Here’s why we enthusiastically endorse Hans Herberg for New Jersey Governor:

1. Primary elections

Candidate order: The bill to reform New Jersey’s primary ballots (A5116) moves New Jersey closer to fair primaries by eliminating the county line ballot and instituting an office block ballot design. However, candidate order for the primary ballot will still be determined by the County Clerk or Municipal Clerk drawing names out of a bin. This provides an advantage for the candidate drawn in first position and has resulted in some clerks drawing the party endorsed candidates for first position a statistically improbable number of times. I support the following reform that would ensure a more fair candidate order on the ballot:
Rotating the order of candidates for each office by voting precinct, so each candidate appears on the ballot first, second, and so forth, approximately the same number of times (see the recently introduced bill A5181) 

Comment: New Jersey’s move to eliminate the county line is a step in the right direction, but ballot order still plays a major role in elections. Studies have shown that candidates listed first get an advantage, and in the past, party-backed candidates have suspiciously ended up in the first position far more often than should be expected by chance.

Slogans: I support prohibiting the use of slogans to express party endorsements on primary ballots. New Jersey is the only state that allows primary candidates to use slogans to indicate endorsements.

Comment: This would help eliminate party favoritism and make it fair for other candidates and challenge against the establishments and party bosses.

County clerks: I support making the county clerk a nonpartisan elected position.

Comment: Yes the position should be politically neutral from all parties and ensure fairness for everyone

2. Increasing transparency

Bill posting: I support requiring that bills be posted in written form at least 72 hours prior to committee discussion or vote, and that budget bills be posted at least 5 business days in advance of discussion or vote, to improve transparency in the legislative process.

Comment: I believe and support transparency and also no backroom deals going on and also the public and everyone can know what’s is going on within the government and where our money is going too.

Candidate information: I support making candidate information more readily available to voters by posting candidate bios in multiple languages on County Clerks’ and Secretary of State’s websites.

Comment: This proposal ensures that all legislative actions are transparent and allows for independent critical thinking and research. By providing sufficient time to examine the pros and cons of bills, candidates’ voting records, and platforms, it enables voters to make informed decisions. This approach promotes accountability and thoughtful consideration, fostering a more transparent and responsible political process.

3. Anti-corruption measures

Pay-to-play: I support stronger pay-to-play prohibitions at both the state and municipal level, as was the standard prior to the implementation of the Election Transparency Act.

Comment: This approach would promote greater transparency by ensuring the public knows exactly where the money is coming from, eliminating the potential for backdoor deals with special interest groups or the establishment. It would ensure that any agreements or contracts tied to political donations are fully disclosed, giving voters the right to know how decisions are being made. The power should rest with the voters, not special interests or bureaucrats.

Commissions and boards: I support creating an independent non-partisan committee to identify and screen potential candidates for the most important commissions and boards (e.g., the Rutgers Board, State Board of Education, Port Authority Board, ELEC) in order to minimize political paybacks and diversify the pool of qualified candidates.

Comment: I support creating an independent, non-partisan committee to screen potential candidates for key commissions and boards like the Rutgers Board, State Board of Education, Port Authority Board, and ELEC. This would minimize political paybacks and ensure that appointments are made based on merit and qualifications, not political connections. It would also help diversify the pool of candidates, bringing in a broader range of perspectives and expertise. Ultimately, this would strengthen accountability and make sure that the people who fill these important positions are truly the best choice for the job, not just political insiders.

Senatorial Courtesy: I support prohibiting “Senatorial Courtesy”*. State level Senatorial Courtesy exists only in New Jersey and Texas.

*Senatorial courtesy is an unwritten rule practiced in the Senate of the U.S. state of New Jersey under which a State Senator can indefinitely block consideration of a nomination by the Governor of New Jersey for a gubernatorial nominee from the Senator’s home county, without being required to provide an explanation. Credit: wikipedia.

Comment: I support prohibiting “Senatorial Courtesy” because it gives too much power to individual Senators to block gubernatorial nominees based purely on political interests or local loyalties, with no requirement to explain their reasoning. This practice allows political gamesmanship to take precedence over merit and qualifications, which should be the determining factors in appointments. By ending Senatorial Courtesy, we can ensure that nominees are evaluated fairly, based on their ability to serve the state, not their connections to local politics. This would create a more transparent and accountable process, where qualified candidates have a fair chance, regardless of political pressure. The power to decide who serves in key positions should be driven by what is best for the people of New Jersey, not political maneuvering.

Campaign funding: I support the public funding of campaigns for all state-level elected offices (i.e., the state legislature and gubernatorial elections).

Comment: I support public funding of campaigns for state-level elections, including for the state legislature and gubernatorial races. This ensures that candidates can compete based on their ideas and policies, not just their fundraising abilities. By reducing the influence of wealthy donors and special interest groups, we can make sure that elected officials are accountable to the people, not the highest bidder. Public funding would also allow more diverse candidates to enter the race, ensuring that voters have a wide range of choices and ideas. It’s crucial to create an election system where the people’s voices matter most, not the influence of money.

Public advocate: I support passing legislation to reinstate the statewide Office of the Public Advocate that was eliminated in 2010.

Comment: I support reinstating the Office of the Public Advocate because it provides a critical voice for the people of New Jersey. This office was eliminated in 2010, but bringing it back would ensure that citizens have someone fighting for their rights, especially when it comes to consumer protection, government accountability, and ensuring fairness in state policies. The Public Advocate would serve as a check on government power, making sure that the interests of ordinary people are prioritized, not just those of powerful groups. It would also help promote transparency and hold government agencies accountable for their actions. Restoring this office is about giving the people of New Jersey a stronger voice in how their government operates.

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In addition to the above 10 points that determined endorsement, we asked:

What (if any) changes would you have made in the Election Transparency Act (S2866), and why?

Answer: The Election Transparency Act is a step forward, but there are areas for improvement. To truly level the playing field, we need to stop bureaucrats and special interest groups from having undue influence in elections. Public office should be transparent, with every action and contribution disclosed so that everyone has a fair chance to run for office. We must also prevent big donors and establishment-backed candidates from securing contracts or key roles simply because of their financial power or connections. This would ensure that the people, not money, dictate who holds office.

What (if any) changes would you have made in the OPRA Reform Bill (S2930), and why?

Answer: I believe that everyone should have access to what’s happening in government, especially when taxpayer dollars are involved. Transparency in spending and decision-making is crucial for accountability and fairness. There should be complete oversight, and we shouldn’t keep anything hidden from the public. The people have the right to know what’s going on in politics, ensuring that our government is working for us, not against us.

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More information about Hans Herberg:

Email: Hansfornj@gmail.com
Phone number: 862-283-2211
Campaign website: facebook website @HerbergForNJ
Party affiliation: Republican party
Date of birth: 10/13/1987

Current Occupation: Hospitality & sales

Education: Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice – Mitchell college – 2011

Public/party service: Local politics and formally involved with Linden zoning as alternative board member and environmental committee.