First, I want to take this opportunity to say thank you if you have already donated. I know how hard money is to come by and I hope that you can understand the extraordinary pace of this process. Those who have already given to www.RockTheCongress.com know of my adoration for these United States and our Constitution. Notably, the tremendous response of my fellow veterans has been of great assistance to me in our campaign for Congress. Serving with you was, is, and continues to be my privilege. “Fighting” for America’s interests is not just a slogan and it is a guiding principle for us. We all know that veterans are a rare commodity in Congress and in this race, only I have served in the military.

OUR COMPAIGN VIDEO AND WHY VOTERS WILL BACK US

The first video of our Congressional campaign has just been produced. To see it, just go to the www.RockTheCongress.com homepage and click on the "CAMPAIGN VIDEO" link. The music is from the newly premiered CD, "Shores of America," from Celtic Cross and the background music features a song describing my Mom's sacrifice since 9/11 and multiple deployments.

We will earn a victory in June and again in November because our existing groundswell of support will continue to grow in the next two months. The voters are appalled by the same-old politics by the same families doing the same things with your money. That is why “maverick” John McCain and Obama’s so-called “change” platform are having an impact. Please notify your friends and family in the 7th Congressional District (and the rest of your e-mail contacts) about our message. “This ain’t your Daddy’s campaign,” as our Brigade S-3 and Operations Officer, Honorary Major Carol Tzeng likes to repeat. For this grass-roots campaign, we need to exploit the internet age and it can only happen if you believe in what we are doing. SO PLEASE SEND THIS ALONG!

WHY I AM A REPUBLICAN

Service to others and leadership, along with intelligent follower skills, define the American ethos. Elected officials have a responsibility for honesty, securing America, promoting business and minimizing government interference. I believe that is the fundamental essence of Republican Party values and is why I joined. Although neither Party has cornered perfection, I am confident that Republicans better understand that caring for people means letting Americans keep their hard-earned money. Higher taxes do not help America, create good jobs or facilitate business.

MY BIOGRAPHY - BRIEFLY

Most of you already know me, and have known me for years, even decades. But some of you may not, so here is a short biography of what has forged me into who I am.

I was born to my two heroes. My parents were blue-collar, Irish immigrants in Irvington, NJ, who “started with nothing and ended up with it all.” However, as Eddy Hopkins from County Roscommon often says, “it isn’t easy in this country.” Since grade school, I have worked newspaper routes, delivering two Star-Ledger routes through high school and then 10,000 Daily Targums each morning while at Rutgers University.

By God’s grace, diligence, and good fortune, I received an education and have earned my way. Thanks to the Army Reserve and other part-time restaurant jobs, I paid for my college and Seton Hall Law School degrees. I served as an Assistant Prosecutor for the past decade in Union and Essex counties, and as an Army enlistee through Reserve Major for the past two decades. Last year while on active duty, I achieved a Master’s Degree in International Public Policy from Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).

My partner and wife Alice, a physician, is the oldest child of Taiwanese immigrants and her family remains active in the Taiwanese-American community. In fact, her Mom traveled to Taiwan to vote in an important national election. The Tzeng family remains committed to an independent and free Taiwan and so do I. I am also extremely proud of my three brothers, military aviators all, who sacrifice every day to keep us safe. Then there is my beloved sister who is a healthcare professional in Alaska.

DISTRICT DESCRIPTION AND HISTORY

The 7th Congressional District runs across central New Jersey. It is where the Democrat, Linda Stender, came close to upsetting three-term incumbent, Mike Ferguson, in 2006 by using the Iraq War as a campaign issue. The difference was only 3,000 votes. Ferguson announced in December 2007 that he would not run for re-election.

OTHER CANDIDATES

Other candidates seeking the nomination have last names that have been involved in New Jersey politics for multiple generations.

Amongst the other candidates are Governor Christine Todd Whitman’s daughter, Kate, and Hunterdon County's third generation, part-time, career politician, Leonard Lance. These are entrenched, establishment Republicans; we want to offer something different. We want to re-link the Republican Party with veterans, the middle-class and its traditional base. The field of candidates also includes a local mayor, along with current and former councilpersons.

Kate Whitman brags that her connections have netted her over $250,000 in campaign contributions so far while the others have kept quiet. So that is the challenge for the June 3rd Republican Party primary.

SCHEDULE

This race has been a marathon that began before last Christmas when Alice and I started down this road. I enjoy a challenge, but “running” for Congress trumps anything I have ever done before. My advantage now is that I married my brilliant wife a year ago. The Somerset County Convention will occur on 3 April.

The delegates to these conventions (usually County Committee members) will vote on which candidate will receive the county organization endorsement (meaning the first column on the primary ballot) in the June 3rd Republican Party Primary.

The other three county conventions in Hunterdon, Middlesex, and Union Counties have already occurred.

FINANCING AND VOLUNTEERS

I have been gratified by your support, your words, your generosity and your volunteerism. A number of us have been literally “running” for Congress three mornings a week. We will need more “boots on the ground” as the weather warms and the primary date nears.

Political campaigns are impossible without adequate financial resources. Please consider helping me with a small (or large) commitment so that the voters of the 7th Congressional District have a choice as to which kind of Republican they want to select to oppose the “tax and spend,” quit in Iraq as early as 2005, views of Linda Stender. Moreover, corporate donors looking for government handouts are already lining up to support her.

Our campaign may not have cuff-linked consultants and speechwriters, but we have accomplished enough to be in a position to win. Our campaign includes brilliant volunteers who are businesswomen, CPAs, retirees, lawyers, doctors, a geologist, full-time mothers, police officers, and hopefully, you.

I cannot recall ever asking anyone for money in my life, other than on behalf of a charity. Unfortunately, running for office cannot occur without effective fundraising. We have already spent thousands in printing, postage, etc. Even compliance with illogical Federal election laws costs money for outside lawyers. I need your help and with it, you know you will have a committed friend working hard for you in Congress.

To those of you who have donated generously already, your financial support has brought us to this point. Thank you for that and the encouragement and I must ask you further support.

My sincere thanks, whether it is a $25 or $50 donation, or the maximum donation of $4,600 ($2,300 for the primary election on June 3rd and another $2,300 towards the general election). We must continue to get our message out and when the last minute dirty attacks occur (and they will occur - New Jersey electoral politics is not for the weak and timid), we must be able to respond quickly to correct the inevitable distortions.

Once again, thank you so very much for your continuing support as we go towards victory in June, victory in November, and Washington in January.

Thomas Roughneen