Over 30 people turned out on beautiful Sunday (Sept 18th) afternoon in Tewksbury to attend the annual Tewksbury Democratic Committee Election Kick-Off Picnic. The picnic was held at the home of Lori and Tom Larsen. Dominick DePinto, chairman of the Tewksbury Democratic Committee, welcomed everyone. “It’s another great day to meet our candidates and show them our support.”

Lauren Polito, the candidate for Tewksbury Township Committee, spoke about her reasons for running for office. Polito explained how she graduated from Babson College and majored in Finance, had a concentration in Economics. From the time she graduated until 2009, she worked in the structured finance bond market as a financial analyst. She then decided to become a stay-at–home mom to raise her two young children. “I love Tewksbury. I love that when I go to The Tewksbury Inn, or Melicks, or The Magic Shop, I almost always see someone I know. I love that when I go for a run or bike ride, everyone that passes smiles and waves. I love raising sheep and living amid farms. I’m a fiscally conservative taxpayer who is concerned with the financial future of Tewksbury. Despite the rapidly dissipating surplus, no real solutions have been forthcoming from the Township Committee. I believe my education and real experience in the field of finance will enable me to help solve the budget issue without raising taxes.”

Karen Carroll of Bound Brook then spoke. Carroll is running with Scott MacDonald of Washington Borough as the Democratic candidates for the Assembly in the 23rd District. Carroll spoke passionately about how issues in the campaign were all connected by a common thread. “I have concern for women’s issues, labor, education, health care, the environment, and senior citizens. The thread that connects them is their vulnerability. The Governor and his friends have perfected methods for demonizing all of these and making it seem appropriate to “rein them in.” I never understand how and when we became the “bad guys” when we stand up for the poor, the homeless, the hungry, for clean air and water, good paying jobs with benefits, workplace safety, health care for women, children and the poor, education and financial security for our seniors. I plan to point it out every time my opponents have voted against the interests of their constituents and the rest of New Jersey. And I believe if we can truly connect with enough of them, physically and on-line, we can succeed.”

Andrea Bonette, the candidate for County Freeholder, spoke at length about the need for transparency on the Board of Elected Freeholders. “As a former township official I understand the need to sometimes go into executive session but our Freeholders use this approach a regular basis, denying our citizens the right to follow the legislative process. If elected I plan to work for a much more open process.”

John Graf of Bedminster is the Democratic candidate for the Senate in the 23rd District. He is currently the Director of Development for The Resource Center of Somerset and serves as the chief fundraising official and community affairs officer for the non-profit agency dealing with domestic violence and abuse in Somerset County. Graf is also a minister who he has performed non-denominational weddings, baptisms, funerals and memorial services throughout the metropolitan area since 1997. Rev Graf spoke about the closing of Hagedorn Psychiatric Center. He said Senator Doherty lost his credibility when he abstained from voting on a bill that aimed to restore funding for Hagedorn earlier this month. “My opponent says one thing and does another and becomes the governor’s puppet and then just goes along with the boss,” Graf said. “He didn’t go with his conscience, bottom line.”

DePinto ended the presentation by reminding everyone that this could be a close election and it was more important than ever to come out and vote on election day.