News2A: Just to get the confusion out of the way, you’re not “that” Linda McMahon, from the Trump administration. Is that something you have to clarify often?
Linda McMahon: Actually I have never had to truly clarify that I am the “other” Linda McMahon, but I do get a lot of jokes about it! People often share posts with me asking about my career change or how I decided to skip over Congress and head straight to working with President Trump!
I am rather proud to share the name with Secretary McMahon, she is a strong independent leader and well accomplished businesswoman. I have no doubt she will work hard for our country.
News2A: Can you share a little about your professional background and why you decided to run for Congress?
LM: I’m running for Congress because New Jersey and the Country are rapidly changing. The influx of illegals crossing the border has changed the demographics of our nation and the State. As a healthcare provider, I can see how all these national issues intertwine with New Jersey.
Over the past 25 years I have worked in healthcare, I can proudly say that I have changed so many lives during my career as a nurse, nurse educator, and as a nurse practitioner. As I move forward, I can see what an impact I can make in Congress for New Jersey and the rest of the country. So many lives can be changed by securing the border, stopping gender affirming care of minors, providing early and easier access to mental healthcare, standing for women’s rights, stopping vaccine mandates and giving back parental rights! We also need to make gun ownership affordable for everyone and hold criminals accountable instead of gun owners who want to protect their family.
News2A: You’re challenging incumbent and Democrat, Dr. Herb Conaway, for New Jersey’s 3rd District. Seems like a tall order challenging an incumbent in a historically blue district, but you obviously see opportunity there. In your opinion, what’s changed?
LM: District 3 was historically red, Republicans held district 3 from 1993- 2009 when one term Democratic Congressman John Adler held office. In 2011, District 3 was held by Republican Jon Runyan and then Tom MacArthur. It was not until redistricting did Andy Kim take the seat away from Republicans. Prior to redistricting, District 3 encompassed parts of Camden, Burlington and Ocean Counties and now District 3 encompasses parts of Burlington, Mercer and Monmouth Counties.
Since 2021, the Democrat registration gap has shrunk by a couple of hundred thousand voters.
Herb Conaway as a junior Congressman has continued to vote against legislation that protects women’s safety and the safety of all NJ citizens. As an Assemblyman he voted against our 1st and 2nd Amendment Rights. As the Democratic Party’s favorability drops to record lows, it shows citizens want change.
As I stayed up watching the 2024 election, I could see how much New Jersey cared about making their vote count. President Trump gave many of us our voices back and courage to stand up for our beliefs! New Jersey is now actually considered a swing state. In my local town and many towns in my district stayed in line until 4 am waiting to cast their votes.
News2A: Both you and Mr. Conaway have a medical background. As a registered nurse, how do you see the right to self-defense, as protected by the Second Amendment, intersecting with the right to bodily autonomy, particularly in situations where individuals feel their physical safety is at risk?
LM: I’m a big advocate for Women’s rights and believe we have those rights due to the 2nd Amendment. I believe that 2nd Amendment rights protect Women’s Rights, and actually all Constitutional rights. As a woman I also want the right to protect myself and encourage all women to take self defense classes and learn gun safety.
Women also want to keep their families safe. On average it’s takes 9 plus minutes for police to arrive after calling 911. A lot can happen in that time period. Women don’t want to take that chance. We want to protect our families and ourselves. I have spoken with many women, who have come to me asking where to take classes.
News2A: Let’s talk about the Second Amendment. What is your campaign’s stance on the Second Amendment? Are there any restrictions that you support, for example: red flag laws, safe storage mandates, magazine capacity restrictions, or so-called “assault weapon” bans? How can we expect you to vote on these issues?
LM: I’ve been an NRA member for around 10 years, I’ve taken gun safety and shooting classes through the NRA. I am a concealed carry permit holder and support concealed carry reciprocity.
As far as mandates on magazine capacity, red flag laws, and assault weapons, these laws only put gun owners and citizens in more dangerous situations. There is no such thing as an assault weapon, AR stands for ArmaLite Rifle, which is a gun manufacturer. Mandates are an infringement of our 2nd Amendment Rights. “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
As a future Congresswoman, I support concealed carry reciprocity. National CCR will make it less confusing and safer for both police officers and gun owners. We need to streamline the process across state lines to avoid making law abiding citizens unknowingly in violation of state to state laws.
As a future US representative, I would bring forth legislation to cap fees and permit costs to make gun ownership and concealed carry affordable for all.
News2A: As a homesteader and hunter, you embrace a culture that seems to have been lost in New Jersey. Is it making a comeback? What were your experiences around firearms growing up?
LM: Growing up, I was often hunting and fishing with my uncles and father. Although our guns were only used for hunting they are an important part of our family heritage. Hunting was and continues to be an important part of how we feed our family.
As a homesteader, I spend a lot of time working on our property taking care of our garden and animals, so I believe that the Castle Doctrine does not protect me on my own property unless I am inside my house. New Jersey needs Stand Your Ground Laws, so anyone can protect themselves anywhere on their property.
We have also seen a growing interest in women hunters in New Jersey. Women’s hunting groups such as Women in the Outdoors and New Jersey Fish & Wildlife not only teach women about hunting and fishing but also about gun safety. These are all valuable skills that we can pass on to our children.
News2A: Let’s get more granular: what do you believe you can do from Washington D.C. to help rein in New Jersey’s stranglehold on our civil liberties?
LM: Becoming a committee member for the Oversight and Accountability Committee and Judiciary Committee and the Committee of Jurisdiction would allow me to debate our gun rights and healthcare freedoms given to us through the Constitution.
Many Representatives are debating with emotion and not facts. Educating legislators about the Constitution and Bill of Rights, is a duty as a representative.
In New Jersey, bringing back education to our schools is also very important. Children and college students should be required to be taught about civil liberties and basic economics. Also, getting out to the community to educate people on freedom of speech, and religion through old fashion grassroots efforts is essential . Holding town halls and knocking on doors is a great way to get back to the basics.
News2A: The Supreme Court ruled on NYSRPA v. Bruen in 2022. Since then, district and appeals courts have consistently ruled on Second Amendment issues in a way that circumvents both the intent and clear directives of Bruen. Congress has a role in checking the balance of powers of other government branches. How can Congress check the activist judges in some of these courts?
LM: In the United States, executive powers are those of the President of the United States. No federal judge has a right to limit or interfere with the President’s executive orders. I support HR 1526 No Rogue Rulings Act to rein in the power of federal district court judges.
The courts are the last step in decision making and any injunctions should be immediately frozen by our Speaker of the House. Congress then must investigate these injunctions, and rouge judges should also be brought in front of Congress for a full investigation.
News2A: New Jersey now has more than 60,000 Permit to Carry holders. The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act (H.R. 38) is moving to the House floor for a vote. What would your vote be, and how do you think that the proliferation of lawful concealed carry has impacted New Jersey? Do you have any inside information on how law enforcement believes it may have impacted crime?
LM: I support H.R. 645, the National Constitutional Carry Act. Thomas Massie’s constitutional carry legislation will ensure Americans’ Second Amendment right to carry firearms in public spaces is protected throughout the country.
Over the past two years violent crime in New Jersey is at historic low as shooting and gun deaths decline, I believe this is a direct correlation to when the concealed carry law change in 2022.
I was one of the first few individuals in my community to obtain my Concealed Carry permit in 2022. My local police department was very supportive, they kept me informed during the entire process and made re-registering an easy process.
News2A: What are the concerns you’ve been hearing from constituents in New Jersey, across any subject, and what are they expecting you to do when they send you to Congress?
LM: New Jersey citizens are concerned about parental rights and medical freedom, gun owners are fighting for 2A rights, many nurses are also fighting for medical freedom, young girls are fighting for safe places.
As a member of Congress, I will support legislation that align with my constituents. I will follow an America first agenda and put New Jersey right first. President Trump has signed some very important Executive Orders. I will help bring forth legislation to codify them into law!
News2A: Is there anything else you’d like to leave with our audience?
LM: I consider myself an America First Candidate, I’m running for the House of Representatives because I want New Jersey to be the safe place I grew up in. As a kid, we could safely play outside until the street lights came on without fear of becoming a victim.
It’s is time to put NJ citizens first and remove individuals who came here illegally and support legal immigration. We also need to get back to our strong patriotic roots and make our citizens feel safe again. I have lived here my entire life and proud to be a Jersey Girl.
News2A: Let’s get personal for a second: how often do you train, and what’s your favorite firearm to train with?
LM: We belong to an outdoor gun club, so during the Spring, Summer and Fall months we go monthly to the range to practice shooting and also before hunting season to make sure our guns are properly sighted in and safe to shoot. I also have an NRA registered instructor to make sure that am I always shooting accurately and safely, and up to date on current gun legislation.
My favorite firearm is a muzzleloader. At first, I was hesitant because of the process with the powder and bullets but it turned out to be my hunting gun of choice. But I train with a 1911 .380.
To learn more about Linda McMahon and her campaign, or to support her campaign financially, visit her website here: https://mcmahonfornjcongress.com.
