Here’s why we enthusiastically endorse Tony Kono for LD10 Assembly:
The “County Line” in primary election ballots: Being placed in a preferential ballot position unfairly benefits some candidates and disadvantages others. Recognizing the outsize influence of the “county line” primary election ballots on the outcomes of elections, and the considerable voter confusion that they cause, I will support changing the NJ primary ballot to an “Office Bloc” design as is used in every other state and in some counties in NJ (see http://ggcnj.org/resolution for more information).
Comment: The ballots have always seemed confusing and clarifying them would benefit all candidates
Ballot Order: Following best practices in 16 states, I will support implementing a rotational ballot order system that ensures to the greatest extent possible that all candidates running for the same office receive the first and subsequent ballot positions in an equal number of election districts and no candidate is advantaged over other candidates on the basis of their ballot placement (see http://ggcnj.org/resolution for more details).
Comment: as I stated above – clarifying how the ballot appears would benefit all candidates
Voter access: I support adopting parts of H.R.1 in New Jersey in order to increase voter participation, ensure access to the ballot box, and strengthen elections, including specifically same day registration, early voting and a paper trail for machine voting that enables verification.
Comment: Everyone who wants to vote should have easy access to the ballot box – I strongly support same day registration, automatic registration, early voting and paper ballots
Ethics reform: I support ethics reforms that would require broader disclosure of financial information and the release of income taxes by candidates for county-level and state-level public office, as a means of transparency.
Comment: considering my financial statement to date is almost non-existent – it would be a great help and offer clarity to have all candidates have to be 100% financially transparent
Campaign funding: I support the public funding of campaigns for all state-level elected offices (i.e., the state legislature and gubernatorial elections).
Comment: taking as much corporate and dark money out of politics as possibly will benefit everyone
Redistricting: I support placing a nonpartisan commission in charge of the legislative redistricting process.
Comment: absolutely – district should be drawn by population density – not political affiliation
Public Advocate: I support passing legislation to reinstate the statewide Office of the Public Advocate that was eliminated in 2010.
Posting of bills: I support requiring bills to be posted a minimum of 72hrs prior to voting in the legislature, to allow legislators to read bills thoroughly and obtain feedback from the public.
Comment: absolutely – many bills are complex and if enough time is not allowed for review, constituents understand that their representatives are not voting based on a thorough review of the issue
Legislative meetings: I support making all committee meetings accessible to the public for attendance and testimony by online means (e.g., via zoom) and streaming of voting sessions even after COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, to increase availability and transparency of government.
Comment: C-Span for New Jersey would be an amazing development yes
Full time legislature: I support making the state legislature full-time and prohibiting the simultaneous holding of other paid positions, so as to eliminate conflicts of interest and sources of influence and pressure on state legislators.
Comment: yes – the double dipping that goes on is ridiculous – the NJ 10 legislators are some of the worst offenders
More information about Tony Kono:
Email: tkono61@gmail.com
Phone: 1-908-337-5774
Social media: Facebook
Party affiliation: Democratic party
Date of Birth: 9/20/1961
Current Occupation: SVP Public Relations
Education: BA English Middlebury College
Public/party service: Chair of Brick Township Environmental Commission
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