Rutgers alumnus James Hogan returned to the banks this year, but in a very different capacity.
The 28-year-old is now running as a Republican candidate for the sixth Congressional District of New Jersey, which includes the New Brunswick and University areas.
A graduate from the University with a bachelor's degree in computer science in 2002 and currently working full time as a software engineer, Hogan said he sees himself as an ideal candidate for Congress because he is an "average Joe," despite his lack of political or government experience.
"I'm a voter and a taxpayer, and that qualifies me to run for office," Hogan said. "I'm an average working guy who wants to make a difference. I'm running for office because the government is not doing what the people want it to be doing."
Hogan said he has been campaigning almost completely independently, going door-to-door with flyers everyday after work and all day on weekends.
On his Web site, Hogan said his platform is one that is anti-establishment and pro-civil liberties, among other things.
"What it all comes down to is that [Hogan] is a freedom supporting candidate," said Daniel A. Krause, a Mason Gross graduate student and supporter.
Krause said Hogan stands for the correct use of government and more sanity in the decision-making process.
Hogan said he understands the issues that voters care about, such as gas and food prices and taxes.
As a former University student, Hogan said he had to work full time to cover the costs of tuition and commuting.
He said he is a working class individual who is fit to represent other working class individuals.
Hogan is running against Keyport attorney Robert McLeod for the Republican primary on June 3.
If he wins the primary, he would be up against Democrat Frank Pallone, who is currently serving his tenth full term in the U.S. House of Representatives, for the general election. Pallone has been in Congress since 1988 and has been representing the sixth district since 1992.
Art Gallagher, a Monmouth County Republican Committee member, said Hogan could win the Republican nomination if he keeps working the way he has been but his chances of beating Pallone are very slim.
Nonetheless, Gallagher said that he plans to vote for Hogan in the primary.
"I like that he's a young guy willing to work hard in an impossible battle," Gallagher said. "I'm very impressed that this guy who hasn't been involved in politics is willing to wåork as hard as he is. I honestly think he'll work harder than any of the other candidates."
Hogan is against criminalizing youth who are above the age of 18 for drinking alcohol on private property and would support eliminating the legal drinking age of 21, especially since 18-year-olds can be tried in court and can join the military, according to his Web site.
He said he thinks the voting age should be lowered to include anyone who can legally work and is thus forced to pay taxes.
Hogan said while he does not expect voters to agree with him on every issue, he hopes to reach enough people who want to make a difference. He said he plans to continue going door to door throughout the sixth district, which includes most of Middlesex County, the Bayshore and oceanfront areas of Monmouth County, Plainfield and Franklin.
Krause said Hogan's campaign is part of a larger freedom movement, which seeks to empower people as individuals.
Hogan is well connected to the grassroots movement mobilized in New Jersey in support of the presidential campaign of Ron Paul, Krause said.
Though some of Hogan's positions, such as his support for an immediate withdrawal from Iraq or his opposition to the Patriot Act and to corporate privileges, may be seen as contrary to mainstream Republican views, Hogan said his beliefs are in line with real republican principles, such as small government.
Hogan also said that he does not intend to make a career out of politics.
"I'm legitimately not a politician," he said. "I'm tired of saying 'they' need to do this or do that. I want to become part of government and put us, as citizens and individuals, back into the picture."
