Groups spar in gubernatorial race

As New Jersey's gubernatorial election approaches on Nov. 8, University students are weighing the pros and cons of candidates Doug Forrester and Senator Jon Corzine. Both College Democrats and College Republicans are convinced their respective choices will best serve the University in the next four years.

Students supporting Forrester cite his commitment to service, his plans to lower property taxes and his education policies as reasons for members of the University to support him, while students in favor of Corzine tout his economic and education policies and health care plan.

Both groups stressed the importance of paying attention to the upcoming election, as the New Jersey governor not only shapes state policy but also serves as an ex officio member of the University's Board of Trustees.

"The New Jersey governorship is widely considered the most powerful governorship in the country," College Democrats communications director Laura Boyce '07 said. "It's important for Princeton students to extend their civic engagement beyond voting in presidential elections to becoming involved in local and state politics, which often are equally relevant to their lives."

The College Republicans campaign chair Sandeep Murthy '06 also encouraged students to participate in the campaigns.

"All too often, Princeton students spend four years here without taking the time to learn about issues concerning the surrounding community and New Jersey as a whole," Murthy said. "This election is only one of two statewide races in the country this year, so it's important to take note and get involved."

He added that Forrester's leadership in business and government will make him "a governor that Princeton students can be proud of."

Forrester, who earned a master's degree in divinity from the Princeton Theological Seminary in 1983, has served as Assistant State Treasurer under Governor Tom Kean, Pension Director for New Jersey's pension and healthcare systems and mayor of West Windsor. He co-owns Benecard, a pharmacy benefits management company, and Heartland Fidelity, an insurance company.

College Republicans president Dylan Hogarty '06 said Forrester will also lower the cost of living for University faculty and area students by cutting property taxes by 30 percent in the next three years, and Forrester's policy director Heather Grizzle said his education policies will benefit University students as well.

"As Governor, Doug will appoint a Corporate-Higher Education Advisory Council to engage the corporate community in higher education and to make certain that university faculty and staff have the tools to train students," she said.

Grizzle added that Forrester also plans to end the "pay-to-play" system that gives government contracts to political donors and costs taxpayers an estimated $1 billion every year.

College Democrats president Frances Schendle '06, however, argued that Corzine's policies would better serve the University's interests.

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"Corzine's experience in the U.S. Senate and his outstanding plans to improve New Jersey make him the best candidate by far," she said. "With respect to education in particular, he promises to increase spending for research and development efforts in New Jersey universities."

Corzine began serving as a New Jersey senator in 2001 for the term ending in 2007. He was the chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee during the 2004 election cycle, and is a member of the U.S. Senate Committees on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; Intelligence; Budget; and Energy and Natural Resources.

Brendan Gilfillan, a spokesman for Corzine, said the Senator's health care and economic policies would benefit University students.

Under Corzine's healthcare proposal, 19- to 30-year-olds would be allowed to remain under their parents' health insurance plans, alleviating a major concern of graduating students, he said.

Corzine also plans "to stimulate economic growth by investing in the high tech sector through the Edison Innovation Fund and by making strategic investments in our ports and, most importantly, in our citizens," Gilfillan said. "For Princeton students who are nearing graduation and starting to worry about their future, a stronger economy means a higher likelihood of finding good paying jobs."

Though Corzine, like Forrester, believes that New Jersey residents deserve lower property taxes, Corzine also emphasizes the need for more state funds directed at higher education. Gilfillan compared Corzine's tax plan to that of Forrester's, which he says will cost the state nearly $9 billion.

"Princeton students should ask Mr. Forrester how the state will continue to support higher education with a $9 billion hole blown in the state budget," Gilfillan said. "We've seen this movie in Washington: George Bush gave billions in tax cuts to the wealthy, and students across the nation have seen cuts in Pell Grants and other higher education programs. We don't think Princeton students want to see that show coming to the Garden Theatre."

The College Democrats are currently active in local and state Democratic organizations for the Corzine Connection, have had two phone banking drives and are planning more phone banking and voter education opportunities.

The College Republicans have made phone calls at the Forrester campaign headquarters.