If you’re going to represent a Congressional district, you might as well live there, right?
Martin Hewitt, a GOP challenger for Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen’s (R-11th Dist.) seat, announced on Wednesday that he’s moving on New Year’s Day from East Brunswick to Morris Township, “the social and geographical heart of the district.”
Although there is no legal requirement for members of Congress to reside in their districts, Democratic hopeful Mikie Sherrill has expressed her intention to relocate to the 11th District as well. She lives just beyond the district boundary, which runs through her hometown of Montclair.
Meanwhile, longtime Frelinghuysen backer Finn Wentworth is withdrawing his financial support because of the Congressman’s votes for the GOP health plan and concealed- carry gun law, according to a newspaper report.
The Morristown real estate magnate told the Bergen Record he is for Sherrill, because Frelinghuysen is “alienating the community that I’m a member of.”
Earlier this week, Democratic candidate John Bartlett exited the 2018 race, to concentrate on seeking re-election as a Passaic County freeholder.
Still running: Democrats Mitchell Cobert of Morristown, Tamara Harris and Mark Washburne.
Here is Hewitt’s announcement.
Hewitt Announces Move to Morris Township
Change of address brings him to the center of the 11th Congressional District
MORRIS TOWNSHIP, NJ — Martin Hewitt is serious about challenging Rodney Frelinghuysen in the 2018 Republican Primary for Congress, and unlike most politicians, he is putting his money where his mouth is.
Hewitt, formerly of East Brunswick, recently signed a lease for an apartment in the heart of Morris Township, and is moving on Jan. 1, 2018, to be in the heart of the 11th District.
“Even before moving into this district, I have met with more residents of the District than Mr. Frelinghuysen, who only meets with ardent supporters,” said Hewitt.
“I want to understand the concerns of this community as best I can, and I have felt for a long time that the best way to truly do that was by moving to Morris Township, the social and geographical heart of the district.”
Hewitt’s grassroots campaign has thus far consisted of small contributions from supporters on both the left and the right of the political spectrum. Hewitt describes himself as “socially liberal, fiscally conservative.”
More information about Hewitt and the 11th Congressional District can be found at www.hewittforcongress.com
