The Democratic and Republican candidates running to replace Gov. Chris Christie get most of the media and public's attention, but five other hopefuls are in the race, including a pastor involved in high-profile efforts to assist refugees and immigrants facing deportation.

The Rev. Seth Kaper-Dale is running as the Green Party candidate. Libertarian Party nominee Peter Rohrman is a Marine veteran who wants to legalize marijuana and end "corporate welfare" while also "maximizing personal freedom."

Gina Genovese, a former mayor for the Morris County town of Long Hill, has focused on lowering the state's property taxes. Also running is Constitution Party candidate Matthew Riccardi, who wants to fix the state's "failed system of corruption" and return power to the people.

New Jersey voters go to the polls Nov. 7 to pick a successor between those five and Democrat Phil Murphy and Republican Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno to replace the term-limited Christie.

  • Gina Genovese (Courage to Connect)
    Gina Genovese (Courage to Connect)
    loading...
    GINA GENOVESE

    'Reduce Property Taxes'

    A former mayor for the Morris County town of Long Hill, Genovese is focusing her campaign on lowering New Jersey's highest-in-the-nation property taxes.

    Genovese, who is running as an independent under the banner "Reduce Property Taxes," is the founder of Courage to Connect NJ, a nonprofit that advocates for a more efficiently run government.

    Genovese also has called for a voter referendum on legalizing marijuana to generate money that could be used to lower property taxes. She also has recommended changes that could help reduce fiscal concerns related to the state pension plan, including rules that would tie pensions to lifetime salary and require that workers fully retire before pensions are paid.

    A former pro tennis player, Genovese has owned and operated Gina's Tennis World in Berkeley Heights for nearly 35 years. Besides serving in Long Hill, she unsuccessfully sought a state senate seat in 2007.

    Genovese and her wife were married in October 2013. They have been together for 20 years.

    Read more about how she stands on the issues at her campaign website.

  • (Seth Kaper-Dale for Governor)
    (Seth Kaper-Dale for Governor)
    loading...
    SETH KAPER-DALE

    Green Party

    Kaper-Dale, co-pastor of the Reformed Church of Highland Park, is seeking the state's top office because "politics is so much about the first being first, and that needs to change."

    Kaper-Dale believes that by focusing on social justice and helping low-income earners, homeless veterans and other vulnerable residents, society overall can be improved.

    "That's how you transform a society, by nurturing everybody," he said.

    The Green Party nominee also cites his leadership skills, describing himself as a good administrator who builds up those around him, listens to their ideas and "rides their creativity."

    Among his priorities would be addressing health care by developing a cheaper, better system to ensure everyone gets the "excellent care they deserve." He believes this would also provide savings that could be used to benefit the state in other economic areas, such as funding the state pension plan and reducing property taxes.

    Kaper-Dale has never held elected office. He has been involved in high-profile efforts in recent months to assist refugees and people facing deportation, including a group of Christians deported to Indonesia in May.

    Read more about how he stands on the issues at his campaign website.

  • (Pete Rorhman for Governor)
    (Pete Rorhman for Governor)
    loading...
    PETER ROHRMAN

    Libertarian Party

    The Libertarian Party candidate is a Marine Corps veteran who says he believes in "maximizing personal freedom."

    Rohrman, of Ramsey, has never held elected office. He unsuccessfully sought a seat on the Bergen County Board of Freeholders in 2015.

    Rohrman's platform includes tax reform, expanding school choice and legalizing marijuana.

    He has called for reducing the size of state government and eliminating the state's gas, sales and income taxes, saying New Jersey's "out of control" taxes are leaving the state's middle class struggling to survive. He also wants to end "corporate welfare" and government bailouts.

    Rohrman also says New Jersey should be a concealed-carry state and that all non-violent criminals being held in state prisons should be immediately pardoned.

    Rohrman is an operations director for an internet-service provider and is a single father with two teenage boys.

    Read more about how he stands on the issues at his campaign website.

  • (Matthew Riccardfor Governor)
    (Matthew Riccardfor Governor)
    loading...
    MATTHEW RICCARDI

    Constitution Party

    Running as the Constitution Party's candidate, Riccardi says he chose to seek the governor's office to fix the "failed system of corruption" and return power to the people.

    Riccardi wants to eliminate the state income tax as of 2019 and has called for the state's gas tax to be repealed. He also will seek to cut property taxes up to 10 percent.

    Riccardi is a school choice proponent who also wants to eliminate the state's current testing standards. He also plans legislation that would allow gun owners to open carry and conceal carry without needing permits.

    He also will seek to make the health care system more competitive and get more doctors to join the network of NJ Family Care, the state's publicly funded health insurance program. He also wants to reform NJ Family Cares to improve services.

    The Neptune resident served in the Marine Corps and is married with three children.

    Read more about where he stands on the issues at his campaign website.

  • VINCENT ROSS

    'We the People'

    Ross, an Edison resident running as an independent under the "We the People" banner, has announced his candidacy but has not released formal statements regarding his positions on the issues.

     

More From New Jersey 101.5 FM