Senate Candidate Steve Lonegan Praises GOP for Shutdown

By Anthony Bellano

Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Steve Lonegan praised Republicans for their part in the government shutdown during a campaign appearance alongside Texas Gov. Rick Perry at the Smithville Inn in Galloway on Tuesday, philly.com reports.

According to the report, Lonegan stated he “hopes the government remains shut down until Oct. 16,” the date of the special election to fill the late Frank Lautenberg’s seat. He believes a win over Democratic candidate Cory Booker would result in the Democrats “folding” on the Affordable Care Act, according to the report.

He praised Republicans for “having the guts to hold the line,” in opposition to President Barack Obama’s healthcare law, and accused Obama of being “uncooperative,” according to the report.

According to The Trentonian, Lonegan and Perry held town hall meetings in Galloway, Berkeley and Hasbrouck Heights. In Hasbrouck Heights, he described the healthcare law as "criminal."

Lonegan will debate Booker twice over the course of the next week, including a Friday night debate in Trenton and a debate on Wednesday, Oct. 9, at Rowan University in Glassboro