Real estate developer and hotelier Curtis Bashaw is optimistic about the Republican Party’s prospects in the upcoming Senate elections in blue state New Jersey, where a Republican has not won in over 50 years. Bashaw, a first-time politician, believes this is a once in a generation opportunity to prove New Jersey is more purple than people realize. With Democratic Senator Bob Menendez potentially running as an independent, Bashaw sees a three-way race that could work in the Republicans’ favor.
Bashaw, known for restoring historic landmarks in New Jersey, hopes to unshackle small businesses from overregulation, as a self-professed political outsider and business guy. He faces competition from Christine Serrano Glassner in the GOP primary, but holds a fundraising advantage and has the support of the county lines in two-thirds of the state’s counties. Bashaw believes that connecting with small business owners in the state will help increase his name ID quickly and draw unaffiliated voters to the Republican tent.
Former President Donald Trump’s upcoming campaign stop in New Jersey indicates his belief that the state is in play, which Bashaw agrees with. He sees a massive opportunity to flip the Senate seat from blue to red, aiming to attract New Jersey’s large pool of unaffiliated voters. Despite no national Republican investments in the race so far, the National Republican Senatorial Committee is keeping a close eye on New Jersey’s Senate race. Democrats have won every New Jersey Senate race since 1978, but Bashaw is determined to break that streak.
Bashaw highlights key issues such as crime, immigration, and parental rights in public education in New Jersey. He believes New Jerseyans do not feel safe in their homes, as he criticizes the influx of illegal immigrants and the woke ideology in schools. On abortion, he supports the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade, but does not support a federal ban on abortion. He accuses Democrats of being extremists on this issue, passing legislation allowing abortions up until the day of birth in New Jersey.
As Bashaw hits the campaign trail, he emphasizes connecting with voters through multiple coffees a day and visiting each county in the state. He remains committed to supporting the Republican ticket from top to bottom, aligning himself with President Trump’s efforts to flip New Jersey from blue to red. Despite the lack of national Republican investments in the race, Bashaw is focused on appealing to New Jerseyans on key issues and drawing unaffiliated voters to the Republican Party. With the election approaching, the battle for the Senate seat in New Jersey is heating up, with Bashaw confident in his ability to make a difference for the state.
