Democrat set to challenge Rep. Ferguson

GOP fails to run candidate in June primary in Rep. Holt’s district

By: Emily Craighead
   Incumbent Republican Mike Ferguson and a lone Democrat filed petitions to run for election in the Seventh Congressional District before the Monday deadline.
   The Democrat, Assemblywoman Linda Stender (D-Scotch Plains), has served in the General Assembly since 2002. She is vice chairwoman of the Transportation and Public Works Committee, and served on the Health and Senior Services and Tourism and Gaming Committees. She has served as mayor of Fanwood Borough, and she was on the Union County Board of Freeholders from 1994 to 2002.
   U.S. Rep. Ferguson, who was first elected in 2000, serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. He is a resident of New Providence. In 2005, he received the "Outstanding Legislator of the Year" award from the New Jersey Veterans of Foreign Wars.
   The 7th District comprises parts of Hunterdon, Middlesex, Somerset and Union counties.
   Incumbent Democrat U.S. Rep. Rush Holt is the only candidate to have filed in the 12th Congressional District, which comprises parts of Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth and Somerset Counties.
   A Hopewell Township resident, Rep. Holt has served in Congress since 1998. He serves on the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.