Bob Hugin
Office Sought: U.S. Senate, representing New Jersey
Political Party: Republican
Age: 64
Career: Retired former pharmaceutical executive
Campaign Website: bobhugin.com
No. of Tweets: 888
No. of Facebook Followers: 12,924
Biography: Hugin describes himself as a "New Jersey success story" who came from humble beginnings to live the American Dream. A graduate of Princeton, he touts both his experience as a Marine and as CEO of pharmaceutical giant Celgene.
On the Issues:
Israel
"Bob considers Israel among our most valued allies and supports officially recognizing Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel, as well as the Administration’s recent decision to relocate the United States Embassy to the city.He supports a continued Israeli-Palestinian peace process that results in a two-state solution where the Palestinians unambiguously recognize Israel’s right to exist. Bob considers Israel a beacon of democracy and innovation in the Middle East and throughout the world."
Energy
"Bob is a strong proponent of American energy independence and supports a multi-faceted energy strategy that includes more domestic production of oil and natural gas and continued support of nuclear power, which currently provides nearly 40% of New Jersey’s net electricity generation. He also backs smart investment in renewable energy sources like solar and wind. Bob opposes all drilling off the east coast. Period. It’s bad for the environment and the risk is far too high for our successful fishing and tourism industries."
Immigration Reform
"We need to fix our immigration system in a comprehensive and compassionate way. That means securing our borders, opposing so-called Sanctuary Cities, and supporting law enforcement as they keep our communities safe. It also means creating a path to citizenship for Dreamers and immigrants who may not have come here legally, but are building productive and constructive lives in America.
As a former United States Marine, Bob strongly supports putting in place measures that protect America from foreign terrorists who seek to do us harm. Bob will work with the President and leaders in both parties to enhance our vetting process and reform our visa and green card programs to ensure that our homeland is secure and our citizens are safe."
LGBTQ Rights
"Bob Hugin believes every American should have equal opportunity to pursue the American Dream free from any discrimination in employment, housing, medical and elderly care, access to fair credit, and education. As a veteran, he believes that any American who is qualified and able to serve in our nation’s armed forces should be given the opportunity to serve their country. That must include all members of the LGBTQ community and Bob opposes any attempt to ban transgender Americans from our nation’s armed forces. He is pro-marriage equality and he will work to protect the freedoms and equality of all Americans."
National Defense
"Bob spent 14 years in the United States Marine Corps, seven on active duty and seven in the reserves. In the Senate, he will be a proponent of increased defense spending to ensure a highly-prepared, trained, and effective armed forces. Bob will also fight to bring additional key missions to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, Picatinny Arsenal, and Naval Weapons Station Earle, as well as the Air National Guard 177th Fighter Wing at Atlantic City Airport and the US Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May."
Education
"Bob is a product of Union City Public Schools and was the first in his family to attend college. He believes the path to real economic opportunity begins with a high-quality education and the opportunity to pursue one should not be based on one’s socioeconomic status or zip code. New Jersey has some of the best schools in the nation, but still too many children are left behind. Bob supports investment to make high-quality preschool available to every child, as well as investing in our public schools, expanding vocational-technical opportunities, and providing parents and students with choice through charter schools."
Healthcare
"Bob believes we need to address the increasing inequality of health outcomes and the social and economic issues impacting health care in our communities, while ensuring that high-quality care is accessible, affordable and delivers better value to all Americans. Bob will push for reforms that stop the system from discriminating against the sickest Americans and advocate for making payment systems based on value, performance and evidence-based approaches that provide transparency on cost and patient outcomes."
Environment
"Bob is an avid boater, fisherman, and conservationist who believes that climate change is real and that humans play a role in it. Bob will work with people in both parties to safeguard our air and water, and encourage the President to enter into agreements that protect our environment, while ensuring they are fair deals for American taxpayers and businesses. Additionally, he will support policies that encourage technological innovation and growing our renewable energy sector so that America will be a leader in clean, affordable energy."
Jobs and the Economy
"As someone who has grown a business and helped to create thousands of good paying jobs right here in New Jersey, Bob understands the need for innovative policies that encourage economic growth and make our state more attractive for employees and employers. New Jersey is becoming increasingly unaffordable. Millennials – those aged 18 to 34 – are leaving our state at the highest rate in the country, decimating our state’s future workforce. Seniors and high earners are leaving New Jersey at a rapid pace, taking with them the capital we need to create new enterprises and the tax revenue we need to support critical government functions and charitable giving. The future Bob envisions for New Jersey is a bright one where our economy is growing, businesses small and large are thriving, and people have good paying jobs to support themselves and their families."
Taxes and Infrastructure
"While the new tax reform bill will deliver real relief for many New Jerseyans and help spur economic growth and job creation, the fact remains that New Jersey is a high-tax state unfairly impacted by the $10,000 cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions. Bob will fight to eliminate the cap, and make the individual tax cuts permanent, so New Jersey taxpayers can realize meaningful long-term relief. He will use his decades of private sector business experience to secure expanded investment in New Jersey’s priorities like transportation infrastructure, our military bases, higher education, healthcare, and beach replenishment. And he will fight for projects like Gateway, which includes the Portal North Bridge and Hudson Tunnel projects serving New Jersey, New York City and the entire Northeast Corridor."
Government Reform
"Incumbent Senator Bob Menendez has been severely admonished by the Senate Ethics Committee – a rare and bipartisan action taken by the Committee – for violating federal law and abusing his position. As Senator, Bob Hugin will not accept any gifts from anyone, nor will he accept a taxpayer-funded salary. He has also committed to putting all of his assets in a blind trust, which will be restricted to investment and mutual funds. Neither he nor the Trustee will have access to any information on any specific investments being made. In addition, he will support and sponsor legislation to pass term limits for both Members of the House of Representatives and the United States Senate. Gerrymandering and the powers of incumbency have protected ineffective career politicians for too long."
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