Election 2012

Republican Leonard Lance Wins 7th Congressional District

Incumbent Lance defeated Democratic challenger Upendra Chivukula.

Republican Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ-07) will be heading back to Washington to begin his third term after defeating Democratic challenger Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula. Lance won 58 percent of the vote, with Chivukula capturing just 39 percent. Many believed the race was Lance's to lose, as the 7th Congressional district spans a largely Republican territory that includes Hunterdon, Middlesex, Somerset, and Union counties as well as parts of Morris.  Throughout his campaign, Lance stressed the need for reform to President Barack Obama's Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. He has also opposed the president's stimulus package. Locally, Lance has been an advocate for towns that faced devastation in the wake of Hurricane Irene. He …

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Gun Control: A Matter of Common Sense

An Op-Ed from State Assemblyman Upendra J. Chivukula (D) who is challenging Republican Leonard Lance for the U.S. Congress seat in the 7th District.

The culture of gun violence appears in our everyday lives whether it’s watching the local news, reading the newspaper, or going to the movies.  In some unfortunate shape or form, gun violence is present in our conscious minds constantly.  Responsible gun ownership should have common sense requirements.  Furthermore, irresponsible violent acts should not go without consequences. During one year, Canada had 144 deaths due to gun violence. Australia, 59.  Great Britain, 19. United States of America: 9,369. There is something very dreadfully wrong with that. In order to change the threat of random gun violence the culture of romanticizing it must be changed. We need to properly enforce the gun laws on the books, and not make them weaker by …

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George Roccabonso

11:29 am on Monday, August 27, 2012

Dude, you are a mental case.   more ›

Chivukula Condemns Killing at Wisconsin Sikh Temple

The NJ Assemblyman — who is running for the NJ 7th Congressional District seat — says he will closely monitor the investigation.

NJ Assembly Deputy Speaker Upendra J. Chivukula has condemned the actions of the gunman who shot six people to death and injured three others when he opened fire at a Sikh temple this Sunday in Wisconsin. The assailant himself, Wade Michael Page, was shot and killed by police. Chivukula issued the following statement:   "I am shocked and saddened by Sunday's senseless violence. "The killing of innocent people at the Sikh temple in Wisconsin is a dastardly act, made even more despicable by the fact that it was at a place of worship, where men, women and children congregate to offer prayers. "I plan to closely monitor the investigation of the killing, including allegations that racial bias may have been the motivation for the attack on a …

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newbie1

6:19 pm on Sunday, November 11, 2012

i think he mentions the racial bias aspect because there were reports that the guy thought the sikhs were muslims. after 9/11 evidentally ppl confused indian hindus and sikhs with muslims and went after them because they had brown skin. his reference had no implication abt whites as ur extracting. your right its not any better if he had shot up a Mosk, but mostly they are trying to make a …   more ›

Chivukula Promoting India-New Jersey Ties

The Assemblyman — who is running for the NJ 7th Congressional district seat — calls for more trade and cooperation between India and New Jersey through a symbolic planting.

One way to grow jobs for New Jerseyans is to strengthen ties with India. That's what Assemblymen Upendra J. Chivukula thinks. Chivukula (D-Somerset\Middlesex) and other officials expounded on that theme at a symbolic planting last week in Harding Township in Morris County. There, Chivukula and Assemblyman John F. McKeon were joined by New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher and Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Sharma from the Indian state of Haryana to plant Jasmine, a flower that is widely grown in India.  Chivukula, who lives in Franklin Township, Somerset County, has represented the 17th district in the NJ Assembly since 2002. Chivukula is challenging incumbent Leonard Lance, a Republican, for the 7th Congressional district seat. …

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Chivukula-Sponsored Law to Protect Clean Energy Jobs

A-2966 accelerates the amount of solar-generated electricity that power companies are required to produce or purchase.

Legislation signed into law last Monday by Gov. Christie and sponsored by Assembly Utilities Chairman Upendra J. Chivukula and other Assembly members, will help stabilize the state's solar industry and protect thousands of clean energy jobs, according to proponents. Chivukula, who lives in Franklin Township, Somerset County, has represented the 17th district in the NJ Assembly since 2002. Chivukula is challenging incumbent Leonard Lance, a Republican, for the 7th Congressional district seat. The 7th district has recently been redistricting and now covers large portions of Union, Morris, Hunterdon and Somerset counties, parts of Warren County, and Millburn in Essex County. In Union County, the 7th Congressional district includes Berkeley …

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mike jones

3:40 am on Wednesday, January 2, 2013

its going to start today now that the common light bulb is outlawed and you have to by a mercury non recycleable corkscrew bulb!   more ›

NJ Spotlight: A Look at the 7th Congressional Race

In the 7th, two Republicans vie to demonstrate who's the real conservative.

With the endorsements of Gov. Chris Christie and county Republican party chairs in his district, U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance would appear to be on his way toward winning a third term in Congress. But before he even gets to the November election, he has to go through David Larsen, who polled 31 percent of the vote against Lance two years ago. Lance, who lives in Clinton, was first elected to U.S. Congress in 2008, after serving in the state Assembly and Senate for many years. He was known as a moderate during his state service, but has leaned more to the right since joining Congress. Larsen, of Tewksbury, is running as the true conservative. His political background includes chairmanship of the conservative advocacy organization RightDirection.…

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Holden MaGroin

9:51 am on Friday, May 25, 2012

I'm Holden MaGroin and I can save Emily time. What comes next for Scotch Plains is more fighting and a Mayor named Glover.   more ›

Chivukula Helps Launch Asian Pacific American Leadership Network

Upendra Chivukula, who is running against Leonard Lance for the 7th Congressional District, helps launch new Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies “Leadership Network."

Upendra Chivukula, who is running as the Democratic candidate for New Jersey’s 7th district, is part of a new "Leadership Network" for Asian American candidates. The network officially launched on Tuesday at a gala for the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies — or APAICS — at which President Barack Obama gave the keynote address. In the 2008 and 2010 election cycles, six to eight Asian American/Pacific Islander candidates ran for Congress. This year — according to APAICS — the number has tripled to 25 challenger candidates, with one running for the Senate and at least two dozen contending for the House. The new APAICS Leadership Network hopes to "unite AAPI elected and appointed officials, incumbents and challengers …

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