Though “diminutive” in size, West New York resident and Union City native Henrietta Dwyer has been ruffling a few big feathers in Hudson County politics lately, and she’s not making any apologies for it.
Dwyer, who describes herself as “fiscally conservative, socially moderate,” is a registered Republican – a breed few and far between in predominantly Democratic Hudson County – and she’s running for Congress against incumbent Albio Sires in the 13th Congressional District on Nov. 2.
The district includes Union City, West New York, Weehawken, Hoboken, North Bergen, Guttenberg, and parts of Jersey City and Bayonne.
These days you can find her at local cafés and laundromats sporting her “Dwyer 4 Congress” button and handing out business cards to everyone she meets.
Henrietta Dwyer doesn’t believe in free health care.
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“We need a new face representing Hudson County in D.C.,” said Dwyer. “This is the face of new politics in New Jersey.”
Hudson County born, raised, and educated
A lifelong Hudson County resident, Dwyer was born in Jersey City and grew up in Union City before moving to West New York.
Dwyer said that moving around was a “very rewarding experience” that allowed her to meet different people and become who she is today.
“I believe there are no accidents,” said Dwyer. “Nothing happens to you, things happen for you.”
Dwyer went into real estate right after high school along with her friend and business partner. She became known as one half of the “Diminutive Duo” – a female real estate power team in an industry dominated by men at the time.
She eventually attended night school at St. Peter’s College in Jersey City, achieved bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business, and went on to work extensively in the private sector.
She was most recently employed as the marketing director in radiology and PET imaging at a university in New York.
From Democrat to Republican
Dwyer said she had no interest in politics until her “Diminutive Duo” buddy got her talking about how politics and leadership affect everyone’s lives.
A registered Democrat until 1994, Dwyer said she decided to change party affiliation when she saw how “disgusting” the Democratic party was when they stuck up for then-President Bill Clinton after he lied in front of a judge about his personal affairs.
“I don’t care what you do,” she said. “You don’t lie to a judge.”
Though she admits that Republicans have their failures too, she staunchly stands by her party and said that no Republican has ever lied in front of a judge like that.
On a local level, Dwyer said that “one party control” needs to stop – and not just for Democrats.
“Corruption is equal opportunity,” said Dwyer.
Deciding to run
Dwyer said she was sitting on her couch watching the TV news about the health care debate earlier this year when she decided to run for office.
“I’m here because I decided the person who is representing this district is not doing a good job,” said Dwyer (see sidebar).
In addition to her business sense, Dwyer said she is looking forward to bringing a woman’s point of view to the predominantly male Hudson County political scene.
As for being a Republican surrounded by Democrats in the county, Dwyer said it is “freeing” because she doesn’t have to report to or run her beliefs through someone else.
Even still, she said she is looking forward to garnering support from Democrats who, she said, will see her as a “real person.”
“People want real, authentic, genuine,” said Dwyer.
If elected representative for the 13th District, Dwyer would be speaking for a culturally diverse area on the national stage.
It’s a job she can take on, she said, because she can relate on levels that cut across ethnic lines.
“I grew up poor,” said Dwyer. “I know what it’s like to be left out.”
Still, Dwyer makes no bones about people owning up to personal responsibility, even if that means failing sometimes. “The things you fail are at the things that build your character,” said Dwyer.
On the issues
Dwyer is a big proponent of strong education as a foundation in life. The changes she hopes to make in Washington run the gamut from elementary school to college.
She would like to see algebra being taught in sixth through eighth grade and believes there should be a minimum GPA requirement for anyone who applies for federal student loans or grants.
She also is in favor of providing in-state tuition for illegal immigrants, which she sees as an investment in the future of kids who (in many situations) have spent almost their whole lives in the United States.
Dwyer said that in order to grow the economy, the country should be providing incentives for innovation, not penalties for doing business.
She gave examples such as tax incentives for manufacturers to return to the United States, fostering innovation instead of penalties under the Democratic-proposed “Cap and Trade” program (which would place a mandatory cap on emissions and require companies to buy “emission permits” from other companies who don’t need them in order to exceed those amounts), and tax breaks for American auto makers based on miles per gallon.
With regard to health care, which has sparked major controversy nationwide between Democrats and Republicans, Dwyer said that health care should stay private
“We have to figure out a way to have people covered,” she said. “But the public [option] is not the answer.”
These days, Dwyer can empathize with families struggling with little or no health care – she is currently not working and her COBRA benefits have expired. She said her only health insurance at the moment is trying to stay healthy.
But a free handout from the government is not the answer for her or anyone else she said.
“We cannot make every story right,” said Dwyer. “But we can make the big picture better.”
Dwyer on Sires
Dwyer is running against Democratic incumbent Rep. Albio Sires in November. According to Dwyer, it was Sires’ failure to hold town hall meetings regarding the healthcare debate that led her to run for office.
“He should’ve shown up and talked to his constituents,” she said.
Sires said poll numbers showed a majority of the people in the 13th Congressional district supported the health care reforms proposed by the Obama administration, and therefore there was no need to hold town meetings.
“We didn’t need to hold town hall meetings in my district, and I cautioned [Rep.] Steve Rothman [D-9th Dist.] against holding them in his, because the Tea Party wasn’t coming to discuss anything,” Sires said in response last week. “They just wanted a platform to get media attention.”
Dwyer, billing herself as the representative of “real” people, called Sires an “elitist” and said that Sires has led a “charmed life.”
Sires bristled at that comment.
“I grew up on the streets of West New York. My parents rented a cold-water flat for $45 a month,” he said. “I grew up on 65th and Dewey. I attended public schools and the only reason I was able to go to college is because I earned a scholarship in basketball.”
Dwyer also criticized Sires for making a career out of politics. She said she is a proud businesswoman who can bring some real business sense to Washington.
“Though Sires claims to be a businessman,” said Dwyer. “He’s been on the public payroll for the past 20 years.”
Sires said he’s operated his own business for 22 years and doesn’t depend on government to make a living.
“When I lost an election, I went back to my business to make sure I had a paycheck on Friday,” said Sires.
For more information on upcoming elections in New Jersey and voter resources, visit www.state.nj.us/state/elections. Election Day is Nov. 2. – LRD
Lana Rose Diaz can be reached at ldiaz@hudsonreporter.com.