Dennis Shulman for U.S. Congress: Sensible Leadership for New Jersey’s 5th District

September 24th, 2008

First ad of general election campaign makes clear that Garrett is not on the side of New Jersey taxpayers, as pretend farmer Garrett exploits tax system

Haworth - The Shulman for Congress campaign today issued a hard-hitting ad attacking Scott Garrett as both bad for New Jersey taxpayers and yet another corrupt politician.  The ad is running throughout the district, and the Shulman campaign will remain on television throughout the district through Election Day.

“Scott Garrett’s property tax shenanigans are a small part of the many ways in which Garrett is bad for New Jersey taxpayers, but good at taking care of himself,” said Jeff Hauser, campaign manager for Dennis Shulman, the Democratic nominee in New Jersey’s Fifth Congressional District. “Garrett consistently plays the corrupt Washington DC special interest game, enriching himself at taxpayer’s expense while breaking federal law by hiding from those very same taxpayers the existence of property likely worth in the millions.”

“Dennis Shulman, an accomplished community leader and teacher of ethics, offers New Jersey’s taxpayers an alternative who approaches public office as an opportunity to further serve his community, not the most lucrative job he can find.”

To view the ad and supporting evidence, please visit “Garrett’s Shrubs,” www.GarrettShrubs.com

KEY FACTS:

• Garrett owns a ten acre “tree and shrub” farm supposedly farmed by his brother; he claims that it generates roughly $700 a year in income.
• Garrett takes a massive tax break for farmers worth up to $41,000 a year.
• Scott Garrett and his wife are required by federal law to disclose publicly every asset worth more than $1,000, but even though they own a “shrub farm” with a worth likely in the millions, they hide their shrub farm from the public.

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Dennis Shulman was recently profiled by The New Yorker and Time as momentum for his campaign continues to grow, and recent polling in the district validates the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s recent decision to upgrade NJ-5 as an “Emerging Race” and to buy advertising time in the district.  Only 31% of likely voters in NJ-5 plan to re-elect Garrett and, by a 68-17% margin, the district seeks change from George Bush’s policies.

Dr. Dennis Shulman has gained international recognition for his 30 years of work as a psychologist, educator, and author.  An ordained rabbi for five years and blind since childhood, he has lived in New Jersey’s Fifth District for more than 25 years with his wife, Dr. Pamela Tropper, an obstetrician. They have two adult daughters.

Additional background on Dr. Dennis Shulman and his challenge to Scott Garrett:

• “Rabbi With the Compelling Back Story Is Not to Be Ruled Out,” Peter Applebome, The New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/nyregion/14towns.html?_r=1&ref=nyregion&oref=slogin

• “A Rabbi in Congress?,” Adam Goodman, Time, http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1824434,00.html
• “On the Trail: First Timer,” Jeffrey Toobin, The New Yorker, http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2008/07/28/080728ta_talk_toobin

• Press Releases