Frelinghuysen Challenger Martin Hewitt Announces Change of Political Party:

To Run as a Moderate Republican

MORRISTOWN, NJ –Congressional candidate Martin Hewitt today announced he has changed his party affiliation from independent to Republican, and will challenge the 12 term incumbent Republican Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen for the party nomination. Hewitt laid out his plans and guiding principles in the rain before a small audience outside of Frelinghuysen’s Morristown office Friday afternoon.

“I am running for Congress after hearing so many friends of mine in this district voice their disgust with the business as usual attitude of Congressman Frelinghuysen, who many feel has betrayed longstanding republican principles,” said Hewitt. “The party of Theodore Roosevelt stood for protecting and preserving our national parks, and not legislating religion. Frelinghuysen has received donations exceeding $100,000,000 from Lockheed Martin, Honeywell International, the National Association of Realtors and several other corporations, to do their bidding and scarcely visit his own district office, which we stand outside, today.”

Hewitt, a private practice securities lawyer and Chairman of the ABA Committee on the State Regulation of Securities Committee, previously announced his intention to run as an independent candidate in May, also outside of Frelinghuysen’s office. “Former Congressman Pete Rodino once told me I should run for office, and I have felt disappointed by the national behavior of both the Democratic and Republican party, but now I believe I have a unique opportunity to change the Republican party from the inside, as a true moderate candidate.”

Hewitt has been involved with bi-partisan and nonpartisan organizations opposed to President Trump’s divisive policies on immigrant, abortion, and foreign policy which have been echoed by Frelinghuysen. Not seeking donations from corporate entities, Hewitt has received commitments from registered Republicans and Democrats to host small coffee and social events on his behalf, and participating in local religious ceremonies. A long distance runner, Hewitt is planning to run races in each of the 54 municipalities within the district before the June 2017 Republican primary.

More information about Hewitt and the 11th Congressional District can be found at http://hewittforcongress.com.