By Michael Purzycki, Somerset
To the editor:
Throughout his years in Congress, U.S. Rep. Rush Holt, D-12, has been a great representative for Central Jersey in Washington, D.C.
Now that he’s retiring, voters in the 12th Congressional District have a chance to pick another person who will be just as smart, just as progressive, and just as committed to the priorities we hold dear.
Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula, D-17, is just the person for the job.
I was at a Democratic candidates’ debate last week, and Mr. Chivukula was clearly the candidate with the best command of the issues and the best insight into what can make the American economy work for all of us.
His background as an engineer, his devotion to science and education, and his commitment to opportunity and fairness reminded me of Holt, someone who’s done Central Jersey proud for sixteen years. The more I read about the candidates, the more convinced I am that Mr. Chivukula deserves our support.
In the state assembly, Mr. Chivukula has always fought hard for greater use of clean energy, for investment in new technologies, and for high-quality schools for all New Jersey kids.
He’s introduced a bill that would bring education in high-tech fields to schools, and another to create Innovation Zones where businesses, hospitals, and universities can work together on research that grows the economy and creates new jobs.
He knows what’s needed to make sure a growing economy works for everybody, and he’ll fight for those things in Washington.
At a time when Tea Party Republicans seem happy to cut funding for everything from Medicare to Obamacare, Mr. Chivukula knows America can’t cut its way to prosperity.
The Tea Party would inflict pain on seniors, the poor and the middle class so rich people could see their taxes go down.
Mr. Chivukula, on the other hand, supports raising the minimum wage, and will fight to make sure that our seniors don’t have to worry about being hit by unfair cuts to Social Security and Medicare.
The gap between the wealthy few and the rest of us is big enough already; let’s make sure we elect someone who wants to ensure that everybody has a fair chance.
On June 3, voters in the 12th Congressional District have chance to pick a Democrat to continue Rush Holt’s legacy. Let’s vote for Upendra Chivukula, and carry on the fight.
