Herbert, Others Call Again on Congressional Incumbent to Debate

Democratic candidate for New Jersey's 11th district in the U.S. House of Representatives Douglas Herbert held a press conference Wednesday, Aug. 25, on what some might call enemy territory.

He held it right outside the Republican campaign headquarters.

During the lightly-attended press conference, in which members of several organizations–including the Morris County chapter of the NAACP and Sparta Unites, an organization comprised of Sparta residents–stood with the Democratic candidate, he again called on eight-term incumbent U.S. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen to participate in a debate. The debate was first offered on July 28.

"It has been four weeks since my invitation was delivered," he said in front of the podium. "In those four weeks, three other groups have also extended debate invitations to each of us." Besides the NAACP and Sparta Unites, Herbert said Ridge High School and the Basking Ridge League of Women Voters also has expressed interest in a debate.

Herbert said a statement was received by Frelinghuysen's office stating the congressman was still checking his fall schedule. "So, we're here today to once again call on my opponent to participate in one of the finest traditions in American politics, a debate."

He said the debate was important because "the people of the 11th District are struggling to make ends meet. They deserve a congressman who will address their concerns and tell them what solutions he has to offer them. As candidates for the House of Representatives, my opponent and I owe it to the people, regardless of their party affiliation, to hold honest and open debates about the future of New Jersey and our nation."

Leslie Hune, a member of Sparta Unites, also spoke at the press conference. "We want a debate," she said. "New Jersey voters deserve, taxpayers deserve and most importantly, the children of New Jersey deserve it."

Hune, a registered Independent, said some members of her organization are Republican and have asked her, "'why are we Republicans?' They don't know why they're Republicans anymore," she said.

Herbert said Frelinghuysen has, as a congressman, "a long record of not representing the people of the district.

"I think people in this district are now aware of that," he said. "If we get our message out there, the people will see there is somebody better for them."

When asked to respond to the press conference, Frelinghuysen said in an e-mailed statement, "I am still planning for what promises to be a busy fall schedule. Over the course of the campaign, however, I look forward to a steady dialogue with voters regarding how best to create jobs, fix our economy and fight back against the Obama-Pelosi agenda of ever-growing government, unprecedented federal spending and more taxes."