Brian Goldberg
Brian Goldberg (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. Senate to represent New Jersey. He lost in the Republican primary on June 5, 2018.
Goldberg was previously a 2014 Republican candidate who sought election to the U.S. Senate from New Jersey.[1] He was defeated by Jeff Bell in the Republican primary on June 3, 2014.
Biography
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Goldberg grew up in New Jersey graduating from Freehold High School in 1991. He then earned a B.S. in computer science and engineering from UCLA in 1995.[2]
Following graduation, Goldberg worked as an IT Professional until 2001. He then began working as a construction company executive in 2002, a position he still holds today.[3]
Goldberg has been politically active in New Jersey. In 2004, he began serving as an elected member of the Essex County Republican Committee. He served on the West Orange Municipal Budget Advisory Committee from 2009 to 2011. He also founded The Empowerment PAC in 2010. In 2011, Goldberg served as treasurer for the Joseph Chiusolo for Freeholder Campaign.[3]
Elections
2018
General election
General election for U.S. Senate New Jersey
The following candidates ran in the general election for U.S. Senate New Jersey on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Bob Menendez (D) | 54.0 | 1,711,654 |
 | Bob Hugin (R) | 42.8 | 1,357,355 | |
 | Madelyn Hoffman (G) | 0.8 | 25,150 | |
 | Murray Sabrin (L) | 0.7 | 21,212 | |
 | Natalie Rivera (For the People Party) | 0.6 | 19,897 | |
 | Tricia Flanagan (New Day NJ Party) | 0.5 | 16,101 | |
 | Kevin Kimple (Make it Simple Party)  | 0.3 | 9,087 | |
 | Hank Schroeder (Economic Growth Party) | 0.3 | 8,854 | |
| Total votes: 3,169,310 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Muhammad Usman (Independent)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. Senate New Jersey
Incumbent Bob Menendez defeated Lisa McCormick in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate New Jersey on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Bob Menendez | 62.3 | 262,477 |
 | Lisa McCormick | 37.7 | 158,998 | |
| Total votes: 421,475 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. Senate New Jersey
Bob Hugin defeated Brian Goldberg in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate New Jersey on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Bob Hugin | 75.1 | 168,052 |
 | Brian Goldberg | 24.9 | 55,624 | |
| Total votes: 223,676 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Antonio Sabas (R)
- Dana Wefer (R)
- Jeff Bell (R)
- Jerry Watson (R)
2014
Goldberg ran in the 2014 election for the U.S. Senate, to represent New Jersey. Goldberg sought the Republican nomination in the primary on June 3, 2014, but lost to Jeff Bell.
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Jeff Bell |
29.4% | 42,728 | ||
| Rich Pezzullo | 26.2% | 38,130 | ||
| Brian Goldberg | 25% | 36,266 | ||
| Murray Sabrin | 19.4% | 28,183 | ||
| Total Votes | 145,307 | |||
| Source: New Jersey Division of Elections - Official Election Results |
||||
Campaign themes
2018
Goldberg’s campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
Empowerment, not Entitlement Promoting the message of "Empowerment, not Entitlement" and a rebranding of the GOP as the party of "Growth Opportunity Prosperity", our focus is about helping the governed to succeed, not just helping the governed. As The Party of Optimists, we don't believe that people are destined for a life of failure. Rather, we believe that given a chance to succeed, people will succeed, and the programs and policies we promote are those that give people those opportunities for success. This positive message gives voters something to vote FOR, not just against another candidate or idea. Corruption, i.e. Pay-to-Play I believe in grassroots campaigns that internalize the concerns of everyday people, rather than "Pay-to-Play" campaigns that build resentment among voters. Prioritizing the wealth of candidates over their policy stances is a surefire way to lose in a general election. More jobs, less taxes I manage my family's small business in the decorative concrete industry. As such, I know firsthand how important a strong job market and thriving economy is to the health of our nation. As the recent tax cuts have shown, government can clearly affect the job market and economy through sound fiscal policy. President Trump has also announced a trillion dollar plus infrastructure program which will bring jobs across America. However, with New Jersey's congressional delegation as it stands, he has made it clear that NJ shouldn't look forward to the jobs associated with that program, already moving the trans Hudson tunnel to the bottom of the project list. If we want to participate in the program, we need to send him a delegation he can work with to promote and support his agenda. National Defense Supporting military, veterans, and law enforcement is one of my three core campaign issues. The United States cannot afford to lose its strength on the international stage, and we must fully fund efforts to protect democracy across the world. I specifically oppose Base Realignment and Closures, and I support brave first responders who put their lives on the line to keep us safe. Defending the Constitution I believe that, whenever possible, we should regard the original intentions of the Constitution to be sacred and immovable. I oppose judicial activism, which strips lawmaking autonomy from federal and state legislatures. Supporting the Second Amendment Although I am not a gun owner or enthusiast, I believe the right to keep and bear arms is fundamental to ensuring our freedom and liberty. I recently testified in opposition to several gun control bills at a NJ Assembly Judiciary Hearing, and will bring the same fight to Washington to ensure our second amendment rights are not infringed (to watch the testimony, click here). As I explained, I grew up in a home where guns were feared, but now I no longer fear guns - I fear guns in the hands of the wrong people. We need to support things like the Fix NICS legislation to enhance the mental health-related data related to background checks. As the world's shining example of liberty and freedom, we need to be careful not to set an example to any would-be tyrants or dictators that gun-grabs are acceptable. We need to take guns out of the hands of criminals, not turn law abiding citizens into criminals because of something they currently possess legally. I am a member of the NRA and support national gun licensing reciprocity. Abortion Rights I am unequivocally anti-abortion, and I believe the federal government should defund Planned Parenthood until or unless it divests its abortion practices. A heartbeat ends a life, a heartbeat starts a life. President Trump The President has earned my support through both his actions and leadership since assuming office. A few of his accomplishments and policies of which I am especially impressed include: Nominating (and receiving confirmation of) conservative, constructionist judges; Tax reform; Repealing the "individual mandate" associated with Obamacare; Recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel; Cutting federal regulations and the size of the federal workforce; Sending DACA back to Congress to craft legislation instead of an Executive Order; and numerous others. Israel I believe Israel is entitled to its borders as currently defined, and I support President's Trump decision to move the U.S. consulate to Jerusalem. I also oppose the BDS movement. Healthcare Reform I have been an outspoken opponent of ObamaCare since it was first enacted, and I support the recent repeal of the individual mandate. Instead of forcing health insurance onto the American public, we should encourage private enterprises to bring down the cost of treatment through competition. Importantly, we need to focus our efforts on reforming the healthCARE industry more than the health insurance industry. School Choice I support parental rights to choose how to educate their children. Charter school movements in cities like Newark have vastly improved standardized test performance and graduation rates, and we should continue encouraging alternatives to traditional public schooling. Governor Christie (and NJGOP's past/future) While I supported many of Governor Christie's policies throughout his two terms, I was never closely involved with his administration. Instead, I focused my efforts on campaigns at all levels and made connections with local officials across the state of New Jersey, working to #GrowTheGOP by reaching out to underrepresented groups such as women, minorities and youth. I believe that moving the NJ Republican Party, and New Jersey in general, in a positive, new direction requires distancing the party from its unsuccessful, unpopular past.[4] |
” |
| —Brian Goldberg’s campaign website (2018)[5] | ||
2014
Goldberg listed the following issues on his campaign website:
| “ |
|
” |
| —Brian Goldberg[6] | ||
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Goldberg lives in West Orange, New Jersey with his two daughters.[2]
See also
- United States Senate
- United States Senate election in New Jersey, 2018
- United States Senate elections in New Jersey, 2014
External links
- Search Google News for this topic
- Campaign website
- Campaign Facebook page
- Campaign Twitter page
- 2014 campaign website
- 2014 campaign Facebook page
Footnotes
- ↑ New Jersey Division of Elections, "Official List of Candidates for US Senate," accessed April 10, 2014
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Goldberg for U.S. Senate: "Bio," accessed February 9, 2014
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Information Submitted Through Ballotpedia's Biographical Submission Form on February 4, 2014
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Brian D. Goldberg, “Platform,” accessed March 9, 2018
- ↑ Campaign website, "Issues," accessed February 7, 2014
