WEST MILFORD, NJ – Passaic County Freeholder Director Terry Duffy released the following statement regarding Congressional redistricting:

Today I am announcing the formation of an exploratory committee to test the waters for a potential run in the new 5th Congressional District.  Since my first election as a Passaic County Freeholder, my priority has always been to fight for the issues affecting middle class families.  As a small business owner, I know how hard things are right now.  I see it everyday.  I know I can bring sorely needed working class values and a new perspective to Washington D.C. to help solve the pressing problems facing our nation. 

Unlike Congressman Garrett, I am not a career politician.  I know how hard it can be to meet payroll and worry about the day-to-day management of a business.  Congress needs more leaders in touch with the problems facing normal everyday Americans.  I think the 5th District needs a representative who is willing to work across the aisle – like I’ve done my entire career – to do what is best for our residents.  Not a representative adhering to a rigid extremist ideology that often works against the vast majority of 5th District residents. 

In the next 30 days I am going to speak with residents, talk to party leaders and reach out to elected officials to see if a run makes sense.  Our priority needs to be unseating Congressman Garrett – who now becomes the most vulnerable incumbent Congressman in New Jersey with this new map.  I look forward to challenging his extremist record with pragmatic common sense solutions.