In this year’s 2013 gubernatorial race, New Jersey State Senator Barbara Buono takes on the outspoken Governor Chris Christie. Governor Christie, elected in 2010, is the 55th governor of the Garden State. Since Chris Christie has been in office he has balanced our state budget without raising taxes and has created more than 120,000 private sector jobs. He also has expanded the education budget, making it the highest in the state’s history. Christie went to the areas that were most devastated by hurricane Sandy in 2012, telling people that New Jersey would get through it, even crossing party lines and meeting with president Obama to talk about funding for rebuilding the hardest hit areas.
Representing the democratic side is Barbara Buono. Right now she is serving as State Senator from 18th district. She sits on the budget chair and spends her time analyzing and rearranging to make the spending more efficient. Candidate Buono wrote a bill ensuring that all children would get an education no matter where they live. While serving in the state senate, Buono cosponsored an anti-bullying bill stating that no child should have to go to school in fear of being harassed. Candidate Buono has fought to preserve union rights for teachers, along with firefighters and police. To keep New Jersey residents safe, Buono wants to implement universal background checks along with stricter gun laws, like reducing the clip size of small capacity weapons of 10-15 bullets. Buono doesn’t want a similar Sandy Hook shooting in our state. Buono is fighting for women to receive equal pay since currently women in New Jersey earn 78 cents to every dollar a man makes. Candidate Buono wants further to preserve a woman’s right to choose and to receive the proper health care. During candidate Christie’s administration six women’s centers have closed.
Christie
• Wants to take control of our budget and try to reduce the deficit
• Wants to reform New Jersey’s educational system to increase teacher standards and student achievements levels
• Drafted a policy regarding renewable energy in the state to create jobs and lower energy costs for everyone
Buono
• Stands for marriage equality
• Fighting to protect our environment by using solar or solar power, wind power and reducing pollution
• Wants to expand healthcare programs for low income families in New Jersey
