Pubdate: Mon, 24 Oct 2005
Source: Burlington County Times (NJ)
Copyright: 2005 Calkins Newspapers. Inc.
Contact: http://www.phillyburbs.com/feedback/content_bct.shtml
Website: http://www.phillyburbs.com/burlingtoncountytimes/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2128
Author: John Reitmeyer

3 INDEPENDENTS IN COUNTY HAVE GUBERNATORIAL HOPES

Voters who haven't been impressed by either Doug Forrester or Jon 
Corzine this campaign season may find an alternative in one of the 
three gubernatorial candidates who live in Burlington County.

At least that's what Matt Thieke of Maple Shade, Ed "njweedman" 
Forchion of Pemberton Township and Michael Latigona of Evesham are 
hoping as they reach the final stages of underdog campaigns for the 
governor's seat.

While Forrester and Corzine have received most of the media 
attention, there are eight other candidates on the Nov. 8 ballot. 
Among them are Thieke, running as the Green Party's candidate; 
Forchion, who is campaigning in favor of the legalization of 
marijuana, the only issue of his platform; and Latigona, an 
independent who is preaching unity instead of partisanship.

Thieke said a lot of people aren't pleased with what Corzine and 
Forrester have been talking about this campaign season and are happy 
to listen to what the alternative candidates have to say.

He said the Democrats and Republicans aren't capable of fixing the 
two biggest issues they have identified as problems - property taxes 
and corruption - because their parties feed off those problems.

Thieke wants to use income taxes to fund schools and says government 
should ban the practice of awarding no-bid contracts to campaign 
contributors. The argument that a vote for a third-party candidate is 
a wasted vote is wrong, Thieke said.

"We don't have to win to move things forward," he said. "Every extra 
vote is an endorsement of our platform."

Forchion has the same outlook as Thieke when it comes to winning 
votes, but his campaign has been decidedly different in message. 
Where Thieke has talked about the same issues Corzine and Forrester 
have identified, Forchion is mounting a one-issue campaign aimed at 
protesting the state's drug laws. He has scheduled a campaign rally 
for Nov. 3 at the Statehouse that will focus solely on the 
legalization of marijuana.

"It's an issue people are interested in," he said.

Forchion said votes for him would tell other leaders that there are a 
lot of people who share his views. He is predicting a third-place finish.

Latigona said he's running a serious campaign aimed at winning the 
seat, not just making a statement for one party or issue.

He believes the governor should be strong enough to make sure the 
Legislature passes real reforms. He said Corzine and Forrester aren't 
up to the task.

"I want to solve the problems, because nobody else is doing it," Latigona said.

If his campaign falls short, Latigona said, he would consider 
organizing a recall effort if the sitting governor hasn't enacted 
true reforms in his first year in office.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman