Leonard Lance

Infobox State Representative
small

name = Leonard Lance
state = New Jersey
office = Candidate for ushr|New Jersey|7
state_senate2 = New Jersey
district2 = 23rd
term_start2 = 2002
alongside2 =
preceded2 =
succeeded2 = Incumbent
state_assembly3 = New Jersey
district3 = 23rd
term_start3 = 1991
term_end3 = 2002
succeeded3 = Michael J. Doherty
birth_date = Birth date and age|1952|6|25|mf=y
birth_place =
alma_mater = Lehigh University (Bachelor's Degree); Vanderbilt University (Law Degree); Princeton University (Master's Degree)
occupation =
spouse = Heidi A. Rohrbach
residence =
religion = Roman Catholic
website = http://www.leonardlance.com/

Leonard Lance (born June 25, 1952) is an American Republican Party politician, who has served as a member of the New Jersey Senate since 2002, where he represents the 23rd Legislative District. He is the Republican candidate for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing New Jersey's 7th District, in the election scheduled for November 4, 2008.

Early life

Leonard Lance was born into a political family. His father, Wesley L. Lance was a State Senator. [ [http://region.princeton.edu/about_advisory_bio_54.html Hon. Leonard Lance (MPA '82)] , Princeton University Policy Research Institute for the Region, accessed May 11, 2007.] His great-uncle, H. Kiefer Lance, was also in New Jersey politics.

After attending North Hunterdon High School in Annandale, New Jersey, Lance received a B.A. from Lehigh University, a J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School and an M.P.A. from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University.

Political career

Leonard Lance served as the law clerk to the Warren County Court in 1977 and 1978. He was assistant counsel for county and municipal matters to Governor of New Jersey Thomas Kean from 1983 to 1990. He was a member of the New Jersey Council on the Humanities during the Whitman Administration by appointment of the Governor.

Before his election to the New Jersey State Senate in 2002, Lance served in the New Jersey General Assembly for 10 years (1991-2001), where he served as the Appropriations Chair from 2000 to 2001 and the Budget Vice Chairman from 1995 to 1999. He held the position of Minority Leader of the Senate from 2004 to 2007.

Lance serves on the Joint Budget Oversight Committee, the Legislative Services Commission and the Budget and Appropriations Committee. [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/BIO.asp?Leg=71 Senator Lance's legislative web page] , New Jersey Legislature. Accessed April 16, 2008.] He is currently the Republican Budget Officer.

He is currently a trustee of the Newark Museum, of Centenary College in Hackettstown and of McCarter Theatre in Princeton.

2008 Congressional Run

On June 3, 2008, Lance won the Republican primary to replace retiring Congressman Mike Ferguson in the New Jersey's 7th congressional district with 40% of the vote, defeating six challengers. [ [http://www.nj.com/centraljersey/index.ssf/2008/06/lance_takes_7th_district_gop_r.html "Lance takes 7th District GOP race"] , "The Star-Ledger", June 4, 2008. Accessed June 4, 2008.] The primary left his campaign's funds depleted, leading him to hold several fundraisers, including one with President George W. Bush. Touring his district, he has been running on a platform of fiscal conservatism, moderate social values, and environmentalism. He has vowed to be "an independent voice" in Congress if elected.

His Democratic opponent is Linda Stender, a New Jersey Assemblywoman who unsuccessfully challenged Republican incumbent Ferguson in 2006.

During the campaign, Lance has taken strong positions against the Alternative Minimum Tax, Governor Jon Corzine's controversial toll hike plan, and the partisan nature of the United States Congress. He has come under fire from Stender's campaign for his 2006 vote in the New Jersey Senate against a bill which prevented pharmacists from dispensing medication such as birth control pills due to religious concerns. Lance was one of only a few Senators to vote against the bill. Lance is firmly opposed to negotiations with Iran on the presidential level, saying that he only favors holding such talks on a ministerial level. He has also made energy independence one of his signature issues.

District 23

Each of the forty districts in the New Jersey Legislature has one representative in the New Jersey Senate and two members in the New Jersey General Assembly. The other representatives from the 23rd District for the 2008-2009 Legislative Session are:
*Assemblyman Michael J. Doherty, and
*Assemblywoman Marcia A. Karrow

References

External links

* [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/BIO.asp?Leg=71 Senator Lance's legislative web page] , New Jersey Legislature
*"New Jersey Legislature financial disclosure forms"
** [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ethics/FinancialDisclosure/LanceL2007.pdf 2007] [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ethics/FinancialDisclosure/LanceL2006.pdf 2006] [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ethics/FinancialDisclosure/LanceL2005.pdf 2005] [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ethics/FinancialDisclosure/LanceL2004.pdf 2004]
* [http://www.njvoterinfo.org/cb/Lance.html New Jersey Voter Information Website 2003]
* [http://www.leonardlance.com/ Leonard Lance for Congress 2008]