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Assembly District 17

EGAN AND CHIVUKULA WIN
Joseph V. Egan -- 14,654
Upendra Chivukula -- 14,371
Robert S. Mettler -- 8,603
Carlo A. DiLalla -- 8,363

New Brunswick is the best known municipality in this district covering parts of Somerset and Middlesex counties.
Two Republican newcomers are challenging the incumbent Democrats.

More on this race on NJ Spotlight

Read more:
From the Daily Targum: Democratic candidates hold onto Legislative seats in Middlesex County
From the Daily Targum: Candidates vie for state Legislature seats
From myCentralJersey.com: Vote Democratic in 17th District
From myCentralJersey.com: Upendra Chivukula, Democratic-incumbent
From the Daily Targum: Race for NJ state legislature heats up during final weeks

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Choose 2

WINNER: Upendra Chivukula - Incumbent (D)

Consultant

Carlo A. DiLalla (R)

Financial Consultant

WINNER: Joseph V. Egan - Incumbent (D)

Electrician

Robert S. Mettler (R)

Retired

Comparison

Biographical Information
In brief, what will be your top three priorities if elected (one sentence each, please).
Should the state provide more school choice for children, including the expansion of charter schools, vouchers for private schools and enabling children to attend public schools outside of their home districts?
Would you make any changes to how schools are funded by the state, including so-called Abbott districts and wealthier suburban localities?
Should the state continue to adopt regional planning initiatives to prevent sprawl, and if so, how should preservation be funded?
Do you support Gov. Christie's energy master plan or would you seek more lofty goals for conservation and renewable energy?
Experts say New Jersey's transportation infrastructure is crumbling. How should the state fund upgrades: continued bonding or borrowing, a gas tax, toll hikes or some other specified method?
What would you do to provide relief for property taxpayers -- for example, further program cuts, additional state aid and rebates -- and should municipalities and schools be forced to do more to regionalize or share services?
What can be done to improve the public discourse here in New Jersey?

WINNER: Upendra Chivukula - Incumbent: Energy affordability and education; Unfunded Local Mandates; Healthcare Information Technology

WINNER: Upendra Chivukula - Incumbent: New Jersey needs education delivery reform which is a complex issue and does not have a simple answer across the state. We need to ensure children from all economic strata are afforded the best education they should be entitled. The items listed in the question need to be examined in the proper context.

WINNER: Upendra Chivukula - Incumbent: We must reduce the dependence on property taxes for fully funding the public schools. We need to fund schools fully based on the school funding formula I supported last session.

WINNER: Upendra Chivukula - Incumbent: Regional planning continues to be critical for New Jersey where there is a growing need for chasing ratables. We have a responsibility to preserve the quality of life for all New Jerseyans.

WINNER: Upendra Chivukula - Incumbent: Gov. Christie's master plan does not take into account sustainability, national security, and diversified fuel sources. We must set high goals for conservation and renewable energy in coordination with clean, sustainable transportation means.

WINNER: Upendra Chivukula - Incumbent: We need a combination of creating recurring source of revenues, constitutionally dedicated sources of revenues to keep the transportation trust fund solvent.

WINNER: Upendra Chivukula - Incumbent: We need to create county administrative school districts (A923) to make use of economies of scale, reduce costs by sharing services. We need to address high costs of delivery of special education and unfunded mandates. We need to consolidate at various levels to achieve efficiencies and thereby, reducing costs.

WINNER: Upendra Chivukula - Incumbent: We need to follow the existing rules for open public meetings, open public records. We must ask for accountability by the Governor and the legislature.

Address: 536 New Brunswick Road
Somerset, NJ 08873

Full Name: Upendra J. Chivukula

Party: Democratic

Incumbent: 2002

Website: www.chivukulanj.com/

Phone: 732-447-4329

Email : asmchivukula@njleg.org

Birthday: 10/08/1950

Education: BEE, Guindy's Engineering College, Electrical Engineering; MEE, City College of New York, Electrical Engineering

Public Service: Township of Franklin Council, 1997-2005, Mayor, 2000, Deputy Mayor, 1998

Carlo A. DiLalla: Bringing Businesses back To New Jersey thus creating new jobs and lowering our high unemployment. Lower Property Taxes through a balance budget and smaller government. Term Limits on ALL state elected officials.

Carlo A. DiLalla: I do not see why not as long as the cost does not exceed the cost to educate in home district. This also puts less stress on the home district schools especially where those areas are growing in population.

Carlo A. DiLalla: First of I would audit all Abbott district schools to see how this money being spent. If it is not being spent on the student then that money should be taken away. I think the current funding is not fair and should be adjusted. If these programs are not working why waste this money. The money should be given back to home owners to bring the high property taxes

Carlo A. DiLalla: The candidate has not responded to repeated requests to answer questions.

Carlo A. DiLalla: Yes I support Gov. Christie's energy master plan

Carlo A. DiLalla: I support continued bonding and small tax on gasoline as long as these monies are going to repair our infrastructure

Carlo A. DiLalla: I am for cutting property taxes,as we all know our property taxes are the highest in the nation. Having a balance budget and eliminate waste is the first order of business. Secondly education system needs to reviewed and we must look for ways to cut waste without hurting our students. I am all for education but we must find an efficient way of doing it. It is being done in other states and we should be able to do it also.

Carlo A. DiLalla: I think the best way of improving public discourse today is holding town hall meetings. Find out what the people want. Remember we are elected to represent the people and not some special interest group. I think it is time to bring common sense government back to the people.

Address: 9 Wood Lake Court
North Brunswick, NJ 08902

Full Name: Carlo Angelo DiLalla

Party: Republican

Incumbent: No

Website: www.bobandcarlo.com

Phone: 732-297-1612

Email : cdilalla@aol.com

Birthday: 4/23/1951

Education: Northeast Catholic High School; North Georgia College and State University, BA in Business Administration

Public Service: President of The North Brunswick Soccer Club for the past 7 years; Executive Board of the North Brunswick Sports Festival Serves as a board member of The North Brunswick Sports Festival Committee. Member of The Greek Peak Resort Homeowners Association. Former CCD teacher at Our Lady Of Peace Church.

WINNER: Joseph V. Egan - Incumbent: The candidate has not responded to repeated requests to answer questions.

Address: 20 New York Avenue
New Brunswick, NJ 08901

Incumbent: 2002

Website: www.assemblydems.com/memberinde...

Phone: 732-249-4550

Email : AsmEgan@njleg.org

Birthday: 02/27/1938

Public Service: New Jersey State General Assembly, 2002-present; Deputy Majority Leader, NJ State General Assembly, 2008-present; Council Member/President, City of New Brunswick, 1982-present

Robert S. Mettler: 1.Protect and Create Jobs by Strengthening New Jersey Economy. 2.Reduce spending and cut waste. 3.Protect our Senior Citizens Living on a fixed income.

Robert S. Mettler: Yes

Robert S. Mettler: Yes 1.Aid should be by student rather than District 2.Less reliance should be put on the property Tax for funding education by dedicating other revenues.

Robert S. Mettler: The candidate has not responded to repeated requests to answer questions.

Robert S. Mettler: Yes.

Robert S. Mettler: Dedicated Gas tax.

Robert S. Mettler: All of the above.

Robert S. Mettler: NJ TV might sponsor more debates.

Address: PO Box 2217
East Millstone, NJ 08875

Full Name: Robert S. Mettler

Party: Republican

Incumbent: No

Website: www.bobandcarlo.com

Email : robertsmettler@gmail.com

Education: A.B. Dickson College,PA MA Rutgers the State University

Public Service: Franklin Twp. Council: 1977-1995, 2000, 2003, 2007, 2009, Mayor: 1979-1980, 1989-1990

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My Ballot

Assembly District 17

WINNER: Upendra Chivukula - Incumbent (D)

Consultant

Carlo A. DiLalla (R)

Financial Consultant

WINNER: Joseph V. Egan - Incumbent (D)

Electrician

Robert S. Mettler (R)

Retired

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My Ballot

Assembly District 17

WINNER: Upendra Chivukula - Incumbent (D)

Consultant

Carlo A. DiLalla (R)

Financial Consultant

WINNER: Joseph V. Egan - Incumbent (D)

Electrician

Robert S. Mettler (R)

Retired

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