What makes Hal Turner run?

His press releases have targeted unusual topics ranging from the use of Legos in a college admissions test to U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala’s status as an “ignorant socialist.” His controversial letters-to-the-editor over the past decade have graced The New York Times, the Post, the Daily News, The Star-Ledger, the Bergen Record, the Jersey Journal and of course, the Hudson Reporter newspapers. “I’ve always been the kind of person who is willing to speak out and say something when I don’t agree with something,” said 37-year-old North Bergen resident and congressional candidate Harold “Hal” Turner last week. “Whether that’s being an activist or not, I don’t know. Al Sharpton’s considered an activist, so I don’t think I want that title. But I’ve been one to express my opinions on issues I deeply believe in.” Turner added, “And I enjoy writing letters. I believe my letters generate responses. I know I have something to say.” It is the letter-writing that has inspired Turner to seek public office, as a Republican candidate for the 13th District Congress seat, currently owned and occupied by Union City native Robert Menendez, a Democrat. Turner said that he has written to Menendez on several occasions about issues and topics that Turner is vehemently opposed to, but didn’t change Menendez’ voting procedures in the House of Representatives. “I’ve written to him and that hasn’t worked,” Turner said. “The only thing left to do was to run against him.” But Turner is fully aware that it will be a brutally tough fight, as a unknown Republican trying to defeat a popular and respected Democrat in his backyard – a Democrat with a ton of local support, no less. “No doubt about it,” Turner said. “I’m the long shot. It’s an uphill battle. But I’m going to try my level best to give him the fight of his political life.” So who is Hal Turner? And why does he want to take on this seemingly no-win fight? Well … Turner was born in Jersey City and lived in Union City until he was five years old, when his family moved to Ridgefield Park, where he was raised and attended high school. He served on the volunteer rescue squad in the town. His job forced him to move to Atlanta for a few years before returning north in 1990, where he settled in North Bergen and remained ever since. He currently works as a licensed real estate salesperson in Jersey City. He and his wife, Phyllis, have a five-year-old son, Michael. Since his return to the Hudson County area a decade ago, Turner has been active in the community, and has generally espoused right-wing views. He has lashed out at several area politicians for their stands on issues. In 1994, Turner ran for his first elected seat, as a member of the Hudson County Republican Committee, and won. In 1997, he served as the campaign manager for Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Murray Sabrin. A year later, Turner first started thinking about running for the congressional seat occupied by Menendez, the former Union City mayor and state senator. “In November of 1998, I started noticing some things going to Congress, the budget, the impeachment proceedings, that I really didn’t like,” Turner said. “It riled me up so much that I started to think about running.” During that time frame, Turner started charting the voting record of Menendez in Congress. “The more I watched it, the less I liked it,” Turner said. “There were so many things that he voted for that I was adamantly opposed to.” Against abortion So what does Turner believe? “Abortion has to be a big part of the campaign,” Turner said. “When I got involved in this, I had a lot of pro-life people tell me stories that I couldn’t believe and I’ve been able to verify. I think that the right to keep and bear arms has to be an issue. I’m a strong supporter of that. And freedom, basic freedom. I don’t need some bureaucrat telling me what’s best for my children. I know what’s best.” Turner officially launched his campaign last October and has been actively seeking campaign contributions ever since. He has also established a website: www.turner2000.org. “I’ve raised several thousands of dollars and I hope to raise a lot more,” Turner said. “Just by getting my message out. I came up with 10 things that Menendez has voted on and I will present these issues. Hopefully, people will see things the way I do.” Added Turner, “I just sent out a 2,000-letter mailing asking for more support. If you look, no candidate has ever raised as much money as I have this early. So people are definitely paying attention to me.” Of Menendez, Turner said, “He’s been involved so long that perhaps people are tired of him. I’d rather to keep to the issues in this campaign, but if it becomes a bare-knuckle street fight, then I’m ready to get my hands dirty. Somebody has to stand up and confront this guy and it might as well be me.” Turner said that he has spent some time trying to round up some local Republican support. He said he met with former U.S. Senate candidate Garabed “Chuck” Haytayian, with Hudson County Republican chairman Angelo Valente and with Jersey City Mayor Bret Schundler, Hudson County’s most high-profiled Republican. “They have not given me their support yet, but they wanted to feel me out,” Turner said. Turner has met with Republican leaders in other counties. But still, the prospects for Turner unseating Menendez don’t seem promising. “As far as people saying it’s a no-win situation and that I’m wasting my time, well, that’s what they told George Washington when he was taking on the old British empire,” Turner said. “I honestly don’t think it’s a hopeless case. Look at what [Minnesota Gov.] Jesse Ventura did. That victory sent shock waves throughout the country. No one expected that. Voters are funny. If you speak from the heart, whether they’re a Democrat, Republican or Independent, they’re going to vote for you. I fully well expect to be painted as a right-wing extremist. But I’m really not.” And if Turner doesn’t gain election in November, then he’s ready for another fight in 2002. “I’ll be back,” Turner said, “but I’m not anticipating that.” Turner was asked if the entire process has been a little frightening. “It is a little scary,” Turner said, “but there’s also an exhilarating side to it all. When people I don’t know are coming up to me and shaking my hand, telling me that they agree with me, that makes me feel good, makes me feel like I’m making a difference.”