Lance GS ’82 runs for seat in Congress

Lance, a New Jersey native who received his MPA from the Wilson School, was first elected to the State Senate in November 2001, after serving on the General Assembly since 1991. Voters reelected Lance to the State Senate in 2003 and 2007. Lance is now running for Congress in New Jersey’s seventh district, seeking to replace incumbent Mike Ferguson (R-N.J.), who is not running for reelection. His opponent is Democratic State Assemblywoman Linda Stender. She could not be reached for comment.

The Republican candidate labels himself as a moderate. “I agree with Republicans nationally on certain issues and disagree on other issues and will be an independent voice in Congress,” he explained in an interview.

Getting his start at the University

Lance lauded the Wilson School’s program and its focus on public service.

“The fact that Princeton believes in service to the nation and the world is emblematic of what Wilson [School] students try to achieve,” he explained.

Friends and colleagues from his time at the University remember Lance as one who was very open about his passion for politics.

Ingrid Reed, then-associate dean of the Wilson School, noted that Lance took the time to master theoretical politics and economics courses, but his heart lay in the Garden State.

“We really got to know each other because of our joint passion for New Jersey and its politics,” Reed said, adding that Lance “would honor Princeton if he were elected.”

“I guess I think he always knew that [he] would be in public service, which is why he came here to get his master’s degree,” said Ann Corwin, the current director of graduate career services and alumni relations for the Wilson School. She added that Lance “is one of the most honest, principled people I have ever met.”

Reed noted that Lance struck a unique balance between the theoretical study of politics and its practical application.

“It was just terrific to have someone come to the graduate program that had such an appreciation for politics for the practical side of it, but was so committed [to] having the graduate program ... inform his career,” she said.

Lance noted that his friendships from his time at the University have carried over into public life.

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“I made many, many lasting friendships at Princeton, and certainly those with whom I studied are involved in national and international policy,” he said.

The election

Lance trailed Stender by $1.1 million in cash on hand at the June 30 disclosure deadline, after he was forced to spend significant amounts of money during a primary fight for the Republican nomination.

In an effort to make up that lost ground, Lance and Third-District GOP candidate Chris Myers are holding a fundraiser with President Bush on Sept. 22 in Colts Neck, N.J.

Stender used news of the event to tie the Republican candidates to the president’s policies, who had a 15 percent approval rating in New Jersey according to the most recent poll by Strategic Vision.

Both candidates are abortion rights advocates and support stem-cell research. Earlier this month, however, Stender issued a statement criticizing Lance for praising Sen. John McCain’s selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate.

“Leonard Lance has endorsed an extreme, right-wing agenda that is out-of-touch with the values of 7th District voters,” she said. “Gov. Palin opposes abortion even in cases of rape or incest, opposes lifesaving stem cell research, and doesn’t believe in man-made global warming. New Jersey families need real change, not more of the same failed Bush policies we have suffered under for the past eight years and that Leonard Lance continues to proudly support.”

Lance, who champions himself as an opponent of high taxes and wasteful spending, has focused his platform on strengthening the economy and reducing budget deficits at the federal and state levels. Lance also advocates increasing access to affordable healthcare, though he does not believe in a nationalized system.

Labeling himself as an environmentalist, Lance supports increasing tax incentives for hybrid and hydrogen vehicles and eliminating tariffs that prevent the import of alternative forms of energy. Additionally, as part of an effort to lower gas prices, Lance said he believes in suspending deposits in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

Lance said he believes that fiscal restraint differentiates him most from Stender. “My opponent has voted for massive borrowing without voter approval in New Jersey,” Lance explained.

Lance, noting his concern for economy, will not vote to raise taxes if elected. “I think we’re in an economic downturn,” he said, explaining that “it’s counterproductive to raise taxes during an economic downturn.”

The candidate blames the current national budget deficit on both Democrats and Republicans, however, explaining that both parties need to do more to keep spending in check.

“He’s the kind of guy who I think can work across party lines,” Corwin said.

Lance said he disagrees with Bush’s veto of an expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which would have expanded state contributions to families with children for health insurance.

“I favor having as many Americans as possible covered,” he said.

Lance and Stender will meet tonight for their first public debate.