Businessman Rich Pezzullo of Freehold Township has been nominated to run for a seat in the U.S. Congress as the Republican challenger to Democrat Frank Pallone, who has represented central New Jersey in Washington, D.C., for a generation.
Pezzullo formally accepted the Republican nomination to face Pallone in New Jersey’s Sixth Congressional District shortly after polls closed in the June 5 primary election. A term in Congress is for two years. Pallone has been a congressman for 15 terms.
“It is an honor to represent the party of Lincoln, Eisenhower and Reagan,” Pezzullo said. “Tonight, I am pausing to celebrate this victory and appreciate the weight of responsibility that has been placed on my shoulders.
“I have been given the formidable responsibility of defeating a career politician who has failed his constituents over and over. The difficulty and the moral urgency of this race is not lost on me.
“We face a registration disadvantage and Frank Pallone has hidden behind gerrymandering to win this seat 15 times despite his consistent and blatant failure to provide meaningful representation in Washington,” Pezzullo said.
Pezzullo pointed to President Donald Trump’s accomplishments and what he called a wave of anti-establishment fervor as evidence he could defeat Pallone.
“Americans are getting more money in their pockets. We’re solving problems at home and abroad. The president’s approval rating has been rebounding since December and with everything he’s getting done, it’s only going to keep climbing,” Pezzullo said. “With the help of my family, my supporters and almighty God, I know victory is within our reach. I am going to work hard every day to hold Frank Pallone accountable, and I am optimistic about the results in November.”
A spokesman for Pallone could not be reached for comment.
According to Pezzullo’s campaign, New Jersey’s Sixth Congressional District contains all or portions of two counties and 32 municipalities.
In Middlesex County, those municipalities are Carteret, Edison, Highland Park, Metuchen, New Brunswick, part of Old Bridge, Perth Amboy, Piscataway, Sayreville, South Amboy, South Plainfield and Woodbridge.
In Monmouth County, those municipalities are Aberdeen Township, Allenhurst, Asbury Park, Atlantic Highlands, Deal, Hazlet, Highlands, Interlaken, Keansburg, Keyport, Loch Arbour, Long Branch, Marlboro, Matawan, part of Middletown, Monmouth Beach, Oceanport, Sea Bright, Union Beach and West Long Branch.
A member of Congress does not have to reside in the district he or she represents. The U.S. Constitution requires that members of the House of Representatives be at least 25 years old, have been a U.S. citizen for at least seven years, and live in the state they represent, according to history.house.gov