10th District Assembly GOP Primary 2021: John Catalano

OCEAN COUNTY, NJ — With Primary Day for the 2021 general election coming up June 8, Patch is sharing profiles of the candidates for local office.

John Catalano is one of four candidates seeking to be the Republican candidate for the two, four-year seats representing the 10th District in the Assembly on the Nov. 2 general election ballot. Also seeking the GOP nomination are John Catalano,

Patch asked each candidate the same questions. Here are his answers.

Your name: John Catalano

Age: 71

Town of residence: Brick

Position sought: Assembly, 10th District

Party affiliation: Republican

Family: Wife, Bethann; daughter, Jenna

Education: Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, Texas, BSE, Physical Education and English

Occupation: Retail Jewelry Store Owner

Previous elective office, if any: NJ General Assembly, Brick Township Councilman

Do you or anyone in your family work for the state, county or local governments? No

Why are you seeking office? Giving back to the community has always been a passion of mine, since starting my 501c3 charity, The Bobby Buecker Memorial Foundation, which helps families with cancer. Also, my history as a small business owner allows me to identify with other business owners. We are the backbone of all communities.

What do you feel is the most pressing issue facing the community, and what do you want to do about it? Taking our state back is the most pressing issue. Governor Murphy has ruled like a dictator. Senator Holzapfel, Assemblyman McGuckin and I have a constitutional amendment limiting the governor's executive order to 14 days. No future governor should ever be able to do what Governor Murphy did to us with this lockdown. We need to defeat vaccine passports, giving unlimited money to illegals and we need to fully fund our schools. Brick and Toms River schools were decimated by the passing of S2. We need to change this funding formula.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking to serve? I again go back to my experience as a small business owner and the troubles we face each and every day. I have also been involved in the local Republican Party for over 30 years, whereas our opponents have had nearly no involvement in local Republican politics.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform. We are true conservatives. We have legislation to force voters to show photo ID when they vote. Again, we are sponsors of legislation to strip the governor of emergency powers. We need to keep the liberal agenda out of the schools. Our kindergartners do not need to learn about sex at 5 years old. We are always on the side of helping NJ residents not illegals as Governor Murphy continues to do. Again, we need to defeat vaccine passports which are so un-American.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you will be effective in office? Our legislative delegation does not vote for any new tax. We are not afraid to take on Governor Murphy and have shown that in the past. I continue to stand for 2nd Amendment rights.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions? I have owned multiple small businesses throughout Ocean County for nearly my entire adult life. I know firsthand the heartache and problems that Governor Murphy and the Democratic Legislature have caused business owners. He catered to big box stores while leaving small businesses either closed or on the brink of closure. We need to take our state back!

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