Kate Whitman for Congress? She's More Than Just My Daughter

For those of you who don’t know, my daughter Kate is running for the open seat for Congress in the 7th District. I couldn’t be more proud of her, and of course I will vote for her. Unfortunately, some have been quick to judge her ­ both positively and negatively ­ on the single fact that she is my daughter. That’s why I want to share with you why Kate is more than just my daughter, and why she will make an excellent member of Congress.

Recently bloggers have noted that Kate has “distanced” herself from me by saying she is more conservative than me. In a campaign you have to define for voters who you are and where you stand on the issues. Kate is more conservative than me, so why shouldn't she come right out and say it? She has always been an independent thinker and I have always respected that.

On the other hand, if she never talked about me, she would be attacked for that as well. Kate, I congratulate you for answering up front the question many voters are asking in their own minds:­ how do you compare to your mother on the issues?

The bottom line is that this race isn’t about me, or my record when I was Governor - it is about Kate and all that she has to offer. From a very young age, Kate was interested in public service and digging deep into issues that face this country. It’s why, after graduating from college, she went to work in Washington DC, putting her determination and smarts to good use.

Most people don’t know that Kate worked for the U.S. Department of Labor specializing in the Employment and Training Agency after September 11th, 2001, helping displaced workers in New York City get back on their feet. She also worked for Chris Cox, Chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives' Homeland Security Committee and House Policy Committee, and she understands firsthand how the legislative process should work in Washington.

But more than that, Kate is one of the most caring, hard-working, dedicated people I have met. She has been running her own successful small business for the past 3 1/2 years here in Somerset County.

As she has said herself, Kate is running for Congress because she knows Washington is going to require new blood and new energy if things are going to change. I know Kate and she isn’t going to sit around and hope that someone else will fight the good fight - she will be that fighter.

She will work hard in this campaign going door-to-door to earn your vote, and she will shake things up in D.C. when she gets there. Her youth is her strength. She knows the process and her way around DC. She knows New Jersey and the 7th District. She doesn't stop and she won't stop until the job is done.

Please visit www.KateforCongress.com and learn more about Kate and where she stands on the issues. Then judge for yourself if Kate will represent you well. I’m confident you will appreciate her experiences and professional accomplishments and see that she is qualified and ready to serve in Congress. I’m proud to have her as a daughter and I will be proud to have her as my Congresswoman.