Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey: New Jersey roundup


New Jersey is holding elections, including for state legislative offices, on Nov. 7, 2023. A number of candidates running in these elections completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office.

Below is a selection of responses from the candidates who filled out the survey as of June 21. To read each candidate’s full responses, click their name at the bottom of the article.

Shawn Peck (Libertarian) is running for New Jersey State Senate District 2 and the general election is on Nov. 7. Here’s how Peck responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

“Personal freedoms and spending. Budgets are not something many people are passionate about but should be. Every decision made by the Governor and the legislature impacts your quality of life and your personal experience as a NJ resident. We saw the disastrous effects of the state picking winners and losers through the COVID era. Maybe your business closed as a result of it. We also saw an unsettling number of people willing to give up their rights because so called experts said so. We’ve seen reckless spending at the state level and there is bipartisan blame to go around. As a libertarian, I would never support the wasteful tax and spend agenda that has become commonplace in the state; or ever advocate limiting peoples right to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.”

Click here to read the rest of Peck’s answers. 

Nashawn Vazquez (independent) is running for New Jersey General Assembly District 11 and the general election is on Nov. 7. Here’s how Vazquez responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

“Social, Healthcare, Education, Economic, Environmental, and Infrastructure.”

Click here to read the rest of Vazquez’s answers. 

If you’re a New Jersey candidate or incumbent, click here to take the survey. The survey contains over 30 questions, and you can choose the ones you feel will best represent your views to voters. If you complete the survey, a box with your answers will display on your Ballotpedia profile. Your responses will also populate the information that appears in our mobile app, My Vote Ballotpedia.

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