Linda Stender for Congress

Background:

I have been in public service for 20 years. I have served as a Councilwoman and then Mayor of Fanwood, then as a Union County Freeholder. I am currently in my fourth term as an Assemblywoman representing New Jersey's 22nd Legislative District. I am married with three grown children. I graduated from The American University.

Goals:

I’m running for Congress because the Bush administration has led our country in the wrong direction, and I'll fight to get us back on the right track. In Washington, I’ll bring the changes New Jersey families need. I’ll fight to create more good-paying jobs and jumpstart an economy on the brink of recession; I’ll bring our troops from Iraq safely and soon, and will demand timetables for withdrawal within a year; I’ll work to develop a real national energy policy that will lower gas prices and end our dangerous dependence on foreign oil; and I’ll fight to provide every American access to quality, affordable healthcare. It’s time we have a representative in Washington who will stand up for New Jersey families.

Issues:

I'll fight to jumpstart our economy and bring down gas prices, bring our troops home from Iraq and demand timetables for withdrawal within a year, and work to provide every American with access to quality, affordable healthcare.

Grassroots Support:

Grassroots organizing will enable us to build our volunteer base and grow our field program. We lost by only 1% in 2006, and this time will be just as close. We know this election will be won on the ground, and that's why I'm out every day talking to voters about the real issues that matter to 7th District families. We will need a tremendously strong grassroots effort to combat the negative attacks the Republicans will inevitably throw our way.

DFA Values:

I am enquivocally pro-choice, and have been endorsed by both EMILY's List and the Sierra Club. In the New Jersey Assembly, I wrote the Global Warming Response Act, which made New Jersey the first state in the nation to enact mandatory caps on carbon emissions. Through my experiences as a mayor and freeholder, I understand the need to balance budgets and create middle class tax cuts. In Congress, I would be an advocate for New Jersey families and always look out for their interests, not the special interests.