”

According to Hewitt:

“At this point, our district is not represented by today's GOP leadership. I do not count them as my leaders. But I am a firm believer in Republican values. Of the small business person and entrepreneur, whether they were born in this country or came to help make our country even stronger. Of the young students, whatever gender or orientation, who want to excel in the sciences as well as the arts. Of an environment that's worth protecting - conserving as all good conservatives believe in. I believe the will of the people is far greater and more important than the will of the Republican leadership. I believe we should all have the right to run for office without pledging undying loyalty to a party and "paying our dues" by coming up through the political machinery. The real election this year is the primary on June 5, 2018. For those of you who have never voted before in a primary, I urge you to register to help our community, our district, and our party return to the principles by which we have lived for generations.”

MIKIE SHERRILL

“While Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen and I did not agree on many issues, as a fellow veteran I deeply respect his service to our country and to this community. From serving in Vietnam, to the New Jersey legislature, to the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Frelinghuysen dedicated himself to protecting this country.”

Sherrill added:

“I may not have always agreed with Congressman Frelinghuysen, but I will always appreciate his service to our country as a veteran and a public servant. [Monday’s] announcement does not change the fact that since we announced in May, we have built a formidable grassroots campaign. With support from across the 11th district we will continue to build on our early successes."

TAMARA HARRIS

“This retirement is not surprising and is further validation that force-ripening the primary process in this race is not a sound strategy. The Democratic primary is far from over, and in fact it is just beginning. The open seat in the 11th Congressional district means that Democratic candidates must earn the nomination the hard way. Candidates need a level playing field and it is time to empower the voters of the district and trust that they are able to choose a candidate who will energize the base and create the momentum needed to win in the general election against the GOP’s candidate. It’s time for an open primary where all the Democratic candidates will run on one ballot line. Let voters decide who is the best to fill the seat. Putting people first and putting people before politics, is truly the progressive way.”

Harris added:

“I am calling on all of the candidates, regardless of whether they’ve received party backing or not, to run together with me in an open primary. There is change afoot in this district, and we need to do everything we can to ensure that there is enough momentum coming out of the primary to win in the general election. I will continue to take my message to the people and to demonstrate why this is the right time for change, why this is the right race to run, and why I am the right candidate for all the people of the NJ11 District.”

MITCHELL COBERT

“Congressman Frelinghuysen has been a part of this district for over two decades and we thank him for his service. To all of those concerned citizens who have been so vocal this past year seeking change, your voices have been heard. We now have an opportunity for new leadership in Congress that will work to stop the reckless partisanship that divides our country.”

Cobert said:

“Our next Representative must be someone who stands for Common Ground and Common Sense. As a qualified, long-time resident of the 11th district, I will continue to meet with every club, committee, organization, and concerned citizen to work for solutions to the issues facing all of us.”

MARK WASHBURNE

“I was actually expecting Congressman Frelinghuysen not to run for another term but I cannot take credit for coming up with the idea. When I declared my candidacy in November, I was interviewed by Mike Izzo from the Morristown Daily Record who did not think Frelinhuysen was going to run. Mike said after 12 terms he had little to gain by another term but a lot to lose by submitting to a tough campaign for reelection that he might lose. There were also some other signs that he was not running that included his failure to engage his critics who protested at his office or holding town hall meetings.”

Washburne continued:

“The race is going to be shaken up in many ways. First, after two decades of waiting, I expect a number of Republicans to declare their candidacy for the job. In order to set themselves apart from the field, I expect some will embrace Trump (and all that means) or do the opposite and run away from the President and some of his more extreme positions and tweets. I also expect the G.O.P candidates to be more critical of us Democrats to win their primary. I see residency in the 11th District becoming an issue since one of the Democrats for the 11th does not currently live in the Congressional District she wants to represents and the only declared Republican just moved to the 11th District last month by renting an apartment in Morristown after living in East Brunswick. All in all, it should be an interesting and exciting race for both the Democratic and Republican nominations in June and the General Election in November.”

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Main Photo: YouTube / Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen