Congressman Frank LoBiondo Will Not Seek Re-Election in 2018
By HARRY HURLEY
Political Columnist
United States Congressman Frank LoBiondo, R-2 has provided me with the exclusive that he will be retiring from Congress at the end of his current term.
LoBiondo was first elected in what became known as “The Republican Revolution” of 1994. This is the election when Republicans won back the majority of the House of Representatives for the first time in 40 years.
Newt Gingrich became House Speaker and the Republican majority went on to fulfill each and every promise made during the campaign in their “Contract with America.”
LoBiondo first defeated then Atlantic County State Senator Bill Gormley in a hotly contested Republican Primary in June 1994. LoBiondo went on to defeat Democratic challenger Lou Magazzu 65 percent to 35 percent in November 1994.
LoBiondo will serve a District 2 record twelve (12) consecutive terms and he has confirmed to me that he fully intends to serve the remaining 14 months of his current term. LoBiondo has never received less than 59 percent of the vote in a district that narrowly favors a Democratic candidate on paper.
Sometimes in life you don’t know what you have until it’s gone. LoBiondo has served the district with honor and distinction. He has also wielded significant political power in a humble and benevolent manner.
LoBiondo has served and chaired some of the most important Committees in the United States Congress including:
Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces, Subcommittee on Readiness, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Chairman of the subcommittee on Aviation, Chairman of the subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, Permanent Select Committee, Armed Services Committee to name some of LoBiondo’s relevant committee assignments over the years.
LoBiondo’s career is marked by numerous critical moments of truth. His clout in the legislature saved our region from closures on several occasions. LoBiondo also was largely responsible for the William J. Hughes FAA Technical Center from being relocated to another state.
LoBiondo was also integral in securing the Stockton Aviation Research and Technology Park, the first building groundbreaking took place this past May 15, 2017. This is a 58-acre park located adjacent to the FAA Technical Center. This is the first of seven buildings that are planned.
It’s being developed in the mode of a campus to promote collaborative efforts between business, education and research entities of the federal government.
In electoral politics, interested parties move very fast, even when a local Mount Rushmore figure like LoBiondo prepares to retire. New Jersey State Senator Jeff Van Drew, D-1 is the current front-runner in my view. He may have been prepared to jump into this race even if LoBiondo had decided to run for re-election.
Several well-placed sources have confirmed to me that former United States Congressman Patrick Kennedy may be interested in the seat. Even before LoBiondo’s decision to retire the Democratic Congressional Committee had already labeled this seat one of the 20 that they were targeting in the top tier list in pursuit of trying to recapture the majority.
On the Republican side, former New Jersey Assemblyman Vince Polistina is a potential candidate. Current Assemblyman/Senator-elect Chris Brown will also be encouraged to take a look at this race.
In fairness to LoBiondo, some will speculate that he is leaving now to avoid a Primary Challenge in June 2018. Or, that he’s leaving because of a strained relationship with United States President Donald Trump.
LoBiondo assured me that this is not the case. He has been contemplating for the past month whether or not to seek a 13th term. He recently came to a very tough decision that “now is the time to give someone else the opportunity to serve the district,” said LoBiondo.
Some will complain that LoBiondo stayed too long. I predict that he will be sorely missed. LoBiondo cornered the market on constituent service. He never mugged for the television cameras or radio microphones. He focused on taking care of the needs of his District.
I’ve personally witnessed LoBiondo drive 3 1/2 hours to attend a funeral or other important event in the District. Then, he would turn right around and drive back to our nation’s capital to cast a vote.
LoBiondo drove his own car. A car that he personally paid for. He paid for his own health care insurance. He staffed his offices under budget for all 24 years. His accessibility to me and all media members was extraordinary. Whether it was good news or bad news, LoBiondo would never hide.
Congressman LoBiondo will be genuinely missed. In the era of “Drain The Swamp,” “The Baby just went out with the Bath Water.”
