District 23 Assembly Primary Candidate: Erik Peterson

DISTRICT 23, NJ — New Jersey General Assembly Legislative District 23's preliminary election on June 8 has four candidates running for two open seats on the assembly. Erik Peterson, 55, is among the two Republican candidates running.

Peterson has served as assemblyman for district 23 since 2009 and also currently works as an attorney. He previously served as Hunterdon County Freeholder.

Peterson is married to his wife Jenni and they have four children Sophie 18, Clay 17, Veronica 15, and Samantha 12. Jenni works as a municipal court violations clerk.

Peterson has a Bachelors degree in Business Management from North Carolina State University and Law degree from Temple University.

Are you running for office in District 23? Contact Alexis Tarrazi at alexis.tarrazi@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements.

Erik Peterson

Why are you seeking elective office?

To continue to be a vocal voice for Freedom for the people of the 23rd Legislative District and to push back against Phil Murphy and the Democrats' failed socialist agenda.

The single most pressing issue facing our district is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Phil Murphy and the Democrats have created a myriad of problems for the people of New Jersey whether it be the gross negligence of endangering seniors lives in nursing homes; defunding our schools to give $15 million to illegal aliens or shutting down our schools depriving our kids of a year and one half of education these are just some of the important issues facing the 23rd Legislative District. I intend to continue to challenge these unconscionable policies both in the Legislature and in Court.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I do not know anything about the democrat candidates other than they will rubberstamp Phil Murphy's socialist utopia policies through government dictate while I believe in Freedom and the right of people to make decisions for themselves, their families and their businesses.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I took an oath of office wherein I promised on my sacred honor to defend and follow the State and Federal Constitutions. I take my oath of office seriously and have stood for and defended the rights guaranteed in the State and Federal Constitutions and will continue to so.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

In addition to being an advocate in Trenton for the values and issues important to people of the 23rd Legislative District, I have successfully managed a constituents services operation in my Legislative Office that has helped countless people with such things as obtaining unemployment benefits during COVID, scheduling appointments at motor vehicles during COVID, helping local businesses navigate the Governor's COVID Executive Orders, helping families of people with disabilities navigate the Trenton bureaucracy and assisting local organizations and schools so that the 23rd Legislative District remains the best place to live, raise a family and work.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Some of the best advice I was ever given was from a swim coach when I was 12 years old. As I got out of the pool during practice to go to the bathroom my coach said "when the going gets tough the tough go to the bathroom" I realized he was mocking me for getting out during the tough part of the practice. This advice, of sorts, inspired me to work harder when life got harder and not to give up. Although Governor Murphy and the Democrats have ruled New Jersey by edict for over a year, and putting an end to this undemocratic governance is an uphill battle, I have never given up and have never worked harder to bring New Jersey back to a representative form of government.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I live, I work and I am raising my family here in the district. Whether it's attending a school event at North Hunterdon; taking the kids to swim practice in Bridgewater or representing clients in Washington Township I know first hand the goodness of the people of the district and the wonderful community they have built and how important it is that we keep working together to promote our shared values of the love of GOD, Family and Country that makes our District the best place to live, raise a family, and work.

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