Webber for Assembly

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 14, 2006
CONTACT: (973) 723-3624

JAY WEBBER FORMS EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE
Conservative Begins Process of Seeking 26th District Assembly Seat

(Morris Plains, NJ) Jay Webber announced today that he is forming an Exploratory Committee to begin a campaign for a seat representing the 26th Legislative District in the New Jersey State Assembly.

"Today I take the first steps toward a full-fledged campaign for the New Jersey State Assembly," said Webber. "Now more than ever, the New Jersey Republican Party needs strong, principled leaders in Trenton with the courage of their convictions. The 26th District, a Republican stronghold, should provide those leaders." Webber will campaign for the Assembly seat being vacated by Assemblyman Joe Pennacchio, who is seeking the Republican nomination for State Senate in 2007.

Webber made clear that fiscal responsibility will be a hallmark of his candidacy. "I will continue to fight against the Democrat schemes of borrowing more to spend more, and then sticking the residents of the 26th District, and their children, with the bill," said Webber. Already on the front lines of that fight, Webber has twice taken on the Democrats by representing State Senate Republican Leader Leonard Lance, State Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce, and the Republican State Committee in lawsuits against Governors McGreevey and Codey over unconstitutional bonding schemes. The rulings in Lance v. McGreevey and Lance v. Codey, both favorable for New Jersey taxpayers and the Republican plaintiffs, represent two of the most significant New Jersey court decisions of the past decade.

"Our agenda is simple and clear. We must control State spending so we can provide real relief to New Jersey's families. In the process, we will begin to reform State government and restore the People's trust with the only sure-fire anti-corruption plan I know of: reclaiming power and money from the Democrats in Trenton and returning it to the People themselves. Over the next several months, I look forward to speaking with the citizens of the 26th District about their ideas for the future of the State, and how I can best serve them in the Assembly to achieve our common goals," said Webber.

Webber also pointed to his already-strong support among Republican primary voters. "My campaign will build on a broad base of grassroots support that came together during our run for the State Senate in 2003, and has since stayed together and gathered strength. That coalition includes overtaxed and underappreciated working families, women hoping to keep the doctors of their choice, and citizens guided by respect for traditional values," said Webber.

Webber's experience in government and public policy extends back more than a decade. He became the budget staffer in Washington, D.C. for U.S. Representative Bill Martini (R-NJ) in 1995, as Republicans took control of Congress for the first time in 40 years, and passed the first balanced budget in over a generation. The next year, Webber served as Congressman Martini's District Director and Campaign Manager in New Jersey. After serving on the staff of the Manhattan Institute, a public policy think tank based in New York City, and graduating from Harvard Law School in 2000, Webber clerked for former New Jersey Supreme Court Justice Peter Verniero.

Webber was raised in Passaic County and now lives and works in Morris County. A 34-year-old husband and father, he practices law with the law firm of Drinker Biddle & Reath in Florham Park. After beginning his marriage as a resident of Chatham Borough, Webber moved to Morris Plains with his wife Johanna and daughters Annie and Molly.

The 26th District includes 15 towns in Passaic and Morris Counties.

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