BY JOHN DUNPHY
Staff Writer
Jeffrey Pawlowski SAYREVILLE — Jeffrey Pawlowski is throwing his political hat into a much bigger ring.
The former Democratic borough councilman, who last year made an unsuccessful bid for a council seat on the Libertarian ticket, is running again. This time, he is seeking to be governor of New Jersey.
“If no one’s bringing up
the issues, we’ll never have any change,” said the
45-year-old father of two. “Our main thing is to send a message that we’re dissatisfied with government in New Jersey, and people need a choice.”
The Libertarian Party, described as “a true independent opposition party” by the New Jersey chapter’s official Web site, www.njlp.org, was founded in 1971 in Colorado and has since spread to all 50 states.
Pawlowski, a 14-year resident of Sayreville, served as councilman from 1999-2001 and as a Planning Board member from 1997-2001. He ran for council with 19-year-old running mate Chris Koszalka last year in a race that was won by Democratic incumbent Thomas Pollando and his running mate, Daniel Buchanan.
Pawlowski has said his decision to change parties about two years ago was in an effort to “open up the government,” citing a need for people to have more choices than they have with the common two-party system.
“Look at the total dissatisfaction of the people of New Jersey,” he said. “They have no choice. Their choices are the same two parties that have run for the last 100 years.”
“Nobody ever does anything,” Pawlowski added.
The current frontrunners for governor are Democrat Jon Corzine and Republicans Doug Forrester and Bret Schundler.
Pawlowski said his party is looking to gather 1,600 signatures — double what is needed in order to run — to jump-start his first-ever bid for governor. He said the Libertarian Party is currently raising $30,000 to allow the state chapter to do a nationwide mailing, informing all Libertarians about his campaign.
The ultimate goal, Pawlowski said, is to raise $300,000, the amount required to gain additional funding from the state. If that amount is raised, a candidate is also required to participate in public debates.
“If we can get into those debates, it’s going to make a big difference,” Pawlowski said.
Though he acknowledges the challenges involved in running for the highest political office in the state, Pawlowski said he is looking forward to getting across the message that people will have more than just two choices for governor when they vote in November.
“I think it’s almost impossible to win with the way the system is,” he said. “But sometimes you don’t have to win to change things.”
“Get me into the debates,” Pawlowski added. “If we can get into the debates, we’ll bring up the questions that need to be asked.”
More information about Pawlowski and his campaign can be found at www.pawlowskiforgovernor.org.