PERSON: Steve Lonegan

Candidate, U.S. Senate (New Jersey- Republican)

Steve Lonegan has dedicated his time in public life to fighting for New Jersey taxpayers.<br> <br> When he became mayor of Bogota, NJ in 1996, Lonegan immediately cut municipal spending, eliminated wasteful and duplicative services, privatized some functions and instituted a more cost-efficient, user-friendly government. As a result, Bogota’s municipal spending remained constant for the entire 12 years of Steve’s tenure. He also kept debt and tax increases far below inflation despite massive state mandates and aid reductions to suburban towns like Bogota.<br> <br> Thanks to Steve’s strong, conservative leadership, Republicans kept council control for 11 straight elections, and Steve was reelected in 1999 and 2003 by double-digit margins over his Democratic opponents.<br> <br> During his time as mayor, Steve also led statewide campaigns on behalf of New Jersey taxpayers. Whether it was fighting the Newark Arena, illegal state bonding, or proposed gasoline tax hikes, Steve was willing to take on leaders in both parties to do what was right for New Jersey’s working families.<br> <br> In 2006, Steve joined Americans for Prosperity as state director of the New Jersey chapter where he continued to fight for taxpayers and achieved a number of successes. He helped defeat an 8 percent sales tax increase on the statewide ballot, led the successful fight to stop Governor Corzine’s $38 billion toll hike, and led the defeat of taxpayer-financed legislative elections in the state.<br> <br> Steve Lonegan was born in Teaneck’s Holy Name Hospital, grew up and graduated from high school in Ridgefield Park where he set several high school track records. Steve earned a B.A. in business administration from William Paterson College where he was football team captain and an All Conference Division Center. In 1981, he earned an M.B.A. from Fairleigh Dickinson University.<br> <br> Prior to becoming Americans for Prosperity New Jersey state director, Steve built and managed retail, custom homebuilding and manufacturing businesses, employing dozens of workers.<br> <br> Steve and his wife Lorraine (Rossi) live in Bogota and have two adult daughters, Brooke and Katharine (Parany).<br> <br> -- Steve Lonegan for U.S. Senate