Rebekah Conroy

We have become an electorate obsessed with labels. “Republican.” “Democrat.” “Fiscal Conservative.” “Progressive.” These labels are meaningless because we each attach our own subjective meaning to the different terms.

Labels work for jellies, not people.

Rather than label myself one way or the other, I want to use a series of descriptive words—maybe even a sentence or two—to tell you a little bit about myself, my point of view, and how that translates to being a better representative on your behalf once elected.

Working families are the backbone of our community, our state, and our success. Now more than ever, we are all watching our bottom line. We have raised the temperature on our air conditioners, cut our personal discretionary spending, and retooled our budgets to stay afloat. We should expect no less from our State government. Remaining silent while precious funds are wasted by the State on unsuccessful programs, wasteful expenditures, and pork projects is simply no longer an option.

That is not to say that we can live without government. To the contrary, government plays a critical role in our day-to-day lives. The State manages our safety, ensures that our judicial system runs on fair and equitable law, educates our children, regulates commerce to allow capitalism to thrive, and protects our liberty. Each aspect is crucial to our community.

Education is the great equalizer. The only way we can end the cycle of poverty is to educate the next generation. The State’s responsibility in this regard is great. Members of the Assembly are at a crossroads in education funding and schools in our District are suffering. At a recent town hall meeting in Denville, I learned firsthand of the problems Denville’s schools are facing. Leaky roofs and outdated textbooks are just the beginning of the predicament our students confront in their path to higher learning. The needs of these children are not being adequately met.

We need a stronger, more persuasive and energetic voice in Trenton focused on these problems, focused on our community, focused on advocating for our District and ending the one-way flow of tax dollars out of Morris County. We need leadership vigilantly watching over our government spending, and not someone who grandstands against every piece of legislation without actually considering its impact on the lives of residents in Morris County.

The view from where I sit clear: if we desire progress, we must demand dedication from our representatives. Those individuals that are unable to mold to these ever-changing times, and find themselves dedicated to a singular issue, or a singular ideology, need not apply. We need strength in our leaders - strength of character, strength in intellect, and strength in dedication. What we don't need....are labels.