Infobox State Senator
name = John Adler
state = New Jersey
office = Democratic nominee for the U.S. House of Representatives for ushr|New Jersey|3
state_senate1 = New Jersey
district1 = 6th
term_start1 = 1992
alongside1 =
preceded1 =
succeeded1 = Incumbent
birth_date = Birth date and age|1959|8|23|mf=y
birth_place = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
alma_mater = Harvard College,
Harvard Law School
profession = Attorney
spouse = Shelley Levitan Adler
residence = Cherry Hill Township, New Jersey
religion = Jewish
website = http://www.adlerforcongress.com
John Herbert Adler (born August 23, 1959) is a candidate for the United States Congress and an American Democratic Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey State Senate since 1992, where he represents the 6th Legislative District. Adler was Democratic Conference Chair from 2002-03 and Assistant Minority Leader from 1994-2001.Adler was one of the first elected officials in New Jersey to endorse Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination in a state where the party establishment supported Hillary Clinton.
Senator Adler currently serves on the Judiciary Committee (as Chair) and the Environment Committee. Prior to his election to the Senate, Adler served on the Cherry Hill Township Council from 1988-1989. He has served on the New Jersey Israel Commission since 1995, and on the New Jersey Intergovernmental Relations Commission from 1994-2002.On July 28, 2006, Senator Adler was appointed Co-Chairman of the Joint Legislative Committee on Public School Funding Reform along with Assemblyman Herb Conaway.
On October 7, 2003, along with Rep. Bill Pascrell of New Jersey's 8th Congressional District, Sen. Adler formally endorsed Senator John Kerry for President and became the Co-Chairman of John Kerry's campaign in the Garden State. Shortly afterwards on December 19, 2003, Governor of New Jersey Jim McGreevey and most of the New Jersey Democratic Party came out in support of Former Governor of Vermont Howard Dean for President. Because of this endorsement for Kerry, and Kerry's decisive win in the Democratic Primary, Senator Adler was rumored as the frontrunner for U.S. Attorney for New Jersey if the Senator from Massachusetts had won the 2004 presidential election.
Adler received a A.B. from Harvard College in Government, and earned a Juris doctor
J.D. from Harvard Law School.[ [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/BIO.asp?Leg=17 Senator Adler's legislative web page] , New Jersey Legislature. Accessed February 24, 2008.] He was born in Philadelphia, and currently resides in Cherry Hill Township. [ [http://www.vote-smart.org/bio.php?can_id=4171 Senator John H. Adler] , Project Vote Smart. Accessed September 21, 2007.] ]He currently resides in Cherry Hill with his four sons, Jeffrey, Alexander, Andrew, and Oliver, as well as his wife, Shelley.
1990 Congressional Run
In 1990, Adler, then a former Cherry Hill Councilman, challenged incumbent Jim Saxton for his seat in ushr|New Jersey|13. Adler was ultimately defeated by Saxton by a wide margin of 60% to 40%. What was then the 13th Congressional District included Burlington, Camden and Ocean, essentially the same counties as the present day 3rd Congressional District. [King, Wayne. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE0DB1730F934A35752C1A966958260 " The 1990 Elections: New Jersey - Congressional Races; Voters Angry, but Not at Incumbents"] , "The New York Times", November 7, 1990. Accessed August 11, 2008.]
2008 Congressional Run
On September 20, 2007, Senator Adler announced that he planned to challenge incumbent Rep. Jim Saxton in ushr|New Jersey|3 for a second time. [Hester Jr., Tom (Associated Press). [http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newjersey/ny-bc-nj--adler-saxton0920sep20,0,641716.story "State Sen. Adler to challenge Saxton for Congress"] , "Newsday", September 20, 2007. Accessed September 21, 2007.] On November 9, 2007, Saxton announced that he would not seek reelection in 2008, citing prostate cancer, leaving the seat open in the upcoming congressional elections. [Hernandez, Raymond. [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/10/us/politics/10saxton.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1196572930-whAzTi2tav27hzd9pGVZ3w "Citing Health, Lawmaker Announces Plan to Retire"] , "The New York Times", November 10, 2007. Accessed December 1, 2007. "Representative Jim Saxton of New Jersey, a Republican who has served in Congress since 1984, said Friday that he would not seek re-election next year because he has prostate cancer."] Senator Adler has been endorsed by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and its Chairman Rep. Chris Van Hollen in late November. John Adler, who ran uncontested through the primaries, will now run against Republican Medford Mayor, former businessman, and Gulf War veteran Chris Myers. [ [http://www.chrismyersforcongress.com/ About Chris] , Chris Myers (New Jersey). Accessed August 8, 2008.] The only third-party candidate in this race is Edward Forchion, who will be running under the "Legalize Marijuana (G.R.I.P.)" Party.Adler has shown himself to be a formidable candidate, having ten times as much cash on hand as of June 30, 2008, with $1.4 million in cash on hand, compared to Myers' $155,000.[Smith, Bridget. [http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008808030375 "Adler has big edge over Myers in raising campaign funds"] , "Courier-Post", August 3, 2008. Accessed August 6, 2008.] Adler had raised $1.9 million by the end of June 2008, the most money in the country of any non-incumbent congressional candidate. [ [http://www.politickernj.com/winners_losers/friday-july-18-2008 "Winners and Losers"] , "PolitickerNJ.com", July 18, 2008. Accessed August 6, 2008. "Democrat John Adler is a clear winner: he's raised $1.9 million for his third district race -- that's more than any non-incumbent candidate nationally."] [ [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?cycle=2008&id=NJ03 2008 Race: New Jersey District 03 - Total Raised and Spent] , Center for Responsive Politics. Accessed August 6, 2008.] ]Adler, who has a middle-class background, has been quick to "seize" the initiative concerning the recent financial crises. [ [ http://www.politickernj.com/adlerforcongress/23969/adler-seizes-initiative-economic-crisis] "Adler Seizes Initiative on Economic Crises"] , "PolitickerNJ", Sept 28, 2008. Accesssed Sept 28, 2008.] At an emergency summit in Mt. Laurel, Adler said the economic crisis that exploded this month magnified the importance of middle class taxpayer concerns, and made them Priority No. 1 for the next President and Congress. Adler said. "We will never get this economy back on the right track without electing those who offer fresh ideas, a new perspective to long-running problems and a break from the poisonous, bitter partisanship that stands in the way of progress on so many issues."
Thus far, Adler has received all of the statewide endorsements for the election, including those from the Teamsters, Fraternal Order of Police, New Jersey Environmental Federation, The Sierra Club, and Recreational Fishing Alliance, while Myers has received no statewide endorsements. [http://http://www.adlerforcongress.com/node/100 "Adler gets endorsement of Teamsters"] ,Cliff Nolan, a chairman with the Teamsters, explained that union's endorsement of Adler in a statement released by the candidate's campaign Thursday by calling Adler an "advocate for middle-class families and workers rights." In October, the 85,000 member Southern New Jersey Central Labor Council endorsed Adler for congress, citing his commitment to “labor’s working family agenda.” [ [http://www.nj.com/sunbeam/index.ssf?/base/news-4/122353502232390.xml&coll=9 “Labor Council Announces”] , “Today’s Sunbeam” October 9, 2008. Accessed October 9, 2008.]
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has committed $1.7 million in ad buys to Adler's campaign [ [http://dccc.org/newsroom/entry/asbury_park_press_national_gop_buys_no_ads_for_myers_in_3rd_district/] ] DCCC Chair Chris Van Hollen mentioned Adler and his strengths on national television during the Democratic National Convention in Denver. [ [http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS37573+27-Aug-2008+PRN20080827] ] Van Hollen said "And we're honored to have some of them with us tonight: from New Jersey's 3rd District, a fighter for the middle class, state Senator John Adler." Van Hollen has also assisted Adler with a fundraiser in New Jersey. According to Myers' campaign manager Chris Russell, the NRCC has committed $84,200 in coordinated ad buys with the Myers campaign - the maximum allowed by law. This comes on top of help the NRCC gave in financing an internal poll in September with the Myers campaign. [ [http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008809130344] ] .
Legislation
* Adler was co-sponsor of the New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act, enacted in 2006, which banned smoking in almost all public places, excluding casinos. [Gurney, Kaitlin. [http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-12286347_ITM "N.J. ban on indoor smoking passes: The Assembly sent the bill, with an exemption for casino floors, to Gov. Codey. He is expected to sign it Sunday."] , "The Philadelphia Inquirer", January 10, 2006. Accessed August 7, 2008.] Adler is one of three co-sponsors of a Senate bill submitted in 2008 that would extend the smoking ban to casinos and simulcasting facilities, which had been exempted in the earlier version of the ban. [ [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2008/Bills/S0500/236_I1.HTM 213th Legislature: S236] , New Jersey Legislature. Accessed August 8, 2008.]
* Adler co-sponsored legislation that strips government pensions from public employees who are convicted of or plead guilty to corruption charges. [Della Santi, Angela via the "Associated Press". [http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/104-08122007-1391655.html "Convicted N.J. pols stand to lose hefty pensions"] , "Burlington County Times", August 12, 2007. Accessed August 7, 2008. "'This is the cornerstone of the Legislature's anti-corruption legislation, which aims to make clear to prospective wrongdoers that there will be serious penalties for public corruption,' said Sen. John Adler, who co-sponsored the measure."] .
*Adler co-sponsored a bill that would expand voting rights for military personnel and New Jersey citizens overseas to include state and local elections. The bill was signed into law on August 12, 2008 by Governor Corzine. [Staff. [http://www.capemaycountyherald.com/article/33349-governor-signs-legislation-allowing-deployed-troops-vote-state-races "Governor Signs Legislation Allowing Deployed Troops to Vote in State Races"] , "Cape May County Herald", August 13, 2008. Accessed August 15, 2008.]
Polling
Non-partisan political analyst Stuart Rothenberg rates the Adler-Myers race as a toss-up that tilts slightly Democratic [ [http://rothenbergpoliticalreport.blogspot.com/2008/09/2008-house-ratings_30.html] ] , stating that the district, which is trending Democratic, represents one of the “toughest holds” in the country for Republicans. [ [http://rothenbergpoliticalreport.blogspot.com/2008/09/nrccs-spending-points-to-potential-hot.html “Rothenberg Political Report”] “Rothenberg Report”. Sept 17. 2008. Accessed October 7, 2008] Other political analysts, such as Charlie Cook and Larry Sabato, have ranked the race as "Toss-Up" or "No Clear Favorite" - lining up with recent poll data. [ [http://www.cookpolitical.com/charts/house/competitive.php] ] [ [http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/2008/house/?state=NJ] ] .The Pindell Report, from politickernj.com, lists Adler as favored over Myers in this race with the rating “Leans Dem.” [http://www.politicker.com/pindell-report/house “Pindell Report-House Races”] , “PindellReport” October 7, 2008. Accessed Oct 9, 2008. ] Meanwhile, non-partisan political analyst Reid Wilson writes that Adler’s “financial advantage over Republican Chris Myers is probably big enough to capture the seat.” The first public poll in the race, commissioned by The Press of Atlantic City and The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, shows Myers with 38.5% to Adler's 37.1%, with 22% of voters undecided. [ [http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/186/story/270066.html] ] .
A second public poll conducted by Monmouth University/Gannett New Jersey found Myers with 44% to Adler's 41%. Voters feel Myers would do a better job than Adler handling issues regarding the economy, 30% to 26%; national security, 31% to 24%; veterans' affairs, 31% to 23%; the war in Iraq, 28% to 23%; energy, 27% to 25%; and keeping taxes and spending under control, 30% to 23%. Adler was favored over Myers on health care, 28% to 25%; the environment, 27% to 25%; and who would be best able to help New Jersey families make ends meet, 32% to 30%. On the issue of Social Security, the candidates tied at 26% each. [ [http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008810070389] ] .
Controversies
* In 2006, Adler voted in favor of a New Jersey needle exchange program that would allow drug addicts to exchange their used needles for new ones. [ [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/Default.asp] Search Bill Number S494, Session 2006-2007; Click "Roll Call" on 3rd Final Passage.]
* In September 2008, Adler was criticized for holding stock in Dow Chemical, a primary polluter of Lake Huron. This is seen as hypocritical, as Adler calls himself a champion of the environment. [ [http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/183/story/266348.html] ] .
* In September 2008, it was revealed that Adler holds stock in Petro China, a company linked to the actions of genocide in Darfur, Sudan. Adler voted to divest New Jersey state funds from Sudanese interests, but did not remove his own finances from Petro China - thus prompting his opponent to bring the issue into public [ [http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/183/story/266348.html] ] . Adler has not said whether or not he will divest his Petro China stock after these allegations.
District 6
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 6th Legislative District for the 2008-2009 legislative session are:
*Assemblyman Louis Greenwald (D), and
*Assemblywoman Pamela Rosen Lampitt (D)
References
External links
* [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/BIO.asp?Leg=17 Senator John Adler] at the New Jersey Legislature
* [http://www.adlerforcongress.com John Adler for Congress] "official campaign website"
* [http://opensecrets.org/races/summary.asp?ID=NJ03&Cycle=2008 Campaign contributions] at OpenSecrets.org
* [http://njsendems.com/senator.asp?sid=6 Profile] at the "New Jersey Senate Democrats"
*"New Jersey Legislature financial disclosure forms"
** [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ethics/FinancialDisclosure/AdlerJ2007.pdf 2007] [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ethics/FinancialDisclosure/AdlerJ2006.pdf 2006] [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ethics/FinancialDisclosure/AdlerJ2005.pdf 2005] [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ethics/FinancialDisclosure/AdlerJ2004.pdf 2004]
*dmoz|Regional/North_America/United_States/New_Jersey/Society_and_Culture/Politics/Candidates_and_Campaigns/US_House/Congressional_District_3/John_Adler_%5bD%5d
