October 17, 2012
Dear Editor:
I was dismayed by the Inquirer’s recent editorial endorsing candidate Shelley Adler over current NJ-3 Congressman Jon Runyan. I wanted to share my views about what a great job Congressman Runyan has done for South Jersey, and what a tremendous advocate he has been for his constituents.
Since Jon was elected to Congress, he took with him the attitude that he was there to represent everyone. We all know that NJ-3 isn’t a stronghold for Democrats or Republicans, and Jon knew from the get-go that in order to be effective for South Jersey, he would work with everyone. Jon has a strong bi-partisan record, which is why he has been endorsed by labor organizations like mine, the International Union of Operating Engineers, as well as business groups, such as the US Chamber of Commerce.
While the Inquirer Editorial seems to have focused on national issues, which have pitted national Democrats against national Republicans, they failed to mention that Jon has focused on his constituents in South Jersey. For example:
- As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Jon has worked to bring critical military construction funds to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, which is the second largest employer in the entire state. Not only has he fought for those dollars, he’s also worked to ensure that local companies get construction business at the Joint Base.
- Jon also has a record of working across party lines to ensure federal funding for both Police and Fire personnel in New Jersey. He successfully increased federal dollars for Byrne-JAG grants, which help local police departments, as well as FIRE grants, which assist New Jersey fire departments.
Jon is a rare example of who we should be sending to Washington. A man who will work across the aisle in order to get the best possible solutions for South Jersey. Jon is not about partisanship and just representing Republicans. He’s about working with all stakeholders to get results.
When voters go to the polls in November, I ask them to consider this: Who is an independent thinker with the record of working specifically for South Jersey? The answer is clear: Congressman Jon Runyan.
Sincerely,
Greg Lalevee, Business Manager
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825
PDF: Letter to Editor of Philadelphia Inquirer endorsing reelection of Congressman Jon Runyan