Douglas Forrester, the Republican candidate for Senate, has not always been a Princeton fan. Born and raised in California, he went to college at Harvard University, where he graduated in 1975 with a degree in politics and government.
After graduating, though, he settled in nearby West Windsor, where he has lived ever since. He has even earned a Princeton degree — a master's in theology — though it came from the Princeton Theological Seminary rather than the University. He has been married 27 years and has three children.
Forrester, who served as mayor of West Windsor in the early 1980s, made millions in the health care benefits business before embarking on his Senate bid.
His company BeneCard Services sells prescription drug benefit plans to large organizations. His net worth is approximately $50 million, according to tax records, and he has invested nearly $7 million in his Senate campaign.
Forrester's campaign struggled to find a new message after Democrat Sen. Robert Torricelli's withdrawal from the race made criticism of Torricelli a moot point for voters, and he now appears likely to lose the hard-fought race for Senate.
The most recent polls show Forrester seven to 10 points behind new Democratic opponent Frank Lautenberg, a 78-year-old former senator who has run a largely quiet campaign since replacing Torricelli.
Bill Pascoe, Forrester's campaign manager, has said the polls are misleading because Republican voters are more dedicated than Democrats, and are more likely to turn out at the polls on Tuesday.
President Bush campaigned for Forrester in September, but declined a request to return to New Jersey this weekend for a second round of campaigning. Former President Clinton, meanwhile, led a get-out-the-vote rally on Saturday for Lautenberg.
On the campaign trail, Forrester has focused on his views on national defense, which include a commitment to investing in the missile defense systems favored by Bush. He has questioned Lautenberg's commitment to defense, pointing to votes the Democrat cast while serving in the Senate.
Forrester has made a habit of noting that Lautenberg voted against the Persian Gulf War in 1991 and repeatedly voted to reduce defense spending. Forrester says he is in favor of a strong military. But Lautenberg, a World War II veteran, points out that Forrester has never served in the armed forces.
Throughout the campaign, Forrester has worked hard to portray himself as a moderate in a state that traditionally leans Democratic. Meanwhile, both Democratic candidates have described him as "out of step" with New Jersey voters, noting his stances on abortion, the environment and gun control.
Forrester describes himself as pro-choice and has said he would not favor outlawing abortion. But he has also said he does not think the government should fund abortions except in cases where the woman is a victim of rape or the pregnancy is threatening her life.
"I support choice . . . but choice doesn't mean other people should pay for your choice," Forrester said during a debate on Saturday.
On gun control, Forrester has echoed the view of many Republicans that the government should focus on strict enforcement of existing gun laws, rather than passing new ones.
Read More
GSG approves audit, delays budget approval after ‘insufferable’ meeting
Nikki HanThe final Graduate Student Government (GSG) meeting for the semester lasted more than an hour and a half when discussions over the proposed budget for the next year and a proposed Student Life Fee of $100 turned controversial.
The final Graduate Student Government (GSG) meeting for the semester lasted more than an hour and a half when discussions over the proposed budget for the next year and a proposed Student Life Fee of $100 turned controversial.
Effort to restore chapel’s pews slowly progresses
Ben GoldstonHead carpenter Jim Sullivan has been restoring the Chapel pews over the last year. The dry atmosphere of the Chapel has warped the wooden pews over the years.
Head carpenter Jim Sullivan has been restoring the Chapel pews over the last year. The dry atmosphere of the Chapel has warped the wooden pews over the years.
Metals, molecules, and medicine: chemical biology’s influence on health and sustainability
Aanya KaseraChemistry professor Chris Chang’s lab studies the chemical biology of the elements, specifically examining the roles that copper, iron, and zinc play in biology across all kingdoms of life.
Chemistry professor Chris Chang’s lab studies the chemical biology of the elements, specifically examining the roles that copper, iron, and zinc play in biology across all kingdoms of life.