Democratic, Republican candidates in congressional primary
Page 4 • Wednesday, May 30, 2018 • The Hammonton Gazette
PRIMARY, from Page 1
Bridgeton.
However, after 23 years, the dis-
trict’s congressional seat became
available to a newcomer from ei-
ther side after LoBiondo an-
nounced in January 2018 that he
would not seek re-election for a
13th consecutive term.
With the June 5 New Jersey Pri-
mary Election soon approaching,
registered Democratic and Repub-
lican voters will select which of the
following eight congressional can-
didates will face off in November
to become the district’s next repre-
sentative:
Robert D.
Turkavage
(R)
Robert
“ Tu r k ”
Turkavage is
running in
the Republi-
can primary
for the Sec-
ond Con-
gressional
Robert D. Turkavage District seat.
Turkavage, 63, is a 32-year veteran
of the Federal Bureau of Investiga-
tion (FBI) and retired after rising to
the level of Supervisory Special
Agent. He and his wife ( Sarah
“Sally” Plum), also a retired FBI
Special Agent) live in Brigantine.
They have a daughter, Sarah.
Turkavage also has two children
from a previous marriage.
During his time with the FBI,
Turkavage supervised two squads:
the Public Corruption and Govern-
ment Fraud Squad, both in New
York City. After retiring, he was a
Vice President in the Fraud Preven-
tion Unit at JPMorgan Chase Bank
for seven years.
Turkavage said he would put the
interests of the country first if
elected to Congress. He cited cy-
bersecurity as a top concern.
“My concern is that we don’t
know what we don’t know,” he
said, stating that the nation’s energy
grid, missile defense system and
communications systems could all
be impacted by a digital breach.
He said he felt he was qualified
to succeed the retiring LoBiondo.
“I’m the best candidate. Frank
was against the tax bill, similarly I
was against the tax bill … I am the
most experienced candidate out
there. I have a knowledge of the is-
sues,” Turkavage said.
Several communities in the dis-
trict, including Atlantic City,
Vineland, Millville and Bridgeton,
are financially disadvantaged.
Turkavage said these communities
need reinvestment in several key
areas.
“Corporations, when they are de-
ciding where to locate a business,
look at the tax ramifications, the
crime rate, the education system
and the infrastructure. The jobs will
come if the circumstances are pres-
ent,” Turkavage said, citing im-
proving education as a key factor
to improving economic conditions.
If elected, Turkavage said he
would work with Republicans and
Democrats.
“You could be the smartest, the
most knowledgeable, but if you
can’t get along with people, get
along with Republicans and De-
mocrats, you’re not going to get
anything done … I’m going down
there because I want to do some-
thing to mitigate some of these
problems that we have,” Turkavage
said.
Tanzira “Tanzie” Youngblood
(D)
Tanzira “Tanzie” Youngblood
(D) is running in this year’s pri-
mary race with the hopes of be-
coming the first Democrat to
represent New Jersey’s Second
Congressional District since
William J. Hughes did from 1974
to 1993.
Young-
blood is a
resident of
Woolwich
Tw p . ,
where she
h a s
resided for
ap