Supporters urged to work beyond the borders of the 12th District
By: Courtney Gross
LAWRENCE In a crowded, practically windowless office suite dozens of local residents from across Mercer County gathered despite the blistering heat to express their support for U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (D-12) as he opened the doors to his new campaign headquarters.
Standing elbow to elbow, residents shook the congressman’s hand and asked how they could help bring Rep. Holt back for his fifth term in office. Some wore T-shirts which touted the campaign slogan, "My congressman is a rocket scientist," recalling Rep. Holt’s background in physics.
Calling the upcoming election less of a challenge for him personally than previous contests, Rep. Holt encouraged his supporters to travel beyond the borders of the 12th District to help other Democrats take office.
His message was clear: It’s time to take back Washington.
"My opposition this year does not look that strong," Rep. Holt said of his Republican challenger, Joseph Sinagra, but, "the causes we’re fighting for are no less," he added.
With less than 100 days until the November election, Rep. Holt introduced the new "Committee of 100," who will turn out to help Democrats around the state.
Following musical interludes of "Happy Days are Here Again" provided by Jerry Rife’s Rhythm Kings, a Dixieland and traditional jazz band that has played for Rep. Holt for the past eight years, the congressman detailed the ups and downs of the previous week in Washington.
Rep. Holt chastised the passing of the minimum wage bill last week by the House, claiming the proposal was set up to fail through its tie to an extension of the estate tax bill. Although the minimum wage would be increased to $7.25, the bill provides for a large cut in inheritance taxes.
"There’s got to be a better way," Rep. Holt said. "They’re increasing the gap between the rich and the poor."
First elected in 1998, Rep. Holt said he was tired of being in the minority and is ready to take a seat as the majority party in Congress.
He called on supporters to volunteer for state Assemblywoman Linda Stender’s congressional campaign in the 7th District. Assemblywoman Stender (D-Scotch Plains), who attended the grand opening of Rep. Holt’s headquarters, is challenging incumbent Rep. Mike Ferguson.
Other local politicians also made appearances to pledge their support for Rep. Holt, including Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh of West Windsor, Councilwoman Barbara Pfeifer of West Windsor, Mercer County Freeholder Pat Colavita Jr., Princeton Borough Mayor Mildred Trotman, and many more.
As an incumbent, Rep. Holt said a campaign’s energy could dwindle after almost a decade in office. But due to the direction the nation is taking, he noted, there is a passionate interest in changing the face of the congressional leadership.
"By the time they get to their fifth or sixth term in Congress, the enthusiasm might subside a little bit," Rep. Holt said. "But as you can see, the energy is still really high," he added referring to the overcrowded room.
This enthusiasm was evident in some of the supporters’ commitment to volunteer for the congressman. Linda Seiler, a resident of Old Bridge and vice president of the New Jersey Library Trustees Association, said she has already signed up to volunteer. Rep. Holt’s stance on the Patriot Act and libraries has kept Ms. Seiler by his side, she added.
"I’ve been a constituent of Rush’s for many years," Ms. Seiler said. "And I feel he supports the ideas I believe in."
Although some of Rep. Holt’s support was seen in the laughter and cheering resonating off of the room’s walls, other backing can be seen in his campaign fund.
According to the most recent campaign finance reports from the Federal Election Commission, Rep. Holt’s campaign committee has received over $983,000 as of the end of June. In the 2004 election cycle, Rep. Holt raised over $1.5 million, according to the FEC.
Figures for Rep. Holt’s challenger were not available.