Community Corner

Hundreds of Lonegan, Paul Supporters Come to Clark Rally

Here's what folks at Friday's rally had to say about Rand Paul and Steve Lonegan.

U.S. Sen. Rand Paul visited Clark Friday to endorse former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan in his run for Senate against Newark Mayor Cory Booker.

A crowd of about 200 people showed up to the public rally portion of the event. We asked some of the folks gathered to tell us their thoughts on Lonegan, Booker and Sen. Rand Paul. Here's what they had to say:

(We also chatted with some protestors gathered on Madison Hill Road. Hear from them in our video.)

Frank J. Choloski, Bloomfield: "I'm here to support the mayor. He’s more qualified to be a senator. What did Cory Booker do for Newark? I live right outside Newark and there's a crime every day. Cory Booker is a rubber stamp for Obama." 

Find out what's happening in Clark-Garwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Sherry G., Stockholm: "I'm here because I love Rand Paul. He's just everything I stand for: freedom, liberty, the second amendment, controlled immigration, no Syria. I hope he runs for president."

Linda Murphy, Basking Ridge: "I've been following Lonegan and I really like him a lot. I really wanted him for Governor when he ran. I'm anxious to hear him talk. I know he’s kind of divisive and he’s going to have a rough road to get New Jersey behind him, but I'm not impressed at all with Cory Booker's done in Newark. I don’t see what he brings to the state. He should concentrate on Newark and then move up to bigger and better things."

Find out what's happening in Clark-Garwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Marianne Chilletti, Cranford: "I came to see Rand Paul. I'm a big supporter of his and I hope he runs for president. I took my son out of school to see him. He’s against the IRS, he’s against Obamacare. He’s against going in to Syria. He’s a very strong Constitutionalist and that’s why I like him. Steve Lonegan I've met quite a few times and voted for him in the primary when ran against Christie. I liked his message. Cory Booker would just follow the Obama line. And Newark isn’t any safer now. It’s actually less safe now than before he took over. I think he'd just be the same old, same old, just like Lautenberg. I want my politician to have his own mind and not follow the party line. That’s why I like Rand Paul. He doesn’t follow the party line."

George Humphris, Toms River: "I came down here because it’s our first chance to get a Republican in the U.S. Senate. I feel I’ll have senator who is going to listen to me. I've tried to talk to Bob Menendez and Lautenberg over the years and they never vote the way I want. Syria is an important issue to me. I think we shouldn’t be going in and bombing and basically acting like terrorists in other countries. They are not going to look favorably on us if we bomb them. Does Steve have a chance? He definitely does. I think the country and everyone thinks we’re a blue state and I think we’re more Republican than people think. Steve tells you where he stands and he's a conservative. He doesn’t waffle. As for Rand Paul, I would vote for him for president if he runs. I like what he’s saying – people spend and spend and spend and get caught up in debt on the credit card. When the government keeps on spending, we’re the ones who pay those bills."

Will you vote for Lonegan or Booker? Tell us in the comments. 

READ MORE:

Rand Paul Slams Booker, Obama; Says Lonegan Can Win in NJ


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