Potosnak Formally Kicks Off Campaign Against Rep. Lance

In a small ceremony aimed at highlighting the issues that most affect small businesses, Democratic nominee Ed Potosnak formally launched his months-old campaign Wednesday to unseat Republican Congressman Leonard Lance.

Potosnak made the announcement at the Organigaya Cafe in North Plainfield, located within walking distance of his house. He invited the cafe's owner, Paul Alirnagues to speak, as well Somerset County Democratic Chairwoman Peg Schaffer. 

Alirnagues, in his speech, said he hopes to build a kitchen at the cafe, which would add two to five jobs to the workforce. The ceremony, in fact, was held inside the room Alirnagues said he plans to convert into a kitchen. But when he applied for a small business loan to fund the expansion, he said, the bank told him the transaction would have to wait. It attributed the hold-up to delays in the passage of the American Workers, State, and Business Relief Act of 2010 – the bill that would expand and extend unemployment benefits.

The bill, which was already approved by the House of Representatives, passed a procedural hurdle in the U.S. Senate on Tuesday: Sen. Carte Goodwin (D-West Vir.) provided the 60th vote needed to move the measure to a final vote. President Barack Obama is expected to sign the bill within the week. The bank documents for the cafe's loan, meanwhile, were signed on Wednesday.

Lance voted against the bill when it was in the House. On Wednesday, Alirnagues criticized the congressman for opposing the measure, saying that it showed where Lance's loyalties lie: "With the big banks and big businesses that export jobs overseas and not with the people right here in his own district." 

Lance's vote was in line with other House Republicans, who said they were concerned with the funding mechanisms of the legislation.

Alriangues' comments matched the general theme of Potosnak's campaign: criticize Lance for accepting campaign donations from and opposing regulation of the industries regulated by the financial services committee, where he serves as a member. 

Following Alriangues' speech, Potosnak, a former chemistry teacher at Bridgewater-Raritan Regional High School and a former congressional aide, took the podium. He labeled Lance "a third generation career politician," one Potosnak said is more interested in reelection than he is in the people whom he represents.

Lance, a Hunterdon County resident, is a former minority leader of the state senate. His father and grandfather both previously served in the state senate.

Potosnak said he'd like to "get rid of the career politicians in Washington and elect real world people."

"My intention," Potosnak said, "is to represent the families and businesses in the seventh congressional district and ensure that they have all the tools they need to be successful."

He called for a greater focus on improving school graduation rates as a method for improving the economy, and, taking a shot at Lance, he voiced opposition to current cap-and-trade rules that regulate greenhouse gas emissions. 

Lance voted for the cap and trade bill in 2009, a move for which he was criticized during this spring's Republican primary. Lance, however, easily prevailed in the primary.

In his campaign, the congressman has stressed his work on financial and budgetary policy, citing his authorship of a 2008 state constitutional amendment that prohibits state borrowing without voter approval. 

Long considered a moderate Republican, Lance has garnered strong institutional support within the Republican party. Several Democratic leaders have told Patch that they expect Lance to easily win reelection and do not expect Potosnak to receive much party support. Potosnak's campaign points to an internal campaign poll showing the Democrat four points behind Lance and notes that he has gained endorsements from the Democratic party organizations in the four counties making up the district.

Lance was first elected in 2008, succeeding former Rep. Mike Ferguson (R-New Providence). He defeated the Democratic nominee, Assemblywoman Linda Stender (D-Fanwood), in the general election after winning a seven-way Republican primary over such candidates as gubernatorial progeny Kate Whitman, former Scotch Plains Mayor Martin Marks and former Summit Common Council President P. Kelly Hatfield. 

After the speech, Potosnak defended his decision to hold a formal announcement ceremony in July despite being a candidate for months and winning the Democratic nomination in the June primary. Potosnak said that there are no rules governing the timing of an official candidacy announcement.