In competitive 38th District, Democrats tout achievements while Republicans pose questions

Democrats representing the 38th Legislative District will try to keep their seats in the state Senate and Assembly in the first election with a newly redrawn district map.

Republican state Senate candidate Micheline Attieh and Assembly candidates Gail Horton and Barry Wilkes will try to unseat Democratic state Sen. Joseph Lagana and Assembly members Lisa Swain and Chris Tully on Nov. 7.

Legislative District 38 was redistricted last year, losing Passaic County's Hawthorne and gaining Teterboro, South Hackensack, Little Ferry and Moonachie. The remainder of the district includes Bergenfield, Fair Lawn, Glen Rock, Hasbrouck Heights, Lodi, Maywood, New Milford, Oradell, Paramus, River Edge, Rochelle Park and Saddle Brook.

"We believe it’s essential that we prioritize introducing Senator Lagana, Assemblywoman Swain and Assemblyman Tully to the voters in these new parts of the districts," Democratic campaign manager Reed Elman said. "They are knocking on doors, talking with voters and engaging with local leaders in those towns to get a better understanding of what matters to their communities."

The Republicans are also bringing their campaign to the people and going door to door to make a personal connection.

"We've always believed in a simple strategy: talking to the people in our community," Horton said. "I'm not a career politician; I'm a special education and applied behavioral therapist. My approach is to talk with voters daily and assure voters that I'm accessible to them year-round, not just during an election."

In 2021, just more than 3,400 voters — or 2.93% of the vote — separated Tully and a Republican challenger. Lagana maintained a larger margin, with 4,549, or a 7.58% lead, against his challenger.

The last time a Republican won an Assembly seat was in 2002, when Rose Marie Heck was the lone GOP winner, splitting the Assembly with a Democrat. Republicans claimed full majority in District 38 from 1992 to 2001. Since 2004, Democrats have had full control.

Here's what the candidates had to say about the upcoming election:

During your last term, what are some of your accomplishments?

State Sen. Joe Lagana (D): This year I was proud to deliver for my constituents by passing a series of laws which will decrease auto theft, making all of us in New Jersey safer from crime. The legislation will increase penalties for repeat car theft offenders and tackle the issue of burglary, reducing the ability of individuals to take key fobs from homes in order to steal cars.

Assemblywoman Lisa Swain (D): I’ve been proud to stand up for access to women’s health care — that’s why I was the primary sponsor of A3974, which protects women who seek reproductive health care in New Jersey from being extradited to another state. And I was deeply proud of my work to pass the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act, which codified the right to abortion into state law.

Assemblyman Chris Tully (D): “I was proud to be the primary sponsor of A4694, which was signed into law by the governor and fights back against New York’s congestion pricing scheme. We cannot afford to have our residents pick up the tab for New York’s failure to invest in their infrastructure. We’re also creating incentives for New York businesses to open offices in New Jersey closer to the families that make up their workforces.

Why are Republicans running for the state Senate or the Assembly?

Micheline Attieh (R): As a mother, grandmother and educator, I'm committed to protecting our children and addressing the soaring cost of living. These past few years have been tough on families, and our current state senator, Joe Lagana, has done nothing to alleviate these challenges. In fact, he's made things worse by supporting Gov. Phil Murphy's record spending and radical green energy agenda. Lagana's support for eliminating gas-powered cars by 2035 and mandating the removal of gas appliances in homes and businesses is concerning. He's also disregarded parents by endorsing teaching subjects like gender identity in second grade. After the learning loss from COVID lockdowns, our kids deserve a better education with parental involvement at every step. I'm running to tackle these pressing issues and provide the representation our district needs.

Gail Horton (R): I'm running because I couldn't ignore the problems any longer. The new school curriculums, the high cost of living and rising crime rates all demand action. As an educator, I felt compelled to improve our schools. The cost of living forced my own son to leave the state. I've experienced crime myself, and I've heard similar stories from too many voters. We need change, and Micheline, Barry and I are going to bring much-needed change to District 38.

Barry Wilkes (R): Truthfully, I first thought about running when Gov. Phil Murphy said, “If taxes are your issue, then we’re probably not your state,” or something to that effect.  He was basically saying, “If you can’t afford to live here, you can leave, because I don’t care about you anyway.” The more I paid attention, the more I learned just how little the governor and the Lagana, Swain and Tully team care about voters. The examples of their arrogance are too numerous to count: the nonchalant attitude toward the skyrocketing cost of living in this state, discarding the Bill of Rights during COVID, the shocking treatment of our veterans at the Paramus Veterans Home, establishing school policies that essentially require teachers to withhold from parents critical information about their own children, pushing an electrification agenda that will crush the poor and middle class, and giving billion-dollar handouts to foreign companies at the expense of New Jersey residents. The list goes on and on. I am running for the opportunity to fight against all of these bad policies.

If elected, what are your goals?

Lagana: Mental health in schools is critical, and it will be a primary focus for me when I’m hopefully reelected this November. The pandemic only exacerbated an already worrisome trend of declining mental health for our children. As a parent of three school-age girls, this is a deeply personal issue for me. The U.S. surgeon general has called it an urgent public health crisis. With more and more kids struggling with depression and anxiety, it’s urgent we act to address the issue.

Swain: First and foremost, the fight for women’s rights, reproductive freedom and menstrual equity is far from over. While the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act was a huge leap in protecting abortion access in New Jersey, I believe we must move to enshrine that right in the New Jersey Constitution to ensure that fundamental right is protected.

Tully: If there has been one common theme I’ve heard from voters this election, it’s concerns about affordability. We must prioritize tax cuts for all families, and especially our seniors. I’ve been proud to support measures like StayNJ, Senior Freeze and prescription drug affordability. But there is still more work to do. That’s why I’m committed to finding even more ways for our seniors to afford to retire in the same communities where they raised their families.”

Attieh: In the state Senate, I'll work with Senate Republican Leader Anthony Bucco to pass a parental bill of rights, a top priority for me. I'll also focus on repealing Bill 4454, the sex ed bill passed in 2020, and reinstating COLA. Within the first few months, I aim to reduce the state budget by 10%, allowing for tax cuts and providing long-term relief for our state. Additionally, I'll redirect resources away from windmill industry bailouts that harm our sea life and toward helping families cope with soaring energy costs.

Horton: When I join the Assembly this January, one of the first things on my agenda will be to prioritize cutting our record state spending and providing tax relief to hardworking families struggling to make ends meet. In the long term, my goals include passing a Parental Bill of Rights, enacting legislation to address carjackings and gang theft, and ensuring substantial and sustainable tax relief, rather than temporary election-year fixes.

Wilkes: Like my running mates, my priorities are: ending the anti-parent agenda of the Murphy administration, improving our schools, getting our state budget under control, redirecting excess state revenue back to municipalities to lower property taxes, and ending this absolutely ridiculous push to ban gas appliances and cars (a goal that will make us weaker, poorer and do shockingly little to reduce carbon emissions). I will also focus on supporting law enforcement and improving the business climate in this state. I want New Jersey to be a land of opportunity that our children and grandchildren want to come home to — to raise their children, to find a job or to start a business in.

What's something you would want your constituents to know before they vote?

Lagana: Voters should know their vote is their voice. This will be a close election, and every vote will count. Staying home isn’t an option. And with early voting now so accessible in Bergen County, it’s easier than ever to make your voice heard. If you care about the future of our community, it’s essential that you vote.

Swain: Voters should know reproductive freedom is on the ballot this year. Republicans in Trenton have already introduced new abortion bans in the state Legislature, and the New Jersey Senate Republican leader recently confirmed they plan to launch a coordinated attack on reproductive rights if they win a majority in the state Legislature. Our race in Bergen County could be the one that decides which party holds the majority, so it’s essential that everyone — and women, in particular — vote like their freedom is on the ballot, because it really is this year.

Tully: Right now, right-wing extremists are fighting to allow concealed guns at kids' soccer games and playgrounds. I’m a dad, and I know that my family’s safety is my first priority. I think a lot of parents in our district feel the same way. We need to stop these extremists in their tracks, and the best way we can do that is by voting for the candidates that will fight for commonsense gun safety measures.

Attieh: As an educator, business owner and a mother of four children, I understand the struggles that so many New Jerseyans are facing, and I promise to fight for our citizens and taxpayers just like I would fight for my family. Once elected on Nov. 7, I promise to immediately start working to make positive changes before I am sworn in. I also promise the people of 38 to always be transparent in everything I do.

Horton: I want voters to know about my work ethic, grit and determination. After I suddenly became a single mom and widow at 45, I was forced to assume my late husband's business, which was thousands in debt. I worked three jobs to hold on to our home and to be able to put our then-16-year-old through college when the time came. When in the Assembly, I will show the same work ethic and determination to make our state better for my constituents.

Wilkes: When elected, my top priority would be to listen and stay connected to the people. Their concerns are my concerns. All opinions should be respected and considered. You'll have an honest voice in Trenton.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ election 2023 38th Legislative District race