Montvile Tea Party Hosts Republican Candidate for the 8th District

Roland Straten, the Republican candidate running for the House of Representatives in New Jersey's 8th district, has challenged Democratic incumbent William Pascrell for his seat before.

By his own admission, it did not go well.

"I had my butt kicked," he said.

However, due to what he feels is a change country's political climate, Straten thinks this year might be his.

"This country is changing," he said. "First with the election of Chris Christie as governor, the win of Scott Brown [in Massachusetts] and Republicans winning seats on the Passaic County Board, I decided to run again." 

Straten spoke, along with Constitutional expert Peter Tamburro at the second-ever meeting of the Montville Tea Party on Tuesday.

Straten, who is running on a platform of smaller government and individual rights, called for a small, smart government that would minimize mandated and provide people a chance to "live life as they see fit."

"We need to get rid of the politicians who do not listen to their constituents," he said. "We have a ways to go, but we have Pascrell running scared."

Scott Russell, a co-founder of the Montville Tea Party chapter, said the group does not endorse candidates, it provides those running a platform to express their beliefs.

"We are a public citizen's group," he said. "We're dedicated to supporting the Constitution and public policy that adheres to the principles of responsibility, liberty, limited government and free markets."

The group's Constitutional focus explains the presence of Tamburro, who said that the current president has stretched the executive office beyond what the Constitution calls for, continuing a precedent that has been growing since the 1940s.

"The growing executive branch began 75 years ago [with the presidency of Franklin Roosevelt]," he said. "[The founding fathers] are very, very smart and that has been forgotten by some people today."

Tamburro said the best thing any American can do is familiarize themselves with the Constitution, a trait he praised the Montville crowd for.

"The people knew their stuff," he said. "They were feisty and had their opinions and knew their stuff. I would just say a phrase and I would immediately see expressions of understanding and it led into a debate, because these average people are paying attention." 

Russell was pleased with his group's second meeting.

"Both men gave great talks," he said. "Last month we had 42 people and this month we had between 50 and 60 people, so it means we are growing."

The Montville Tea Party's next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 20. The location has not yet been determined.