Bill, thank you for sitting down to chat with us.
News2A: Let’s start off by asking the obvious, why are you running for Governor in New Jersey?
Bill Spadea: I’m running for governor because just like our country before Donald Trump, New Jersey is currently just one election away from the brink of disaster. We cannot afford four more years of radical liberal control in Trenton. More personally, I’m running so that my kids can afford to move back to New Jersey and raise their families here.
News2A: What’s the singular most important message you have for all New Jersey residents, regardless of political affiliation?
Bill: We can’t fix what’s wrong with our state if we continue electing more of the same. It’s time for an outsider to come in and shake things up in Trenton. All of the other candidates running have been a part of the problem for years. If you want change and you want to make real progress fixing Trenton, then I’m your guy.
News2A: Do you sense that New Jersey is changing and if so, what precipitated that change?
Bill: New Jersey is definitely changing. President Trump started the shift and we intend to capitalize on that momentum this year to take back the Governor’s office. New Jerseyans are tired of politicians who are only looking out for themselves. It’s time for someone who puts the people first.
News2A: You made a run for a House seat in New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District in 2004. What did you learn from that experience and how are you applying it to the gubernatorial race?
Bill: I learned that hard work and connecting directly with voters still matters. We knocked on doors throughout the district during that campaign and came closer than anyone expected to winning in a deep blue district. Although I didn’t win, we moved the polls from 21% to 40% on Election Day in 5 weeks by knocking on 16,000 doors and walking 200 mikes to all 44 towns in the district. Even with strong Democrats a personal conversation uncovers common ground. We’re taking that same work ethic and dedication into this race.
News2A: For those who don’t know, you’ve been in the media for a long time, on talk radio in New Jersey (101.5 FM) and previously on FOX TV. Public trust in traditional media has shifted dramatically in the last couple of years. What does the future of media look like from your perspective? And what is the most effective way for an elected official to communicate with their constituents?
Bill: People have lost trust in traditional media because traditional media has lied to them. Radio is a very personal form of communication. I’ve found that for most of my audience, I’m just the guy in the passenger seat that they’re talking to on their commute to work. Because of that, I’m able to have meaningful dialogue and, for the last ten years, I was able to hear directly from the residents about what matters most to them. Spoiler alert – most people don’t care if you’re a Republican or Democrat. They want to know that you’re going to fight for them, lower taxes and keep their families safe.
News2A: You served eight years in the Marines Corps and were honorably discharged. What motivated you to serve and what were your thoughts when you swore an oath to the Constitution?
Bill: I was motivated by the challenge of becoming a US Marine. During my senior year at Boston University in 1991, as the first Gulf War unfolded, I walked into a recruiter’s office and signed up. After the USMC deferred my enlistment until the end of my college term, I was the only college grad in the 1st battalion at Parris Island. I served faithfully in the US Marine Reserves until my honorable discharge in 1999. I ended up fully trained after the first war ended and never deployed. But shortly after my discharge in 1999 many of the men and women I served with were deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq. They’re heroes and deserve the respect and support of all of us here at home.
News2A: Let’s talk about the Second Amendment. New Jersey has roughly 1.5 million gun owners. To date, nearly 50,000 concealed carry permits have been issued by the state. The fastest growing demographics in the firearms community in NJ are minorities and women. What does the growing interest in the Second Amendment reveal to you about New Jersey residents?
Bill: New Jerseyans need to feel safe again. The current administration would rather let criminals roam the streets than keep them in jail. That will change on day one when I am Governor. I’m grateful that it’s easier for New Jerseyans to obtain a concealed carry permit, but the fact of the matter is this – you shouldn’t need a gun on your hip in order to feel safe in your own neighborhood or, even worse, your own home. I will enforce the timing of licensing and registration to expedite your ability to buy and carry and we’ll end bail reform by declaring an emergency on day one. I support stand your ground and reciprocal right to carry.
News2A: Give yourself a rating on the Second Amendment. Are there any gun restrictions you support, including bans on “assault weapons” and “high capacity magazines,” red flag laws, NFA items, or prohibitions on concealed carry?
Bill: Well, in that race for Congress you mentioned earlier I received an A rating from the NRA, and I was proud of it. I think that says a lot about where I stand. One of my opponents in this primary, Jack Ciattarelli, once bragged that he was the only Republican NOT endorsed by the NRA. I adamantly oppose mag limits and red flag laws. We need to come down hard on criminals and elevate and empower legal gun owners.
News2A: New Jersey Attorney General, Matthew Platkin, is defending no fewer than five lawsuits addressing New Jersey’s many egregious, anti-gun, and unconstitutional laws signed by Governor Murphy. As Governor, how would you work with the legislature to begin removing the Second Amendment infringements of the previous administration?
Bill: It starts with putting a new Attorney General in place. We need an AG whose values align with our own and who will not try to rewrite the laws using his office. As Governor, I’d love to see New Jersey recognize concealed carry permits from other states and cross-honor those approvals. My AG will be a gun owner and pro-police.
News2A: How often do you get to the range, and what do you enjoy shooting the most?
Bill: A couple of times a year. I love my blue colt python .357. I’m also proud to have built a couple AR-15s with my son.
News2A: What’s the first firearm you ever shot, or the most memorable moment with a firearm in your youth?
Bill: .22 bolt action rifle that held 15 rounds front loaded. My dad taught me to shoot at 12!
News2A: Any parting shots you’d like to leave our readers with?
Bill: Thank you for the time and for arranging this interview. I’m the most conservative candidate in this race and I’ve proudly been a supporter of President Trump since 2015 when he came down the escalator. I’ll always work to advance the interests of the people of New Jersey, not the lobbyists and special interest groups. Your readers can count on me to always support the Second Amendment, 100%. The Second Amendment guarantees the first. There will be no gun grabbers in my administration. Period.
To learn more or to support Bill Spadea’s campaign for governor, visit: www.spadeaforgovernor.com
