Mark McGovern
By Donald Wittkowski
Mark McGovern
Mark McGovern, 58, of New Gretna, has more than 35 years of experience in technology and operations in the financial services industry. He is a senior vice president at Citigroup.
McGovern wasn’t available for a video interview with MediaWize, but he briefly outlined his campaign in an email. In the email and on his website, McGovern, a motorcycle enthusiast, calls himself the “Biker for Trump.”
“My platform is simple: I am the only Biker for Trump running nationwide. I'm pro 2nd amendment. (I) used to own a gun shop.”
He also said intends to push for voter ID laws and is opposed to having New Jersey serve as a sanctuary state for illegal immigrants.
McGovern is trying to distinguish himself in the Republican primary by stressing his local roots and portraying himself as a political outsider. He says, like Trump, “he’s changing the rules.”
“Mark McGovern is NOT a politician,” his website says. “He’s a local. He lives and breathes South Jersey. He can go toe to toe with career politicians.”0
https://youtu.be/rTHMOqM22Jk
Hirsh Singh, who finished third in last year’s Republican gubernatorial primary, touts himself as a “problem-solver” as he pursues the GOP nomination in the Second Congressional District.
Highlighting his conservative credentials, the 32-year-old engineer, who lives in Linwood, maintains he is the only Republican candidate who has the financial resources to defeat the “Democratic machine.”
“This is one of the top five races in the entire country,” he said.
Singh wants to capitalize on his experience as a government defense, security and technology contractor to bring high-quality jobs to South Jersey and lower the region’s unemployment rate.
“I’m an engineer, and as an engineer, I’m a trained problem-solver,” he said.
Singh is the senior director of operations of Hi-Tech Systems, an Egg Harbor Township company headed by his father, Trib Singh. Hi-Tech Systems does business with the Department of Defense, Federal Aviation Administration, NASA and other federal agencies.
Stressing his roots in Atlantic County, Singh characterizes himself as “a South Jersey guy” who is eager to go to Congress to fight for funding and better deals for the region. He is pushing for bigger state and local tax deductions to make New Jersey more affordable.
“We have ridiculously high taxes across our state,” he said.
https://youtu.be/e-gz38YIdbY
James Toto, 48, a Somers Point councilman, has had a diverse work career that he believes gives him unique insights into the major industries in the Second Congressional District, including tourism, fishing, farming, aviation and casino gaming.
“I can speak intelligently about any industry that is going on here,” Toto said, noting that he has worked in those fields at one time or another.
Toto is a veteran who formerly served in the U.S. Army in special psychological operations. He is also a former federal air marshal, one of the armed agents that protect commercial airlines from terrorism. He said his military and law enforcement background makes him the most qualified candidate in the area of counterterrorism.
His background also includes experience in farming, trucking, airport management and as a helicopter pilot, among other careers. Currently, he works as a supervisor in the Ocean City Department of Public Works.
Toto believes he has the ability, more than any other congressional candidate, to connect with everyday men and women.
“I’m the perfect voice. I am the people,” he said.
Toto scored an early victory in the campaign by winning the endorsement Saturday of the Salem County Republicans.
Although he is seeking congressional office, Toto emphasized he does not plan to make it a long-term career if he wins. He said members of Congress should serve no more than three terms, arguing that they become too heavily influenced by special interest groups over the long run.
“When you start taking money from special interest groups, that’s where you’re going to go,” he said.
https://youtu.be/tgahF1vyLoM
Robert Turkavage portrays himself as a moderate Republican who already has valuable experience dealing with federal and local issues stemming from his 40 years in public service.
“I have a firm grasp of federal issues and of local issues and solutions to both,” said Turkavage, 63, a Brigantine resident.
Turkavage is a retired FBI agent who specialized in rooting out public and government corruption while working in the bureau’s New York office during his 32-year career.
His bid for the Republican nomination in the Second Congressional District is not his first run for federal office. As an independent candidate, he challenged U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., in 2012, but captured less than 1 percent of the vote. He then sought to run as a Republican against U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., in 2014, but missed the filing deadline, according to news reports.
After announcing his candidacy for Congress, Turkavage conducted a “listening tour” throughout South Jersey to meet with voters about key issues affecting the region, including education, transportation, infrastructure and offshore drilling.
Like LoBiondo, Turkavage opposes a plan by President Trump’s administration to open up coastal waters to offshore gas and oil drilling. Critics of offshore drilling fear that an oil spill would severely harm the tourism and fishing industries at the Jersey Shore.
Turkavage said his listening tour allowed him to forge relationships with voters and to show that he has the temperament to be an effective congressman.
“That is the most essential ingredient a candidate can possess,” he said.
https://youtu.be/AR-O8km2EMw
Up to this point, John Zarych has been more of a behind-the-scenes person in the political world. Now, he is stepping into the spotlight in his first run for elected office.
The 70-year-old Zarych, who lives in Galloway Township, has been a lawyer for 40 years. He is a criminal defense attorney with offices in Northfield and Wildwood.
Despite his lack of experience running for office, he believes he could step right in as a congressman if he wins.
“I could start the job today,” he said.
He cited his involvement as a campaign chairman or aide while helping presidential, gubernatorial and local candidates run for office.
Zarych served as the Atlantic County coordinator for former Gov. Chris Christie, was Bret Schundler’s South Jersey chairman during Schundler’s unsuccessful bid for the Republican gubernatorial nomination and was part of U.S. Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaign in 2008.
Zarych said his law career has also prepared him for political office. As a criminal defense attorney, he deals “with crises all the time,” he pointed out.
As a candidate, Zarych is focusing on creating jobs, supporting local industries, such as farming and aviation, and combating the opioid epidemic.
He said he decided to seek the GOP nomination in the Second Congressional District after he was asked to run by a county GOP chairman. Zarych said he was also encouraged by a “long, productive talk” he had with the Republican national campaign.
