NJ Governor's Race: Meet the Candidates

As New Jerseyans prepare to vote in the June 6, 2017 gubernatorial primary to replace Chris Christie, The Brian Lehrer Show is invited every candidate to come on the show and discuss their proposed policies.

First up, the Democrats:

New Jersey State Assemblyman (D-19) Middlesex County, John Wisniewski, discussed his proposal for a single-payer healthcare system for New Jersey, large-scale investment in infrastructure and standing up to the special interests and “party bosses” in New Jersey. Check out the rest of his policies here.

🔊 Hear Assemblyman John Wisniewski on the Brian Lehrer Show:

Former Clinton Treasury department under-secretary and former chair of the Brennan Center for Justice, Jim Johnson, talks about his bid to succeed Chris Christie in Trenton. On the top of his priorities? Lowering New Jersey's high property tax rate, restoring funding to Planned Parenthood and four ways to reform criminal justice system. Take a look at all of his proposed policies here.

🔊 Hear Jim Johnson on the Brian Lehrer Show:

President of the Tenafly borough council, Mark Zinna, discusses his plan for single-payer healthcare system by abolishing all private health insurance companies, making higher education affordable by providing no interest student loans and campaign finance reform. View his policies here.

🔊 Hear Mark Zinna on the Brian Lehrer Show:

Bill Brennan, a community activist and former Teaneck firefighter, makes his case for legalizing marijuana, ending the war on drugs and getting New Jersey to 100% renewable energy. See the full plan here.

🔊 Hear Bill Brennan on the Brian Lehrer Show:

Former Goldman Sachs executive and former U.S. Ambassador to Germany, Phil Murphy, talks about his plans to fix NJ Transit and infrastructure, fight income inequality in New Jersey and fully fund the state's schools according to the school funding formula. You can find the full details here.

🔊 Hear Phil Murphy on the Brian Lehrer Show:

State Senator Raymond Lesniak, veteran attorney who has served in the state legislature since 1978, talks about his plans to lower New Jersey's notoriously high property taxes, for health insurance and to overturn the state's pollution settlement with Exxon-Mobil. Check out a list of other proposed policies here.

🔊 Hear Senator Raymond Lesniak on the Brian Lehrer Show:

And the Republican candidates....

[The Brian Lehrer Show was unable to schedule a candidate interview with Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno.]

Engineer and businessman, Hirsh Singh, says he’s the only true Conservative in the race and offers his solution to tackle property taxes, school funding and housing mandates, as well as creating stronger boarders.

🔊 Hear Hirsh Singh on the Brian Lehrer Show:

State Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, who represents the 16th Legislative District, was one of two Republican gubernatorial candidates to have raised enough funds to participate in the two GOP primary debates. Ciatterelli says he got into the race because he thinks it's time to move on from the Christie era, but he supports some of Christie's positions, like defunding Planned Parenthood.

🔊 Hear Jack Ciattarelli on the Brian Lehrer Show:

Entrepreneur, small business owner and actor, Joseph Rullo, wants to repeal the recent gasoline tax increase, eliminate transportation trust fund, and talks about being tougher on immigration and supporting marijuana legalization.

🔊 Hear Joseph Rullo on the Brian Lehrer Show:

Steven Rogers, Nutley township commissioner, talks restoring public employee pensions, his stance against sanctuary cities and legalizing marijuana. 

🔊 Hear Steven Rogers on the Brian Lehrer Show:

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