Rothman will seek re-election in '10

By Editor | October 16th, 2009 - 11:54am
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Rothman will seek re-election in '10 U.S. Rep. Steve Rothman says he is running for re-election. .

U.S. Rep. Steven Rothman (D-Fair Lawn) says he will run for re-election to an eighth term in 2010, "and for many years more." 

Rothman made his announcement hours after PolitickerNJ.com's The Inside Edge speculated that weak third quarter fundraising numbers could be a sign that the congressman was ready to retire.  Rothman made it clear he's not going anywhere.

"I wonder who gave out the creative writing assignment to suggest that I was retiring from Congress." Rothman wrote PolitickerNJ.com.  After all, I love helping my constituents, bringing an unprecedented amount of federal dollars back to many regions in New Jersey (as our only Democratic Appropriations Committee member); and working with my House colleagues and the Obama White House in matters of our national security and foreign affairs."

"My health and that of my family is good, knock wood, and I'm still able to make my mortgage payments.  And even after the ten Town Hall Meetings on Health Care I did in New Jersey in August--the most, by far of any of my Congressional colleagues--my approval rating in my district hovers between 68-70%," Rothman said.  "But above all else, I am having some of the most satisfying time as a public official ever."

Rothman says he does not obsess about running for the United States Senate. 

"While I did turn 57-years-old this week, let's remember that our longest-serving lion in the Senate, Frank Lautenberg  -- who we wish to serve till he's at least 120 --  didn't get to the Senate till he was 58 years old," Rothman said.  "As for dreams of Senate sugarplums dancing in my head, well, I remain committed to the notion that ‘what is meant to be will be'."

And Rothman has a message for his would be successors and competitors.

"To those who would seek my seat, I tell them to wait a bunch of more terms--if the people will continue to have me as their Congressman.  To those who wish to gain some advantage in a future Senate race, I hope your actions are ones you're proud of."

Rothman told PolitickerNJ.com that contributions he received from Dennis Oury, who pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges last month, will be donated to charity.

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After all, I love helping my constituents

Submitted by VinCognito on October 16, 2009 - 12:22pm.

Did you mean your campaign contributors? What's going on with that whole FDA thing?

Great news....

Submitted by Atticus on October 16, 2009 - 12:26pm.

Because he's been so effective.

effective

Submitted by garfieldrepublican on October 16, 2009 - 12:35pm.

in getting his district on the road to ruin and the Marxist breadline.

Rothman.

Submitted by Demsandonts on October 16, 2009 - 1:34pm.

These guilt by association claims of sources who fail to rear their ugly heads won't play well with voters. Steve Rothman comes from the great Democratic traditions of Bergen County that gave us the late Matty Feldman, the late Byron Baer, Al Burstein and the late Ben Mazur! His integrity is unquestioned and his political support deep across the 33 towns of the 9th CD. Can anyone even name one serious Republican who would challenge the incumbent? Name one serious Republican who can raise $250,000 in a race that would take $2 million to unseat the seven-term Democrat? You want to look at vulnerabilities, take a look at Frank Pallone. He's a in a district where undecideds and Republicans could in fact defeat him with a fully funded candidacy (Jennifer Beck, Kim Guadagno) given his co-sponorship of healthcare and the overwhelming opposition to him which I saw personally in Holmdel where thousands showed up to demonstrate against him. If any Democratic incumbent is at risk, Frank Pallone is at the head of the line. Vote Column "A" - All the way!

in your dreams

Submitted by garfieldrepublican on October 16, 2009 - 2:07pm.

a $ 250.000 king in Bergen County just because he has an R after his name will not beat Rothmann. What person with $ 250.000 would waste it on a race like this. Call Unanue ooops he lives in Garretts district

Garfield is right

Submitted by virtuteetvalore on October 16, 2009 - 2:40pm.

The best that Republicans can hope for
is a pit bull candidate who campaigns everywhere in every town and reduces the margin of loss of the last two elections.

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