Two major gubernatorial elections are on the Election 2017
campaign horizon. I
wrote about the Virginia race one week ago. Ed Gillespie is now winning by focusing
on Virginians’ day-to-day needs. More importantly, he is also doubling-down on
his opposition to illegal immigration, and its deleterious consequences like
the rising crime, gang activity, bad traffic, and diminishing quality of life.
Across the Chesapeake, another governor’s race is raging.
New Jersey, a colonial outpost for Quakers before the American Revolution, has
turned into another California-style outpost of the urban-suburban divide, where
compacted cities have been out-voting the more conservative rural and suburban
regions, all to the state’s detriment.
But New Jersey should be another solid GOP win, right? After
all, the outgoing governor, former federal prosecutor Chris Christie, won a
stunning upset in 2009 over an unpopular incumbent. The issues then were a
depressed economy and corruption. Property taxes had gone up 110 times, pension
liabilities were devouring city budgets, all while teacher’s unions were running
amok. Voters were looking for change. Under Christie’s tenure, jobs have come
back. The state’s anti-corruption ratings improved considerably. He eased the
tax burden somewhat. Nevertheless, in 2017 New Jersey is still over-taxed,
over-regulated, and crime-ridden.
Christie’s potential successor, Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno,
started campaigning by targeting the property tax burden. The costs are
staggering. A property tax on $145,000 home in New Jersey costs $5000 a year.
In California, a million dollar costs the owner $15,000 in property taxes. Incredible.
Christie instituted a property tax cap, which the Democratic candidate Phil
Murphy will remove in order to give away the store to public sector unions. Sadly,
promising relief on property taxes hasn’t helped Guadagno. More government
takers are moving into New Jersey, and they want taxpayer-funded largesse from
Trenton. The diminishing middle class will still pay, since they can’t outvote
the moochers on their own. In these respects, New Jersey has turned into
California, minus the sunny weather.
However, Guadagno can still Make New Jersey Great Again, if
she campaigns on the issues elected Trump: illegal immigration. During their
first debate, Murphy announced that the 22,000
illegal alien youths are “just as American” as his own kids. That didn’t go
over very well. Then he boldly promised
to turn New Jersey into a
sanctuary state for illegal aliens--just like the once Golden State. The
audience booed the Democratic candidate—loudly. New Jersey may be a blue state,
but they’re wise enough—like
their Marylander counterparts—to reject open borders and open defiance with
federal immigration authorities. What’s
could also hurt for Democratic chances? The Green Party candidate is hiding
illegals in his own church!
This storm could have initiated the perfect out for
Guadagno. Her considerable public safety resume includes federal prosecutor and
county sheriff. As Monmouth County Sheriff, she not only implemented programs
to find missing persons, but cooperated fully with ICE to enter the jails and
deport criminal illegals.
Like the governor’s race in Virginia, illegal immigration can
be the winning issue for the New Jersey Republican candidate. The latest illegal
alien crimes committed in New Jersey are staggering:
Illegal
immigrant admits raping sleeping Princeton woman
Repeatedly deported immigrant returned to rape ex in NJ — now faces life in prison
Repeatedly deported immigrant returned to rape ex in NJ — now faces life in prison
The horrendous child rape took place three days prior to
their first debate!
Granted, deportations are up in
a state currently housing 500,000 illegals, but sanctuary state provisions
will frustrate these efforts. A Republican in deep-blue New Jersey should find
smoother sailing into election victory. Guadagno still faces challenges because
of her party affiliation, not just from the 2-to-1 Democratic voter
registration advantage. She and Christie have parted ways. She was one of the first
to criticize him for getting some sun on state beaches during the state’s
government shutdown. Once the most governor in the country, Christie’s now epic
low approval ratings could harm Guadagno, too.
How else does Guadagno stand apart from Christie? She’s
pro-choice, which could burn bridges with the much-needed conservative base. She
also differs with Christie over President Trump. A cautious supporter until the
Billy Bush Leak, Guadagno threw him overboard towards the end. She’s paying the
price now, since President Trump prizes loyalty, and state officials who backed
away from him over a little locker talk earned his ire.
Vote Guadagno |
Then again, Alabama’s incumbent appointed US Senator Luther
Strange had Trump’s endorsement and still lost, so all is not lost for
Guadagno. Also to her credit, she’s got an “A” rating from the National Rifle
Association, compared to Christie’s tepid “C” rating). Another win for the former
sheriff: she stood proudly by her high rating, then announced in the first
televised debate that she would not punish law-abiding gun owners with more gun
control—New Jersey Is one of the most restrictive states in the country. She
refused to politicize the horrific Las Vegas massacre.
Despite initial setbacks and a slow move to the right on
safety issues, Guadagno is running a more Trump-like platform. Her strong
stance on illegal immigration may cement a win for the former prosecutor and
first Lieutenant Governor in State History.
However, with the Christie legacy behind her and a heavily
Democratic field in front of her, can she close the gap by Election Day? Michele
of the New Jersey Tea
Party Coalition informed me: “No conservative will support Phil Murphy due
to his stance and admittance to increasing taxes, standing behind sanctuary and
wanting to make NJ a sanctuary state. He
is another Goldman Sachs fellow and will be another Corzine.” Michele will
support Guadagno, but won’t speak for other New Jerseyans. Will they turn out
for this under-the-radar election? Perhaps her next commercial should feature
Kate Steinle, her gruesome death, and then a question: “Phil Murphy wants murderers
on our boardwalks. Do you?”
Let’s hope New Jersey voters reject “Going California” and
elect Kim Guadagno in November.
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