For Immediate Release: February 20, 2008

Contact: Amanda Woloshen, 908-267-1613

 Former Senate Presidents Bateman and McDermott Support Lance 

            Showing continued strength outside his home county of Hunterdon, Leonard Lance announced two significant endorsements for his campaign for the 7th Congressional district seat being vacated by Mike Ferguson, who is not running for re-election.

              Former GOP Gubernatorial Candidate, Senate President and Somerset County GOP leader Ray Bateman Sr. and Former Union County GOP Chairman and Senate President Francis X. McDermott have endorsed Leonard Lance for Congress.             

             “I am honored by the support of such respected leaders as Ray and Frank for my campaign for Congress. Their endorsements reflect the significant momentum of my campaign in Somerset and Union counties,” Lance stated. “I will seek Frank’s and Ray’s guidance not only throughout the primary campaign, but as a Congressman, when significant state and national issues arise.”

            “Leonard Lance has the conservative principles and ethical integrity we need in Washington,” Bateman said. “He will have an instant impact in Congress because he is an expert in the legislative process.”

              Bateman pointed to Lance’s record. “Leonard successfully sued Jim McGreevey to stop state borrowing for operating expenses and he stood up to his own party by opposing the 1997 Pension Bond borrowing plan. There are several good Republican candidates but Leonard Lance is the best of the bunch.”  

            “Right now, Leonard is leading the fight against Governor Corzine’s massive toll hike proposal.” McDermott continued. “And the ‘Lance Amendment’ that will prohibit state borrowing without voter approval is an integral part to any solution to our state’s fiscal problems.”

              “Leonard’s experience in solving problems and standing by his conservative fiscal principles, not just talking about it, is what sets him apart from the others in this race,” McDermott concluded. 

            These endorsements follow the endorsement of State Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean Jr. of Union County and the entire Somerset County Legislative delegation from the 16th district, State Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman, Assembly Republican Conference Leader Peter Biondi and Assemblywoman Denise Coyle.

              Lance enjoys broad base support in his home county of Hunterdon including all 17 Republican mayors elected in towns located in the 7th Congressional District. 

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Paid for by Lance for Congress