War fuels challenges to Saxton in 3rd Dist.

A diverse group of challengers, fueled by concerns over the war in Iraq and the direction of national policy at home, is taking on a popular and seemingly entrenched incumbent in the 3rd District congressional race this year.

It would appear a daunting task to dislodge Rep. Jim Saxton, the Republican from Mount Holly who has represented the district the past two decades.

Saxton, who is seeking his 11th term in November, has easily won his seat in recent years by forcefully representing the many military veterans in his district and championing New Jersey's military bases. He also regularly secures the key endorsements from labor and environmental groups coveted by campaigns.

His challenger, Assemblyman Herbert Conaway Jr., D-Burlington City, grew up in the same town as Saxton and calls him "a gentleman."

But Conaway, a physician who is in his fourth legislative term, said it is what he calls the misdirected economic policies of the Republican leadership in Washington that have prompted him to run against his former neighbor.

He faults Saxton for supporting that leadership.

"I, like others out there, really believe strongly that we're being poorly led as a nation," said Conaway, who criticizes the administration of President Bush and his allies in Congress for "directing their energy, their attention and their policy focus on the top 1 percent of the country."

"What's the biggest problem today? The middle-class squeeze," he said, adding, "I want to try `trickle up' economics for once."

Conaway said he would vote, for example, to close corporate loopholes, including tax breaks for companies that outsource jobs to other countries, and instead provide incentives to reward companies that create positions at home.

He calls the Bush administration's foreign policy "a disaster."

"The prosecution of the war in Iraq has been nothing short of bungled by people at the top, while the men in the field have performed admirably," he said, adding, "My beef is with the civilians."-- -- --

Saxton, who was once a teacher in Bordentown before entering the real estate and insurance business, agrees that compelling national concerns are the most important issues in the race.

"The biggest single issue in this race is the war on terrorism," he said, noting that he spends much of his time in Washington working on "transforming our military capabilities." He is a strong supporter of the Bush administration and fully backs the war in Iraq.

"The war in Iraq is an essential part of our war on terror," he said recently.

He reacted angrily to French criticism of the U.S.-led war, introducing bills to bar French firms from participating in the reconstruction of the country and to block U.S. participation in the Paris Air Show. He supported a measure to allow an officer with the rank of colonel, rather than brigadier general, to be military attache to France.

Saxton serves on the House Armed Services Committee and chairs the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities. He is also a member of the Committee on Resources and vice chairman of the Joint Economic Committee.

His supporters were delighted that both the president and Vice President Dick Cheney chose to make campaign appearances in Burlington County this fall.

"Our people are energized beyond belief," said Glenn Paulsen, Burlington County's GOP chairman, adding that homeland security issues "resonate with us."

Saxton has won a following in the district in part for his aggressive defense of New Jersey's military bases and his representation of veterans.

He also has won the support of environmental advocates such as the New Jersey Sierra Club for crossing the aisle to prevent his own party from dismantling such landmark environmental laws as the Clean Air Act.-- -- --

Conaway, who was born in Trenton and grew up in Bordentown, is vice chairman of the Assembly Health and Human Services Committee and has made access to health care a central focus of his political career. He also sits on the Assembly appropriations and agriculture and natural resources committees.

Conaway was drafted by Democrats in Burlington County "because he's a known commodity with growing (vote) majorities every election," said Burlington County Democratic Chairman Gary Karr, who noted that the 41-year-old Conaway's resume also included service in the U.S. Air Force and a law degree.

Saxton, Karr said, "has been there so long and Herb has a fresh approach, a young family - he's not living in Washington, sheltered."

But it is not easy to take on an incumbent, notes Conaway, who admits he has raised more money for his next legislative campaign than he has for this race.

"It's difficult for donors out there, and getting money in the coffers depends on their evaluation of your chance of success," he said. "They know that 90 percent of incumbents are returned, although it's not that lightning doesn't strike from time to time."

Conaway and Saxton are joined in the race by candidates from the Libertarian Party and the U.S. Marijuana Party.

Frank Orland, 83, of Cherry Hill, the Libertarian candidate, says he does not expect to win but is enjoying meeting with people to get out his message.

"What we're fighting here is the growth of power in the federal government through means such as the Patriot Act, which lets the government go into libraries and see what people are reading," said Orland, a professor emeritus of psychiatry. He said he is also disturbed by the "excessive spending going on in the federal government."

Edward Forchion, who prefers to be called NJWeedman.com, is the U.S. Marijuana Party candidate and hopes to end the war on drugs. A step in that direction, he said, would be to legalize marijuana.

He does not expect to win either, but, like Orland, relishes the opportunity to be heard.

"I'm for the total legalization of marijuana, ending the war on drugs and returning the First Amendment to the prominence it once held," he said.

Contact Tracey L. Regan at (609) 777-4465 or tregan@njtimes.com

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