New Jersey’s 11th-District Senate race heats up as Gopal challenges Beck
Governor Chris Christie's poor approval ratings could have a ripple effect come November in several New Jersey elections including in the 11th District State Senate race.
Former Monmouth County Democratic Party Chairman Vin Gopal vacated that position last year to challenge Republican State Senator Jennifer Beck in this upcoming November election.
"I believe as a New Jersey State Senator I can lend a voice to economic improvement and stagnation that for far too long has existed in New Jersey," said Gopal.
He says he'll campaign to make the Garden State more affordable and his plan includes advocating for shared services and a consolidation of health care costs and public works contracts.
Among his campaign promises is ensuring the school funding formula is fair for every municipality and district.
"We need a fair funding formula that's actually funded," said Gopal. "That's the only way New Jersey is going to move in the right direction."
He said he supports the school funding formula proposal put forth by Senate President Steve Sweeney to have a non-partisan panel designate the amount of funding each district receives.
Despite a Democratic stronghold in the legislature, Gopal believes the blame for a blockage of measures in Trenton falls on Republicans and Governor Christie.
"We have seen an extraordinary amount of waste in taxpayer abuse over the last seven years," said Gopal. "Jen Beck has been a critical part of this as a foot-soldier for Chris Christie."
Despite Beck staunchly opposing Christie's plan to increase the gas tax in 2016, he believes, "she says she opposes a gas tax in the neighboring (13th) legislative district which is a vacant seat, " said Gopal, who added, "she endorses Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon who is the sponsor of the gas tax for a State Senate Seat."
He says there needs to be more unity in both houses moving forward.
Gopal says his campaign being run this year will mirror that of Gubernatorial candidate Phil Murphy to run as an outsider.
"I am an outsider of Trenton, Senator Beck has been a creature of Trenton her entire life," said Gopal. "Not just in the legislature but prior to that as a lobbyist."
He feels his experience as Democratic Party Chairman in Monmouth County, President of the Hazlet Business Owners Association and a Chamber of Commerce Board seat are valuable assets in helping shape New Jersey's future.
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