Democrat challenger Joseph Raich said he feels like he's partly running against the legacy of the late husband of Republican Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce in the 26th Legislative District race. BettyLou DeCroce took over the seat for her husband, Alex, who died suddenly in January. The candidates are running to finish the last year of Alex DeCroce's term.
Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce (R-Morris) said she doesn't care her Democratic challenger, Joseph Raich, in the 26th Legislative District feels like he's partly running against the legacy of her late husband.
"That's been out there for a long time," DeCroce said. "It's nothing new. My abilities speak for themselves."
Republican Minority Leader and Assemblyman Alex DeCroce died suddenly Jan. 9. His wife, BettyLou DeCroce, won a primary challenge in June and the right to run to serve out the second year of her husband's term.
Raich, who lost in a landslide to Alex DeCroce in 2011, said the late Assemblyman had lots of connections throughout the state, including Gov. Chris Christie. "So she has quite an allegiance to the governor," said Raich, of Parsippany.
BettyLou DeCroce, however, said her track record in public office and time spent in Trenton will make her more attractive to voters than Raich, who hasn't held office.
BettyLou DeCroce was voted into Mine Hill's council in 1981 and has served in several state and public level offices, including as deputy commissioner of the state Department of Community Affairs before joining the Assembly.
"I'm sorry my opponent cannot compare to my experience," DeCroce said.
Experience aside, the candidates' campaign platforms display stark differences.
Raisch said he wants to "change Trenton, how they operate and how they do business." He also said he wants to work draft legislation to help residents facing foreclosure and reform education classroom standards and college tuition costs.
Raisch also said he's a women's rights advocate. "Everything needs to change," said Raisch.
DeCroce said, if given a second term, would work toward a less intrusive government while working to pay down the state's debt. She also said she wanted to find ways to cut taxes and create jobs.
DeCroce said she wants to decrease unfunded mandates the state places on municipalities and "unnecessary" state spending.
The candidates, who both live in Parsippany, both said they would push legislation giving the state Office of Emergency Management authorization to lower reservoir levels in the event of a weather catastrophe.
Regarding her relationship with Christie, Raisch said DeCroce wouldn't challenge the governor if elected. Raisch, however, didn't say when DeCroce has backed down to Christie.
DeCroce disputed Raisch's rubber-stamp assertion. "If I don't agree with something, I have a mind of my own," she said. "I make choices based on what I feel is best for the people in New Jersey."
Raisch is a former employee of the Star-Ledger, a NJ.com media partner.
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