The lone Republican on the 11th Congressional District ballot says he supports some ICE reforms, though he wants police in New Jersey, a sanctuary state, to work with immigration authorities.
Joe Hathaway, a Randolph councilman and former mayor, will face progressive Democrat Analilia Mejia and independent candidates in an April 16 special election. The victor will fill the seat vacated by Democrat Mikie Sherrill, who resigned when she was elected governor in November.
“There are things we can do with ICE to both reform what’s going on and operate more effectively and a little more safely in our communities,” Hathaway, 38, told NJ Spotlight News. “We need to come to the table across the aisle to remove some of these restrictions that are placed on our local police officers that that keeps them from keeping peaceful protests safe and allowing federal law enforcement to do their job.”
Hathaway, whose district favored Republicans until it was redrawn, also criticized fellow Republican President Donald Trump for blocking congressionally approved funding for Gateway, the $16 billion Hudson River passenger rail tunnel project. Trump froze federal aid for Gateway, idling almost 1,000 construction workers, and the matter is now in federal court.
“The president shouldn’t be using this project as a pawn,” Hathaway said. “This is jobs. This is a huge commuter district. Our residents need this project in more ways than one.”
Hathaway also pitched plans to cap student loan interest rates and to give federal tax credits to first-time home buyers.
“Homeownership is critical for young people to get their start and to plant their roots in our communities, and it’s just right now something that’s completely out of touch for a lot of folks,” Hathaway said.
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