Hamilton Township Councilwoman Ileana Schirmer announced today to the listeners of the Bill Spadea Show on NJ101.5 that she will be challenging incumbent politician, Linda Greenstein, for Senate in New Jersey’s 14th legislative district.
Speaking on New Jersey 101.5, Schirmer told radio personality Bill Spadea the main reason she’s running for state Senate is because she’s among the many New Jerseyans who “are sick and tired of politicians mismanaging our money. They take our taxes, spend it in ways that just does not make sense and every time they run out of money they go back to the ATM — which is us — and they withdraw more money from our pockets, and I am tired of it.”
“When I was a young girl my family and I left Cuba, and headed to Union City, New Jersey in search of a better life. After graduating college, I got married and my husband and I moved to Hamilton Township. We have lived in Hamilton now for close to 30 years. I’m running for Senate because it’s not hard to see that New Jersey is heading in the wrong direction, and I want to do my part to make a difference. I want to give back to my family and my community. I aim to make sure all children have the chance for a successful and prosperous future,” said Ileana Schirmer. “When you grow up watching your parents struggle to make the money and the month match you quickly learn the importance of being financially responsible. My brothers and I were taught, you don’t spend what you don’t have. “
Ileana’s candidacy instantly makes this a top race to watch. Her unique profile as a well-know community leader in Hamilton and businesswoman makes her exceedingly qualified for Senate in the 14th district. In 2013 she won a seat on the Hamilton Township council, making her the first-ever elected Hispanic woman in Mercer County. She has also owned and managed several successful small businesses.
When pressed by Spadea if she thought the race was winnable, Schirmer was quick to take aim at Greenstein’s voting history.
“The 14th district needs a Senator that understands how to navigate hard times. I’ve run two successful businesses and a household in a tough economy. I know what it’s like to be a small business owner and lay in bed at night wondering how will I make payroll, handle a client issue, or a personnel issue. Linda Greenstein is so out of touch with the struggles of every-day families and small business owners that she actually voted for a 23-cents per gallon gas tax creating additional financial burdens to New Jersey tax payers. If she doesn’t understand how overburdened with taxes and regulations we already are, then she needs to step aside for an advocate that does,” said Ileana.
New Jersey’s 14th legislative district is historically one of the State’s most competitive. In 2013, Republicans came within only 1,500 votes of winning the seat.
