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Jon Serrano
Jon Serrano (Green Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent New Jersey's 10th Congressional District. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Serrano completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Jon Serrano was born in Paterson, New Jersey. He earned a high school diploma from DePaul Catholic High School and an associate degree from Bergen Community College in 2021. Serrano's career experience includes working as a politician.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: New Jersey's 10th Congressional District election, 2024
New Jersey's 10th Congressional District election, 2024 (June 4 Democratic primary)
New Jersey's 10th Congressional District election, 2024 (June 4 Republican primary)
General election
General election for U.S. House New Jersey District 10
The following candidates ran in the general election for U.S. House New Jersey District 10 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | LaMonica McIver (D) | 74.4 | 182,020 |
 | Carmen Bucco (R) | 22.2 | 54,405 | |
 | Jon Serrano (G)  | 1.3 | 3,198 | |
 | Cynthia Johnson (C4C 2024 Party) | 0.9 | 2,132 | |
 | Michelle Middleton (All Of Us! Party) | 0.7 | 1,686 | |
| Donna Weiss (Social Activist Party) | 0.5 | 1,136 | ||
| Total votes: 244,577 | |||
| = 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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Donald Payne Jr. (D)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 10
Incumbent Donald Payne Jr. (Unofficially withdrew) advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 10 on June 4, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Donald Payne Jr. (Unofficially withdrew) | 100.0 | 30,180 |
| Total votes: 30,180 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 10
Carmen Bucco advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 10 on June 4, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Carmen Bucco | 100.0 | 5,264 |
| Total votes: 5,264 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Ramon Hernandez (R)
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Serrano in this election.
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Jon Serrano completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Serrano's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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- Since the beginning of my campaign, I believed in stopping the division of the United States. Since the beginning of the Age of Information, we have slowly begun to take politics and make it the main topic of conversation. There was a time where we were able to look past political affiliation and just see one another as human; I want to bring us back to that time. With policies such as my "Secular Governance Act" I want to implement as well as the "Congressional Term Limits and Accountability Act," these can ensure we can go back to seeing one another as human and not Republicans or Democrats and beyond.
- Women's Rights and Equal Rights for All are so extremely important to me. The Women's Empowerment and Rights Protection Amendment (28) and the Obergefell v. Hodges Amendment (29) are two amendments I want to implement into our United States Constitution in order to ensure that women are treated equally, given the proper right to their own bodily autonomy, equal pay, access to contraceptive products, and so much more (28) and ensuring that Gay Marriage remains protected (29). I will continue to advocate for everyone to be treated fairly. Being gay myself, I have witnessed discrimination and hate speech first-hand, and I will not tolerate it. We all deserve to be treated equally and I plan on implementing these laws to protect us.
- Having a clean and liveable environment is something that we need as a world. We have nowhere else to go if we ruin this planet and we are very close to the point of no return when it comes to reversing climate change. Gen Xers and prior were aware of climate change back in the 1980s and chose to continue ruining the world. The need to be helf accountable for their actions and we need to reverse climate change as soon as possible. With the Garden State Environmental Initiative, we can lower air pollution, end deforestation, implement Green New Deal Initiatives, cleaning our water that we use to drink, cook, shower with, and more. All while aiding our economy and taking a larger tax from those making over 1,000,000 annually of 5%.
2. Accountability- Taking ownership of one's actions and their consequences and being willing to explain and justify decisions to the public and other stakeholders.
3. Commitment to Public Service- Have a ton of dedication to serve the community as well as improve public welfare and prioritize the needs and interests of the general population over personal interests.
4. Competence- Understanding of laws and policies as well as issues that are facing the constituency and problem-solving abilities.
5. Empathy and Compassion- The ability to listen to and understand the concerns of different community members and have a genuine concern for the well-being of others and a desire to help those in need.
6. Visionary Leadership- Have strategic thinking with the ability to set long-term goals and develop the proper plans to achieve them as well as encouraging and implementing new ideas and approaches to solve problems going on within your jurisdictions.
7. Fairness and Justice- Ensure fair treatment and opportunities for all constituents and adhere to upholding laws impartially.
8. Courage- Have the ability to take unpopular stances when necessary
9. Collaborative Spirit- Work effectively with other elected officials as well as members of lower government levels within your district and bipartisanship.
10. Ethical Standards- Adhere to ethical guidelines, avoid corruption, and treat everyone equally.
- Ensuring that citizens of the United States are advocated for.
- Ensure that you are doing exactly what the American people NEED, not basing your laws and sponsorships of other laws on your personal beliefs.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Campaign website
Serrano’s campaign website stated the following:
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The Affordable Housing Initiative
The Serrano campaign has noticed the large number of Jersey residents who are living on the streets without homes because of how expensive New Jersey’s housing is. With that being said, the Serrano Campaign would like to expand affordable housing by funding the construction and renovation of affordable housing units within the district as well as implement zoning reforms to allow for the Department of Affordable Housing to operate in more areas.
Another leg in this policy is supporting the vulnerable community such as people who have succumbed to domestic violence, young adults in abusive homes, and even homeless veterans. There is a plan for each of the categories mentioned. For victims of domestic violence, the Serrano campaign will ensure immediate access to emergency housing for victims so that they are safe and out of harm's way. In regards to a long-term solution, we would give them affordable housing options and support services for survivors. For young adults in abusive homes, the Serrano campaign would like to provide housing and support services for 18-year-olds and young adults escaping abusive households. Another option would be to develop programs to help young adults transition to independent living. Lastly, for homeless veterans, the Serrano campaign offers expanded housing programs specifically designed for homeless veterans as well as comprehensive support services such as mental health services, job training, and as much support as needed to help veterans reintegrate into society.
In section three of this policy, the Serrano campaign is focused on financial assistance and incentives for New Jersey citizens. To elaborate, we would like to give rental assistance and homeownership programs. With the rental assistance program we would like to give housing vouchers that expand the housing voucher program to assist more low-income families in affording rent. On top of that we would also like to provide rental subsidies to reduce the financial burden on low-income households. Adding homeownership programs to the mix will help offer grants and low-interest loans to first-time homebuyers which ensures access to affordable mortgage options for low-and middle-income families.
Lastly, the Serrano campaign wants to improve housing conditions for New Jersey residents by creating economic stability. This will reduce housing costs for low-income families and will free up resources for other necessities.
The Affordable Housing for All Act aims to provide comprehensive housing solutions for all Americans, particularly the vulnerable populations, by expanding affordable housing, supporting victims of domestic violence populations, offering financial assistance, improving housing conditions, and enhancing overall economic stability/addressing these critical issues. This act seeks to create a more equitable and prosperous society for all. Garden State Environmental Initiative Policy
Within the policy, ending deforestation has been one of the top things the Serrano party would like to address. The Serrano party would like to enact state legislation that bans deforestation activities, including clear-cutting and logging in protected areas. To take it a step further, we would like to begin a restoration lan to help develop a comprehensive plan that includes planting native three species, restoring degraded lands, and maintaining forest health. By doing this, wildlife will be preserved in their habitats and maintain biodiversity as well as reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels that will inevitably mitigate climate change.
Another part of the Garden State Environmental Initiative is implementing Green New Deal Principles. The goal is to have 100% renewable energy by 2030. How do we get to that you might be asking, well, it starts with the people of New Jersey agreeing with converting to renewable energy. By doing so New Jersey would provide tax incentives, grants, and subsidies to businesses and homeowners for installing renewable energy systems. The benefits of the switch doesn't just stop there, if New Jersey was to convert 100% to renewable energy, it would help significantly with the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions as well as create jobs in renewable energy and sustainable agriculture sectors.
Now that we have addressed reducing climate change and greenhouse gas emissions as benefits for the environmental initiative, another problem that needs addressing is air pollution. The Serrano Party thinks that the best way to handle air pollution is by implementing stricter emission standards. More specifically, we would want to enforce these standards for industrial facilities, transportation, and power plants specifically in the 10th Congressional District of New Jersey. Even though it doesn’t affect everyone seeing that electric cars, public transportation, and bike-sharing programs are a known entity, those with such equipment would be incentivized to reduce vehicle emissions. Another way we would like to decrease air pollution is by monitoring pollution. We do this by deploying additional air quality monitoring stations to track pollutants and provide real-time data to the public. This ensures transparent and accessible reporting of air quality data to residents and keeps them informed and engaged.
The Serrano Party has taken notice of the fact that there are a lot of people who don’t feel the water that is supplied to us in our homes isn’t the cleanest water, and we have a plan to make sure that isn’t the case anymore. The Serrano party would like to invest in cutting-edge water purification technologies to remove contaminants such as lead, PFAS, and other hazardous substances. This would be a state-wide implementation to ensure that advanced purification systems are installed and operational in all municipal water treatment facilities In the Garden State Environmental Initiative, the Serrano party would like to reduce littering by cleaning up the streets of New Jersey. To start, we would like to expand the workforce of sanitary workers by creating high-wage jobs strictly tasked with cleaning highways, sidewalks, parking lots, and other public spaces. To incentivize the job workers will be provided with competitive salaries, benefits, and opportunities for career advancement. Another way we want to clean up New Jersey is by applying anti-littering campaigns that launch extensive public awareness campaigns to educate residents about the importance of not littering and the environmental impact of waste.
Throughout the policy there are many ways we want to help improve our environment, and the Serrano party’s solutions also significantly help with economic growth and inflation as well. To add on to the already mentioned, we as the Serrano community want to invest in modernizing transportation, energy, and water infrastructure to improve efficiency and reduce long-term costs. The Women's Empowerment and Rights Protection Amendment (28th Amendment Proposal) This policy’s intention is to address the constant attack that women in the United States are put under for an abortion, whereas there are scenarios such as rape, unaffordability, and accidental pregnancy that deem a woman eligible to receive an abortion. Regardless of these scenarios, women should have the legal opportunity and legal right to have an abortion within 20 weeks.
In the event that a woman is in need of an emergency abortion due to medical issues, they are entitled to one. However, a mental health counselor shall be provided to those who are facing the decision of whether or not they would like to continue with the abortion. I hope to achieve the fundamental rights women have deserved for decades. This policy is also looking to take the separation of church and state in regards to its lackey. The separation of church and state has been forgotten, and those of religious beliefs have taken the initiative to let women know that abortion is deemed as murder in their religion and that no one should have a right to abortion. This however, is brought onto the government due to the case of Roe v. Wade, and this was deemed constitutional until the Trump Administration did everything they could to destroy it and deem it as unconstitutional. This is because those in the Trump Administration and those in the House and Senate who align with his beliefs, come from a religious background and are using their religious beliefs to dictate law. This is unconstitutional and abortion should be a human right.
To start off we would like to protect reproductive rights by amending the Constitution to codify the protections established by Roe vs Wade, ensuring the right to choose an abortion is upheld nationwide. On top of that, we want to guarantee access to safe and legal abortion services, including the removal of unnecessary barriers and restrictions. To go about implementing this, we had the idea to draft and pass federal legislation that mirrors the protections provided by Roe vs Wade, provide funding to ensure access to abortion services, and establish a federal oversight committee to monitor and address violations of this constitutional right.
Another part of the Amendment that needs focus is comprehensive support for survivors of Gender-based violence. We at the Serrano Campaign would like to pass legislation to combat the violence by strengthening laws to protect women from domestic violence, sexual assault, and harrassment, as well as funding shelters, hotlines, and support services for survivors of such violence to ensure they have access to necessary resources and care. We would also like to implement nationwide education programs to raise awareness about gender-based violence and prevention strategies by mandating specialized training for law enforcement and judicial personnel to handle cases of gender-based violence sensitively and effectively. To do this we would need to allocate federal funds to states for the development and maintenance of support services, shelters, and training programs. Lastly, we would launch nationwide campaigns to educate the public on preventing and addressing gender-based violence. This policy will enhance the safety and well-being of women by providing robust protections and support that empowers survivors to seek help and justice without fear of stigma or retribution. Economic and social power for women is another part of the policy we want to be talked about. Equal pay and employment opportunities and workplace protections are two sections of this policy being covered. Regarding equal pay and employment opportunities, we want to enforce stringent equal pay laws to eliminate gender wage gaps as well as provide grants and incentives to businesses that promote gender equality in hiring, promotions, and leadership roles. We would do this by enacting federal laws requiring equal pay and paid family leave, with stringent penalties for non-compliance. To protect the workplace environment for women, we would like to mandate paid family and medical leave for all employees, ensuring women do not have to choose between their careers and family responsibilities. Along with that we want to enforce regulations to protect women from harassment and discrimination in the workplace by establishing a federal agency to monitor compliance with workplace safety and anti-discrimination laws.
Ensuring equal representation and participation is something we at the Serrano Campaign take very seriously. It means a lot to us that we implement policies to increase the representation of women in elected offices and governmental positions and provide funding as well as resources to support women running for political office. This will ensure that women’s voices and perspectives are included in policy-making and governance. More women educational opportunities are also what we want to offer, such as scholarships and grants for women pursuing education and training in traditionally male-dominated fields along with promoting STEM programs targeting young women and girls to encourage their participation and success. This will enhance opportunities for women in education and career development, leading to greater societal contributions.
Lastly, the Serrano Campaign would like to ensure that all individuals have free access to a full range of contraceptive products and services as well as comprehensive sexual education that includes information on contraceptive use and family planning. We would do this by allocating federal funds to cover the cost of contraceptive products and distributing them through healthcare providers and community health centers. We also want to launch campaigns to inform the public about the availability of free contraceptive products and the importance of family planning. This will ensure that everyone has access to essential contraceptive products, reducing unintended pregnancies and promoting reproductive health. The National Debt Utilization and Inflation Redress Act
We at the Serrano Campaign want to leverage national debt in a way that funds critical public services and investments without exacerbating fiscal deficits or inflation. We want to develop a comprehensive plan to allocate a portion of the national debt to key sectors such as infrastructure, environment, and public health. We want to conduct regular economic impact analysis to ensure that debt utilization does not lead to unsustainable fiscal deficits or inflationary pressures. Strategic investments can stimulate economic activity and job creation as well as improved infrastructure and services enhancing the quality of life for all Americans.
At the Serrano Campaign, we want to fund a clean environment. We would like to use national debt to fund environmental initiatives that ensure a sustainable and healthy future. To do this we would like to invest in renewable energy, pollution control, and conservation projects as well as establishing systems to monitor the effectiveness and impact of funded projects. The goal is to promote long-term environmental health and sustainability as well as reducing health risks associated with pollution and environmental degradation.
We want to utilize national debt to modernize and enhance the nation’s infrastructure by prioritizing critical infrastructure projects that have the greatest impact on economic growth and public welfare but also of value to the constituents that reside in the municipalities in which the right-of-way lies. Encouraging collaboration between government and private sector is very important to us, as well as maximizing resources and efficiency.The benefits are to improve infrastructure and support economic growth and global competitiveness.
At the Serrano Campaign, we want to implement inflation control measures. This is to implement measures that ensure debt utilization does not lead to increased inflation by working closely with the Federal reserve to monitor and adjust monetary policy as needed. We want to establish spending caps and discuss rules to prevent excessive debt accumulation. This will ensure that public investments do not lead to runaway inflation. Maintaining economic stability while supporting growth and development is another benefit to measures against inflation.
We want to create jobs and stimulate the economy through strategic debt-funded investments. We want to focus on sectors with high employment potential, such as green energy, construction, and technology to support projects that stimulate local economies and provide immediate job opportunities. This is to reduce unemployment and stimulate economic activity through increased consumer spending and business investment.
To bring our national debt down we plan to use national debt to enhance public services and social programs, improving the overall welfare of citizens. This will expand existing public services and create new programs to meet emerging needs, as well as to ensure that investments benefit underserved and marginalized communities. Doing this will reduce disparities and promote social equity and enhance the overall quality of life and well-being of citizens.
The National Debt Utilization and Affordability Act aims to transform the national debt into a tool for positive change, funding critical public services and investments that promote economic stability, reduce inflation, and enhance the quality of life for all Americans. By strategically leveraging debt, this policy ensures that the benefits of public investment are realized without compromising fiscal responsibility. The Supreme Court Equal Choice Act
Another change we would like to see is mandatory continuous education for the Supreme Court. Continuous professional education is a standard practice in many professions, including medicine and law, to ensure practitioners stay updated with current knowledge and best practices. Some judicial systems, such as those in the United Kingdom and Australia, mandate ongoing education for judges to maintain their competence and understanding for new laws and social changes. With history on our side, we believe this is the most fair way to make sure that the Supreme Court is up-to-date on knowledge and education.
Since the Supreme Court is a lifetime position, we feel like that needs to be changed to have an expiration date. The concept of judicial term limits is relatively new in American legal discourse, but has been implemented in other democratic systems to ensure regular turnover and prevent lifetime appointments from leading to ossification. Many countries, such as Germany and South Korea, have term limits for their highest courts to ensure a regular infusion of new perspectives and to prevent judges from being too powerful.
When it comes to the decision of appointing Supreme Court position, the existing process for nominating and confirming Supreme Court justices involves rigorous vetting and Senate confirmation, which ensures that only qualified individuals are appointed. Legal experts emphasize that maintaining the current vetting process ensures a thorough evaluation of nominees’ qualifications and suitability (Harvard Law Review). Keeping the established nomination process respects the tradition and procedural integrity of the Supreme Court (Yale Law Journal). By synthesizing historical context, international examples, and benefits highlighted by research, the Supreme Court Equal Choice Act aims to create a balanced, informed, and modern Supreme Court that reflects the diverse needs and perspectives of the American people, ultimately strengthening the judicial branch and upholding the principles of justice and fairness. The Equal Marriage Rights Amendment (29)
The marriage equality law explicitly states that marriage is a fundamental right for all, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, in the United States Constitution. With that being said, the would like to incorporate the principles of the Obergefell v. Hodges decision into the Constitution to protect same-sex marriage rights.
To protect the rights of this amendment, the Serrano party would like to add non-discrimination measures such as protection in all states with federal enforcement.This is to ensure that no state can enact laws or policies that discriminate against same-sex couples in marriage. The federal enforcement amendment is to empower federal agencies to enforce anti-discrimination measures related to marriage equality.
Lastly, Jon Serrano would like to provide legal support services for same-sex couples facing discrimination and fund as well as implement educational programs to promote understanding and acceptance of marriage equality and anti-discrimination laws.
The Equal Marriage Rights Amendment seeks to enshrine the principles of marriage equality in the US Constitution, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, have the right to marry. By incorporating the principles established in the Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court case, and implementing robust anti-discrimination measures, this amendment aims to provide permanent legal certainty, promote social stability, and enhance the well-being of same-sex couples across the nation. Universal Healthcare Access Amendment
To start, We would like to address the right to healthcare issue. We want to guarantee that every American has the right to access comprehensive healthcare services, including mental health care, at no cost. We will ensure that the amendment covers mental health services, free therapy, free medication, and observed controlled substances. These will both ensure that all Americans have access to necessary healthcare services, and provide comprehensive mental health care, addressing the mental health crisis effectively.
The next part of the policy we would like to amend is lowering medication prices. To do this the Serrano Campaign wants to conduct government negotiation of drug prices directly with pharmaceutical companies. On top of this, we want to implement price caps on essential medications to ensure affordability for all.
The mental health crisis that is happening throughout America is one that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. With that being said, we want to ensure access to a full range of mental health services, including free therapy and medication as well as provide resources for mental health crisis intervention and support. We will implement this by allocating federal funds to expand mental health services and support crisis intervention programs. We also want to develop training programs for mental health professionals to enhance service delivery. The benefits of this amendment will provide necessary support to address the natal health crisis and improve overall well-being.
Amercians across the country are dealing with the overdose epidemic as well as addiction. To tackle these issues the Serrano Campaign wants to implement programs for the safe administration of controlled substances under medical supervision. Regarding addiction, we want to expand access to addiction treatment services including rehabilitation and support programs. To compensate for treatment funding, we plan to increase funding for addiction treatment and rehabilitation services. This will decrease the incidence of overdose deaths through safe substance administration along with providing comprehensive support for individuals struggling with addiction, promoting recovery and reintegration into society.
Universal healthcare coverage would be a dream come true for the Serrano Campaign, and it is a real possibility of coming true. We want to expand medicare to cover all Americans, regardless of age, ensuring comprehensive healthcare coverage for everyone. To do this we plan to automatically enroll all citizens in that expand medicare program. This program will include coverage for necessary medical services, including preventative care, mental health services, and prescription drugs. A lot of citizens are speaking out about taxes and the economic impact on their income. To fix these troubles, we want to implement a progressive taxation system where high-income earners contribute a larger percentage to fund universal healthcare. We want to redirect funds currently spent on fragmented healthcare systems to the unified medicare for all systems. Implementing this will ensure that universal healthcare is adequately funded without increasing the tax burden on middle-and low-income families.
In regards to the elderly we want to ensure that the older adults above the age of 65 have guaranteed access to comprehensive healthcare services by enhancing medicare services for older adults to include comprehensive medical, mental health, and preventative care services. This will provide necessary healthcare support for older adults, improving their quality of life and ensuring affordable healthcare for older adults, reducing their financial burden.
With the United States being the 23rd ranked country in health and wellness in the world, here at the Serrano Campaign, we would like to boost that as much as we can. To do so, we would like to implement nationwide preventative care and wellness programs to promote health and prevent disease. To take it further, we want to develop and fund preventative care programs focusing on regular health screenings, vaccinations, and lifestyle education. We would also like to establish community-based wellness initiatives to encourage health living and disease prevention. This will end up reducing the incidence of chronic diseases through early detection and lifestyle interventions.
Lastly, enhancing the hospice system is another thing we would want to carry out. More specifically, we want to improve access to high-quality hospice and palliative care services for patients with life-limiting illnesses. To do so, we would increase funding for hospice and palliative care programs as well as establish national quality standards for hospice care to ensure consistent and compassionate care. By doing this we will enhance the quality of life for patients with life-limiting illnesses through comprehensive hospice services. THis will also provide necessary support for families and caregivers, reducing the emotional and financial burden of end-of-life care.
The Universal Healthcare Access Amendment aums to guarantee comprehensive healthcare access for all Americans by amending the United States Constitution. By addressing the mental health crisis, lowering medication prices, tackling the overdose epidemic and addiction, expanding Medicare to cover all Americans, ensuring sustainable funding through progressive taxation, and enhancing services for older adults, preventative care, and hospice care, this amendment seeks to improve public health, enhance economic stability, and provide equitable healthcare access for all. By implementing the following funding strategies, the policy aims to ensure this sustainable healthcare system while minimizing the need for substantial tax increases, specifically protecting individuals earning under $200,000 from tax hikes. Congressional Term Limits and Accountability Act
When addressing term limits, we would like to give some historical context. The idea of term limits is rooted in the early American republic’s belief in a citizen legislature. Founding fathers such as Thomas Jefferson supported term limits to prevent the establishment of a political class detached from the general populace. Term limits are common in many democratic countries. For example, Mexico imposes a single six-year term for its President, and the European parliament limits its members to two five-year terms. By having term limits, studies have shown that it can bring new legislators with innovative ideas, as seen in states with term limits for state legislatures. Research also shows that long-term incumbents are more likely to become entrenched and less responsive to their constituents’ needs. Term limits can counteract this trend.
The expulsion clause has been used sparingly in history. For instance, during the CIvil War, several members were expelled for supporting the Confederacy. Research shows that clear, enforceable standards for behavior in Congress can deter unethical conduct (Harvard Law Review). The requirement of a two-thirds vote ensures that expulsion is a serious, justified action, preventing misuse for political purposes.
Various legal frameworks emphasize the importance of lawmakers being subject to the same laws as citizens. The principle rule of law is fundamental to democratic governance. Studies underscore that when lawmakers are not above the law, public trust in the legal system and government increases. Research also shows that clear legal accountability for legislators can protect democratic institutions from erosion (Journal of Democracy). The Mass Transit and Toll Elimination Act of New Jersey
Rail Trails such as the Essex Greenway through Little Falls and Caldwell to Verona (former Caldwell Railway) and the Pompton Riverwalk Trail (New York & Greenwood Lake Railway) are great examples of former railroad right-of-ways ear-marked for potential reactivation if and when the demand calls for it. It’s imperative that this land remains available for potential reactivation as the reliance on the national highway system has a wanton effect on physical and mental health, in the areas surrounding where they are built.
The expansion of public transportation and related infrastructure starts with conducting a thorough assessment of all abandoned railways in New Jersey to determine feasibility for reopening. To do this we want to allocate funding for the restoration and modernization of these railways as well as subsidizing costs of building railroads by allocating inboard tolls from out of state drivers at state borders and major out of state highway intersections. To add more, we plan on developing appropriate schedules and routes that provide system redundancy of long distance routes in their respective lines. All of this will enhance the accessibility of residents in less populated underserved areas as well as reducing travel times by providing more direct routes.
When it comes to the development of the light rail network, we at the Serrano Campaign want to develop a phased plan to replace diesel trains with light rails and other energy-efficient trains. Financially, we plan on allocating funding from the procurement and development of new technologies. This will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions because of its replacement of diesel trains.
Within this policy, the state government shall incentivize the use of electric and hybrid buses and trains to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable transportation. To do this we plan to provide subsidies and grants for purchase of electric and hybrid vehicles. We plan to develop charging infrastructure for these electric vehicles as well as implementing regulations to phase out diesel-powered trains and gas-powered vehicles. The significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions will improve air quality and public health, as well as save our planet.
With all of this coming in place we didn’t mention affordability and accessibility. Well regarding both, we plan to develop eligibility criteria for reduced fare programs, allocate funds to subsidize transit fares for eligible individuals, and we want to partner with social service agencies to identify and enroll eligible participants. Doing this will increase accessibility to public transportation for vulnerable populations, and improve mobility and economic opportunities for low-income residents. Regarding people with disabilities, we want to conduct an accessibility audit of all transit facilities and vehicles. Financially, we will allocate funds to retrofit existing infrastructure to meet ADA standards and provide training for training staff on assisting passengers with disabilities.
To integrate the New Jersey and New York toll elimination Act, we plan to negotiate with New York and relevant authorities to eliminate tolls and develop alternative revenue streams with progressive taxation in order to replace toll income. We will implement measures to ensure the maintenance and improvement of bridges and tunnels without toll revenue. This will reduce travel costs for commuters between New Jersey and New York which will alleviate traffic congestion on toll bridges and tunnels. This will enhance economic integration between New Jersey and New York. Regarding funding, we want to revise the state tax code to include progressive taxation measures as well as seek grants and funding opportunities for transit and toll elimination projects. We encourage public-private partnerships to leverage private investment.
With Construction and traffic going to play a part in the building process, we plan to establish guidelines for nighttime construction activities to ensure safety and minimize noise disturbance. We also want to coordinate with local authorities and communities to implement nighttime construction schedules. On top of both of those things, we also plan to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of nighttime construction in reducing traffic congestion. All of this will reduce daytime traffic congestion and disruption for commuters and accelerate completion of construction projects as well.
The Mass Transit and Toll Elimination Act of New Jersey aims to transform the state’s transportation system into a model of efficiency, accessibility, and sustainability. By reopening abandoned railways, developing light rails and energy-efficient trains, and eliminating tolls between New Jersey and New York, the comprehensive Act will most significantly improve the quality of life for New Jersey residents. The integration of robust funding mechanisms, environmental sustainability initiatives, and a nighttime construction policy ensures that the benefits of an enhanced transit system and toll-free travel are realized across the state, contributing to economic growth and environmental stewardship. Student Loan Debt and Accessible Higher Education Act
Affordable public university education is another part of this policy that is very important. We want a cap for tuition fees at public universities to ensure affordability and provide additional subsidies and grants to low-income students to cover the remaining costs. We plan to set tuition caps based on median family income and regional cost of living. We also want to establish a federal subsidy program to disburse grants directly to universities for eligible students. This makes higher education more accessible to a broader range of students as well as lowering the need for student loans by reducing overall costs.
Regarding community college education, we want to eliminate tuition fees for all community college students. We plan to increase funding for support services like tutoring, career counseling, and transportation. To do this, we want to establish a partnership where the federal government covers 75% of the cast and stats cover the remaining 25%. We also want to allocate additional funds to community colleges to expand student support services. This equips more individuals with the skills needed for high-demand jobs, as well as provides opportunities for low-income and non-traditional students to access higher education.
The Student Loan Debt Relief and Accessible Higher Education Act aims to alleviate student loan debt, make public universities more affordable, and provide free community college education. By implementing a wealth tax, closing corporate tax loopholes, and introducing a financial transaction tax, this policy ensures sustainable funding. This initiative will not only provide financial relief to millions of Americans but also promote economic growth, workforce development, and educational equity. The Protection from Harmful Practices Act
The next step in this policy is banning conversion camps. We want to ban the operation and promotion of conversion camps that aim to change an individual’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. This applies to all entities and individuals involved in organization, promotion, or operation of such camps. To do this, we want authorities to have the power to inspect and shut down any conversion camps operating within their jurisdiction, and want to establish legal consequences for those found operating or promoting conversion camps, including fines and imprisonment. Thai ensures the immediate closure of harmful conversion camps and acts as a strong deterrent against the establishment and promotion of such camps.
Protection and Support for Affected Individuals is also important to this policy. We want to provide access to counseling and mental health support for individuals who have undergone or are at risk of undergoing conversion therapy or attending conversion camps. We would like to establish hotlines and helplines to offer support and resources to those in need. To have this get done, we plan to allocate federal and state funds to support counseling and mental health services for affected individuals. On top of that we would also like to set up resource centers in communities to provide information, support, and referrals. This will assist individuals in healing from the trauma of conversion therapy and camps as well as provide a supportive network for affected individuals.
On the education side, we at the Serrano Campaign want to integrate information about the harms of conversion therapy and the legal protections in place into school curriculum. We also want to conduct community outreach programs to raise awareness and promote acceptance of the LGBTQ+ individuals. To go about this, collaborating with educators and LGBTQ+ members is in the best interest to make this work, and provide the right education for this material. We also plan to design and implement outreach strategies to engage various community stakeholders. Both parts will educate young people about their rights and the dangers of conversion therapy and promote a cultural shift towards acceptance and understanding of LGBTQ+ individuals.
The Protection from Harmful Practices Act aims to protect minors from the harmful effects of conversion therapy and conversion camps. By banning these practices, providing support for affected individuals, and implementing educational initiatives, this policy ensures the safety, well-being, and rights of LGBTQ+ youth. Through robust enforcement and comprehensive support systems, we can create a safer and more inclusive society for all. The Democracy Enhancement and Electoral Reform Act
We at the Serrano Campaign would like to disband the Electoral College. The objective is to transition to a popular vote system for presidential elections. We plan to secure approval from two-thirds of both the House and Senate, followed by ratification from three-fourths of the state legislatures. This will ensure that every vote carries equal weight, reflecting the true will of the people.
When it comes to campaign finance reform, we want to create a fairer and more transparent campaign finance system. We want to enact laws to cap individual and corporate contributions and establish public funding for campaigns. We want there to be fair and stringent reporting requirements for all campaign contributions and expenditures. This minimizes the impact of wealthy donors and special interests on elections and provides a level playing field for all candidates, regardless of financial background.
Ballot Access is another part of the policy we would like to be fair and equal. We want to ensure that all political parties and candidates have fair access to the ballot. To do this we would like to establish national standards for ballot access to prevent discrimination against third-party and independent candidates. We want to monitor and enforce state compliance with deferral ballot access standards. This policy will help voters have a broad range of choices in elections. This also encourages political diversity and competition.
We want to simply prevent corporations and PACs from unduly influencing elections. With that in mind we plan to pass legislation banning corporate and PAC contributions to campaigns. To enforce this we want to establish a regulatory body to monitor and enforce compliance and special interest manipulation. This is to enhance public confidence in the fairness of elections.
Third-party recognition is something we find very important to us. We want to ensure third-parties are represented in mainstream media and public debates. Enforcing equal time rules and coverage standards through the Federal Communications Commision (FCC) is important to this policy to push it forward. We also plan to mandate the inclusion of third-party candidates in public debates. This provides voters with comprehensive information about all candidates and parties and promotes a more vibrant and competitive political environment.
Here at the Serrano Campaign, we want to implement ranked-choice voting to ensure more accurate representation of voter preferences. Transitioning to ranked-choice voting systems nationwide will ensure that elected officials have majority support as well as encourage candidates to appeal to a brother base of voters.
We would like to implement political education resources to encourage civic participation. The education initiatives are to develop and implement educational programs and materials. We want to partner with local organizations to promote political education. This education program empowers citizens with knowledge about the political process and encourages more active participation in democracy.
The Democracy Enhancement and Electoral Reform Act aims to create a more democratic and equitable political system by ending the two-party dominance, ensuring fair elections, and enhancing voter representation through comprehensive reforms. By implementing these changes, we can build a political environment that truly reflects the will of the American people The Secular Governance Enforcement Act
The religious influence in lawmaking is something that has become problematic of recent, and we at the Serrano Campaign believe all legislative proposals, laws, and government policies must be based on secular, evidence-based reasoning. Laws that are clearly motivated by or derived from religious beliefs are prohibited. We want to establish a Secular Legis;ative Review Committee tasked with reviewing proposed legislation to ensure it adheres to secular principles. The committee will have the authority to recommend revisions or reject proposals that violate this principle. Some benefits that come from this are objective lawmaking, which certifies that laws serve the public interest based on empirical evidence and rational analysis. This also prevents discrimination and favoritism based on religious beliefs.
To make sure that Secular Governance is being correctly done, we would like to include mandatory training programs for all legislators and government officials on the importance of secular governance, the principles of the First Amendment, and the necessity of maintaining a clear separation of church and state. To add on, we at the Serrano Campaign want to implement a public education campaign as well to raise awareness about the importance of secular governance and the separation of church and state. To enforce this policy, we want to establish an independent Oversight Body to monitor compliance with the Secular Governance Enforcement Act. This body will investigate complaints and enforce penalties for violations. The complaint mechanism we want to incorporate starts with creating a transparent and accessible process for individuals and organizations to report violations of the separation of church and state. We plan to ensure timely investigation and resolution of complaints. This committee will ensure that violations are addressed and rectified, maintaining the integrity of secular governance.
Here at the Serrano Campaign we want to create safeguards so that we can strengthen the judicial review process to challenge laws and policies that violate the principles of secular governance. We want to empower courts to strike down such laws and policies. We also want to propose a constitutional amendment to explicitly reinforce the separation of church and state, providing clearer guidelines and protections against religious influence in government. This will overall provide a clear constitutional basis for enforcing the separation of church and state.
The Secular Governance Enforcement Act aims to reinforce the foundational principle, the separation of church and state, ensuring that laws and policies are based on secular principles and evidence-based reasoning. By preventing religious influence in lawmaking and strengthening enforcement and accountability mechanisms, this policy promotes fairness, equality, and respect for diverse beliefs. This balanced approach enhances social cohesion and upholds the values of a pluralistic society.[2] |
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| —Jon Serrano’s campaign website (2024)[3] | ||
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.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
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Candidate U.S. House New Jersey District 10 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on June 6, 2024
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Jon Serrano’s campaign website, “Platform & Policies,” accessed October 24, 2024
