Veronica Fernandez

Veronica Fernandez was born in Franklin, New Jersey. She earned a high school diploma from Sussex County Vo-Tech and attended County College of Morris for undergraduate study. Fernandez's career experience includes working in electrical contracting and as an activist. She was also a licensed property/casualty underwriter in New Jersey for over twenty years.[1] She has been affiliated with the League of Women Voters.[2][3]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I was born and raised in New Jersey and have lived here my entire life. I am married to my husband, Mike, a Navy veteran and electrician for 32 years. We have 2 young adult children we raised and educated through NJ public schools. We own and operate a small commercial electrical contracting business. I have experience in owning and operating a union shop (IBEW Local 102) as well as running a small private business. Prior to starting our company my career was as a licensed Property/Casualty (including Health) Insurance Underwriter for 20 years where I underwrote and serviced all lines of business from landscapers and plumbers to municipalities and boards of education. I have an organizational background and was the volunteer coordinator for my church for the Interfaith Council of Homeless Families in Morris County for 7 years. I have been a foster parent and my own children are adopted. I have dealt first hand with Immigration and know how to the navigate the endless red tape and bureaucracy of government. I have experience in managing through difficulties of getting adequate services for a special needs child. As I enter my retirement, I see where my experiences in raising a family, running a business, managing to succeed as times get even harder that I am well suited and seasoned to be representative for our beautiful state. I love NJ and know we can be an example of "how it should be done". This is a job I want and know that I can do it very well!

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

My platform centers on electoral reform. The SCOTUS ruling on Citizens United in 2010 opened the flood gates for the "legal" corruption of our candidates, elections, and policies. I fully support a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United. We need to end corporate control of our congress and return back to a representative government of, by and for the people. This CAN be done. The 26th Amendment to lower the voting age to 18 was ratified in 100 days! AIPAC has brought more public awareness of campaign finance corruption than ever before and there is much support to get this done. It is THE gamechanger on ALL issues from healthcare and immigration to gun control and energy.Healthcare affects ALL of us. As a former licensed underwriter I can assure you insurance will NEVER work for healthcare as insurance is designed to cover loss, NOT maintenance. Our state is forced to pay billions every year to a handful of insurance carriers that provide NO medical products or services. They are completely unnecessary middlemen that deny us care. I fully support AND will fight for Medicare for All. Taxes will go DOWN with implementation of universal care. Almost every municipality in our state is loaded with millions in property taxes for health insurance and it's even more at state and federal levels. Our healthcare system has failed and I have the experience and background to get us better and affordable care.I support abolishing ICE and shutting down all detention centers. This cruel and inhumane treatment is both abhorrent and fiscally absurd. It is a result of failed immigration policies by both parties who are kept in power by industry and big donors. Once again, we are on the wrong side of history as we were with our indigenous and the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII. We must correct this and create a fast- tracked path to citizenship for those who have committed no more than a misdemeanor by trying to make a better life for themselves and their families as our ancestors once did.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am extremely passionate about overturning Citizens United. As I alluded to earlier, it is the cancer in our congress and until we get the money out of politics there will be NO meaningful movement on any issue. Ideally, I would like to see publicly funded elections. Another "issue" always on my mind is the genocide of the Palestinian people and how this is not accurately reported on by our news media. Because of Citizens United, AIPAC is able to "fund" politicians, who continue to send billions of taxpayer dollars to kill innocent men, women, children, and animals. This is money that is desperately needed HERE to help fund everything from education and childcare to housing and healthcare.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Eleanor Roosevelt and Bernie Sanders. Both present a vision for the country I know we can live in. We can have a government of, by, and for the people.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity, honesty, generosity, humor, courage, kindness

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To be representative. To be responsible and responsive to constituents. To keep them informed and up to date. To be in the communities. To be available. To listen.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Cliché' but to leave the world, at least the part I could be involved in, much better.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I was a waitress at a pizza parlor as a Sophomore in HS. He also kept goats in the back field behind the "restaurant". One day a goat got lose and he told me to go get it and I did! I learned early on that a job description can change at any moment and that I was very good at adjusting to what needed to be done.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Overcoming early childhood abuse and alcoholism. Rehab and therapy changed the trajectory of my life and I wouldn't change anything. I love who I am now and have so much confidence to do whatever I want. It is wonderful to get older and have so much freedom.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

We need structural, fundamental change. We haven't had a constitutional amendment in over 30 years and I can think of nothing better than to overturn Citizens United so our representatives can work for us again. We have so many challenges but if we put the needs of the people first, we can have the country promised to us in our constitution.

What qualities does the U.S. Senate possess that makes it unique as an institution?

I like that each state has only two, so there is equal power. It's also important that it can approve or reject appointments for different positions which is essential to the direction of our country. The founders designed it to be a "cooling saucer" for public passions, which we have plenty of!

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Absolutely. Most reasonable people can compromise, and it's what we teach our children from the beginning, "you can't have everything". As they say, we need more adult behavior in congress.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

None yet, but we are working on it!

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

The Vietnam war. I remember as a child my father would listen to the news and Walter Cronkite would report on the number of "troops" that died that day. I remember asking what a troop was and was very upset when I learned that it was a person. I remember suggesting that maybe our strongest guy could fight their strongest guy and then no one else would have to die. I have had a strong empathy for as long as I can remember for the suffering of others.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a working class wife, mother, and business owner in NJ's CD7. I have deep roots in this district. Prior to starting our small commercial electrical contracting business, I was a licensed Property/Casualty (including Health) Underwriter in NJ for 20 years. As my children grew older and my time was more available, I wanted to become more involved in my community. While running for a volunteer position on my local Township's Committee, I also became involved in campaign finance reform. I have since come to believe that how and where our politicians get their money from makes all the difference in what legislation is, or is not passed. I know that money in politics is connected to almost every issue and it why nothing significantly changes. We are meant to be a representative government. Party insiders, attorneys, multi-millionaires, and family dynasties are already well represented while we, the people, are not. If we are to have laws that benefit the working class, then we need a working class congress and that is why I am running!

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Campaign finance reform: I have been working hard to educate the public of the impact of money in politics, especially since SCOTUS's ruling on Citizens United. If we were to clean up how politicians get their money, they would be able to work for us again and if they don't we could vote them out. No more "job security" based on big donors and special interests funding their campaigns.Affordable health care and accessibility: 100 million Americans are in medical debt and both my opponents support healthcare systems that create debt AND raise taxes. The ACA, here in NJ, is NOT affordable to 9 out of 10 policy holders. Our local property, state, and federal taxes are loaded with BILLIONS in employer provided health insurance which only increases raising our taxes. I am the ONLY candidate that supports Medicare for All, which nearly every study indicates will provide better care for far less cost AND decrease taxes by BILLIONS!Civility in our political discourse: I truly believe that if our lives start to improve, there will be less fear and hate. Right now there are many crises in our country. From healthcare to immigration and gun safety to inflation. I KNOW that if we cleaned up the legal corruption of money in politics, we would start to write laws that benefit us again. We would be able to afford healthcare, own a home, get an education, provide for childcare, etc. So many quality of life issues are out of reach and it makes us so fearful and angry. If we have what we need to get by, we start to feel secure and that lessens fear and hate.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Affordable healthcare and accessibility, taxes, environment, gun violence, living wages, electoral reform, social justice, quality affordable childcare, immigration. EVERY single one of these issues is related to campaign finance. I am so fearful we are being run by special interests and big donors and we see evidence of this in just about every area of public policy. It needs to stop. Government belongs to us, not big donors and we need to take it back. We constantly hear we are the richest country in the history of the world, but it sure doesn't look like it!

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Easy question....Eleanor Roosevelt. Her history, her wisdom, and her activism are inspiring AND motivating. I love her quotes and keep many on my desk...my favorite: "You must do that thing you think you cannot do"...that is exactly what I am trying to do as an Independent trying to get to Congress!

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Honestly no....and to be very honest I don't know how to define my political philosophy. I just feel strongly that we are in such a state that something needs to be done. There are many good conservatives and many good liberals. I like quotes a lot. "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is when good people do nothing" ~Edmund Burke, " If your actions don't live up to your words, you have nothing to say." ~DaShanne Stokes, "Integrity is doing the right think when no one is watching." ~ CS Lewis, "Your nervousness is a sign of you being brave." ~? "Get involved in everything you've ever dreamed of doing." ~Marion Jones, "Speak the truth, even if your voice shakes." ~?, "We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them." ~Albert Einstein...my favorite by far: "You must do that thing you think you cannot do." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

INTEGRITY, CANNOT BE BOUGHT, HONESTY, COMPASSION, COMMON SENSE, ACCESSABILITY, OPEN MINDEDNESS.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am a multitasker and the more work I have, the better I do....throw a couple of screaming kids in the background and I am at my best. THAT is what our congress appears to be right now. I am very good at de-escalating volatile situations. I am open minded and receptive to other points of view and seeing validity in them. I am passionate and care deeply.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Protect and defend the Constitution is always #1. Represent the people of your district to the very best of your ability. Be available to them. Fulfill campaign promises. Work with others and be respectful.

What legacy would you like to leave?

To be the best mother possible and to have NJ's CD7 the best place in the country to raise a child, because if we hit that goal, we have hit every other as well.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I can't remember what was my "specific" first historical event, but my father watched the news every night during the Vietnam "conflict". I remember Walter Cronkite reporting how many "troops" died each day. I was not sure what a "troop" was, so I asked my father. When he explained that was actually how many men died each day, it really bothered me. I remember thinking why can't their strongest man fight our strongest man and that would determine the "winner" and then nobody else would have to die. I didn't realize it then, but I was already trying to solve huge problems because I didn't want anybody to die.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Time for some humor. My very first job was a server in a pizza parlor when I was in HS. It only lasted a few months and it was crazy. The owner also kept sheep in a field behind the building and one day one of the sheep escaped and he told me to go get it and I did! Yeah, I learned early on that a job description can change in an instant and that I am capable of doing anything that needs to be done!

What is your favorite book? Why?

Anything by Jane Austin, because she can take me completely out of my own head.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Daenerys Targaryen...

1. Because I just loved her character.

AND

2. If I had three dragons I would definitely win this election!

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Honestly...."Electric Avenue" by Eddy Grant just this morning and I have no idea why. I told my husband hoping to get it out of my head and into his....it worked!

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Addiction. I had a chaotic and difficult childhood and was a full blown alcoholic by the time I graduated high school. I lived in addiction for 11 years and got sober at age 28 in 1988 and have been sober ever since. I have someone I love beyond description that has mental health issues and I am unable to help them. I struggle with this campaign. I still need to run my business, my family, etc. and it is exhausting, but I cannot give up. By becoming an Independent, I have lost valued relationships and am considered a "spoiler". But, as I stated, I find quotes very motivating, and "To thine own self be true" is always in my head. I am doing this because I see so much that is wrong and so much that can be fixed, and I just can't stand by...and like Einstein's quote - "We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we crated them." We desperately need change.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

It is unique as an institution in that is meant to represent the people and is the only branch that has been directly elected BY voters since its beginning. It has the "power of the purse" and can elect the President in the event of a tie. It can also impeach federal officials. We are meant to be a representative government and the House is mean to represent the people, not big donors and special interests.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

It can be. However, I believe what is most beneficial is MOTIVE. What are the intentions? We have a revolving door at the deepest level of the swamp and too many former CEOs, lobbyists, etc. wind up at cabinet level positions and vice-versa. There is a strong argument to be made that some of our most experienced and most highly educated have got us where we are now. I believe we need more common sense, compromise, and civility. So again, motive should be a driving force.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Staying out of wars, making our lives better, and cleaning up the environment. And again, my main issue of campaign finance reform is at the very heart of all of this and more. I also am also sad to say another great challenge is getting our Congress to work with each other.

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Oversight and Reform, Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth, Small Business ( I have first hand experience with the difficulties of running a small business), Committee on Education and Labor.

I would like to be a member of the Progressive Caucus, and the Problem Solvers Caucus.

If you are a current representative, why did you join your current committees?

N/A....but I would really "lobby" as a Freshman to get myself on the above committees/caucuses

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

No...too much campaigning and not enough time spent on the job doing the work of the people. I think 4 years would be much more productive.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I support term limits. As of April this year, Congress has an approval rating of 20%, how can that be possible? If any other employee had that low of a rating they would probably lose their job. Term limits, again, speaks to my main issue of Campaign finance reform. Many of these politicians that are failing us would have long been gone, if we removed the ability for their big donors to keep them in office by funding their campaigns. Every election, millions of dollars are spent to keep these ineffective "leaders" in office while silencing well meaning candidates who want to work for the public good. I also support Ranked Choice Voting.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Katie Porter, Bernie Sanders, Senator Whitehouse, Liz Cheney...I don't agree with her much on policy, but her courage to put country before party is inspiring.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

I have heard multiple stories...in fact, it's hard to find someone who DOESN'T have a story. Recently, I met woman who was $6K in debt due to giving birth and her newborn had just over $1K in debt since testing he needed after birth was not covered 100%. It occurred to me, he doesn't even know his name and he is already in debt. Something else that really bothered me was when I was running for Township Committee a man told me, "They wouldn't let us vote if it really mattered"... and he didn't want to hear anything I had to say. He had no faith in his vote, even at the local level. However, what I have found to be the most inspiring, is that we do, in fact, have more in common than we differ on, and that most of us understand the need to compromise. I have met with 1000s conservatives and liberals and they WANT to get along. The are fed up with leadership of both parties and the media too.

Tell us your favorite joke.

I am an insurance geek and a really funny joke was told to the class when I was in school for licensing. ~ A man needed to have his leg amputated and when he came out of surgery he realized they had removed the wrong leg. So he took his Dr to court and the case was thrown out immediately...when he asked why, the Judge said he didn't have a leg to stand on....I know it does not sound funny now, but you had to be there.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Of course I believe compromise is both desirable and necessary for policy making. Democrats and Republicans have become so polarized they are unwilling to work together on just about anything. Having Independents, who are not beholden to a party leadership, or to donors would go a long way in getting conversations started at the very least.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

I would first and foremost use common sense. My #1 platform issue of campaign finance reform would go a long way in how we would re-think raising AND spending. We have a nearly 70K page tax code, we give billions every year in subsidies to companies who report record profits every year, that needs to stop. We give tax breaks to companies who outsource jobs overseas, that needs to stop. Congress used to have staffers to write and propose legislation based on the needs (representation) of the people, however, now, many laws are actually written by the attorneys of special interests..(banking industry lawyers wrote new bankruptcy laws) and our politicians just signed on. Remove the influence of the big donors, and we will see laws that benefit the people again.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I have lived in NJ my entire life. I am a wife, mother, and small (3 employee) business owner. Over the past three years I have spent $91K on healthcare and that is with insurance (Silver plan). This year my premiums increased by 10% and I am paying $2,203.41 for a family of three per month. What pushed me over the edge was being denied a one time $250.00 prescription my doctor said I needed. Healthcare costs are crushing my family. As worried as I am for myself I worry even more for my children. I am done with worrying and have decided to go all in and be the change I want to see in my State and my Country. I have done a lot of research into why premiums are so high and care is denied and it is the same as it is with any other issue from immigration to gun safety....special interest and big donor influence on our congress. That is why I am running. It is the issue that affects all issues, and until we clean up our Congress we will have no real representation.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Campaign Finance ReformAffordable health care and accessibilityCivility in our political discourse

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Affordable healthcare and accessibility, taxes, environment, affordable quality childcare, living wages, fair redistricting, voting rights, immigration, criminal justice reform, infrastructure.....all can be tied to campaign finance and the power of money in our Congress. I believe if we have true reform in our campaigns we will free up Congress to really work and pass legislation that benefit the people, not the special interests and big donors who have so much influence and control now. We constantly hear we are the richest country in the history of the world, yet most of of us live paycheck to paycheck. It needs to stop working for them and start benefiting us.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Easy question. I look up to Eleanor Roosevelt. I love all her quotes....my favorite is "You must do that thing you think you cannot do". She was a woman well before her time in so many ways. Kind, smart, hardworking and mostly inspiring. Following her example is a tall order, she was one of a kind.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Corporations are not People....Jeffrey D. Clements / The Mueller Report / Our Revolution...Bernie Sanders

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity, honesty, transparency, kindness, civility, accessibility, availability....listening to constituents, strong work ethic.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Determination. I never stop trying. I have a strong work ethic and I need to see things through. I care deeply about campaign finance reform and believe it is the single most important change we can make to have real movement on all the other issues that matter so much. I am good a working with others. I refuse to go negative and participate in any hateful rhetoric. I still tell my children they can't always get what they want and to be respectful and I practice those same principles myself. Ask anyone who has ever worked with me..... I get it done!

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Priority #1....upholding and defending the Constitution. Being responsible to the people who elected them into office. Always remembering to put the people's interests first. To bring back as much to your state as you can. Keep us out of wars!

What legacy would you like to leave?

That I was kind and committed. That I saw something that really needed to be fixed and that I put it all on the line to do the best I could to fix it. I want to leave something better for my children. I am not doing as well as my parents did and I don't want that to continue for them or for any other child. I want to live in the America I thought I lived in when I was a child...where anything is possible if you do the work...I want that to be true again.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I remember my father watching the news every night during Vietnam. I remember Walter Cronkite talking about how many "troops" died each day.....I wasn't sure what a "troop" was so I asked. When he explained that it was how many men were killed each day I cried. I will never forget it....something changed.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Very first job was a server in a Pizza Parlor when I was in HS. It only lasted a few months and it was kind of crazy. The owner also kept sheep in the field behind the parlor, one day one of the sheep escaped and he told me to go get it and I did! Yeah, I learned early on that a job description can change at any moment and that I am capable to do anything that needs to be done.

What is your favorite book? Why?

For whom the bell tolls....but I don't know why....I was expecting it to be really