April 11, 2008 - 7:51am
News

Marks issues debate challenge in 7th District

Scotch Plains Mayor Martin MarksScotch Plains Mayor Martin Marks 

Scotch Plains Mayor Martin Marks today sent a letter to his opponents in the Republican 7th Congressional District Primary, challenging them to a series of four debates.

Marks said he wants four candidate debates, one each in Union, Hunterdon, Middlesex, and Somerset counties.

"With less than two months remaining until the primary, I believe it is imperative for the voters of the 7th District to see their Republican candidates for U.S. Congress together, discussing the important issues that working families face each day," Marks said.

Marks is running in the primary against state Sen. Leonard Lance (R-Hunterdon), businesswoman Kate Whitman, former Summit Councilwoman Kelly Hatfield, Iraq War veteran Thomas Roughneen of Watchung, finance professor A.D. Amar of Warren, and Darren Young of Summit.

Having won none of the organizational lines in the pre-primary contests, the socially conservative Marks said he has been in talks with pro-life groups and Jewish organizations as he tries to raise money for his campaign.

Max Pizarro is a PolitickerNJ.com Reporter and can be reached via email at max@politicsnj.com.