By Lauren Otis, The Packet Group
With days remaining before the election, Republican challenger Alan Bateman appears to have an uphill battle in his challenge of Democratic incumbent Rush Holt for the 12th Congressional District seat.
”I think it’s highly doubtful that Bateman will be able to close the gap in this campaign,” said Ben Dworkin, director of Rider’s Rebovitch Institute for New Jersey Politics.
In a Oct. 23 debate between Mr. Bateman, deputy mayor of Holmdel, and Rep. Holt on the Rider campus, which he moderated, Mr. Dworkin said although the candidates differed on tax policy, the direction of the Democratically-controlled Congress, and other issues, he didn’t see anything that indicated an upset might occur in the 12th district.
”The district is not seen as competitive and the two parties haven’t gotten involved in the way they might have in a competitive race,” said Ingrid Reed, director of the New Jersey Project at Rutgers’ Eagleton Institute of Politics. As a result, Mr. Bateman has not received any outside fundraising support, while Rep. Holt has been able to raise his own funds as a popular incumbent, Ms. Reed said.
According to recent campaign finance filings with the Federal Election Commission, as of Oct. 15 Mr. Bateman had only $5,176.26 cash on hand while Rep. Holt had $756,289.02. At the Oct. 15 filing date, Rep. Holt’s campaign had raised a total of $936,575.78 compared to a total of $30,810 raised by Mr. Bateman’s campaign.
”It’s not to say that lightening can’t strike,” Mr. Dworkin said. However, Rep. Holt “is a popular and effective congressman who does a lot of constituent services,” he said. In a district which has been gerrymandered to suit Democrats, Rep. Holt’s views are also more in line with the district’s voters than Mr. Bateman’s, he added.
”I do think Bateman should be given credit for running a race that really represented his thinking, and the (Republican) party’s thinking to an extent,” said Ms. Reed. She also said Rep. Holt should be given credit for agreeing to hold debates, and engage in a public dialogue over the issues, with Mr. Bateman.

