Election Profile: Sean Kean For State Assembly

BELMAR, NJ – State Assemblyman Sean Kean is running in the Republican primary for the two seats representing the 30th district with his running mate Ned Thompson. Learn more about the incumbent Assemblyman below.

Name: Sean Kean

Age: 58

Town: Wall

Career: Attorney

Education: B.A. Seton Hall University (Political Science), M.A.L.S. Columbia University (American Studies), J.D. Seton Hall University School of Law

Family: Married to Bridget with three children: Sean Jr., Terrence, & Mary

Why are you running for office?

I am running for office to make New Jersey an affordable state so that our children can afford to live here and seniors are able to retire in-state. One of the most pressing challenges facing New Jersey is our tremendous tax burden. The Wall Street Journal just reported that New Jersey is number one in the country for taxes, and the average resident will pay over $900,000 in taxes over a lifetime. I will work to reduce taxes and make the state more affordable.

What is your platform?

I would like to see the state cut back spending and reduce taxes. The FY’22 budget is increasing to nearly $45 billion, which is 11 percent greater than last year. Further, Governor Murphy has increased spending by over 15 percent since becoming governor. The State also borrowed $4.5 billion from the federal government, without voter approval, that we did not need.

We need to be smarter about our state spending and really prioritize the needs of our residents. If we cut taxes, we can be competitive with other states. According to the 2020 National Movers Study published by United Van Lines, New Jersey was again in the top five states for outbound migration. With high property taxes, income taxes, and corporate taxes, New Jersey is currently not a competitive state. This could become even more problematic as more people are working remotely and may not need to live in New Jersey. We need to reduce the tax burden all round to keep our current residents & businesses in the state and attract new businesses.

Do you have previous experience in the world of politics and government?

Yes, I have served in the General Assembly from 2012 to the present; the Senate for one term, and General Assembly from 2002-2007.

What is the most important issue facing your constituency, and how do you plan to deal with it?

The most important issue, I believe is how expensive it is to live in New Jersey and raise a family, buy a house, own a business, etc. We need to reduce the tax burden all round to keep our current residents & businesses in the state and attract new businesses.

Why should voters vote for you?

Voters should vote for me because I will represent their views In Trenton and work to make New Jersey more affordable, competitive with other states, and attract and retain businesses. Further, I live in and work in Monmouth County and understand the challenges people are facing. In addition, I value our quality of life here and want to see the state’s finances improve so that people can thrive.