Dear Editor:
So many years have passed, but it still seems like yesterday. My wife and I were newlyweds, and at the urging of friends, I had decided to run for the State Assembly. It was 1967, and suddenly I was faced with raising money, learning issues and assembling a campaign team.
One day I met a high school student who volunteered to help. His name was Bob Franks. I didn’t expect much. Many people volunteer to help candidates, few follow through. But he was different. He reminded me of the pied piper. Every week he showed up with more friends. Soon they were stuffing envelopes, going door-to-door and providing a loud cheering section at every event. His enthusiasm was contagious. He found a joy in working for things or people he believed in which was contagious. Some 30 years later, Bob Franks is still the “happy warrior.”
I have worked with Bob over the years in a number of positions. As a State Assemblyman and leader in that body, he helped me move a number of important legislative initiatives during my administration. As a fiscal conservative he took the lead in opposing the Florio tax increase and eventually in ensuring its repeal. Elected to the United States Congress, he moved to voluntarily cut his own pay and helped to write the first balanced Federal budget in a generation.
The Bob Franks I know is dead honest. Unlike too many of his former Washington colleagues, he has never used his office to enrich himself or his family. After years of public service, financial disclosure shows Bob Franks living modestly on his government salary. Maybe that’s one of the reasons he has remained dedicated to the needs of the average New Jersey citizen.
He knows the state as well as anybody. I suspect he has visited every one of our towns and cities at least once. He listens and learns. Last year his consistent campaigning almost led to an upset over a candidate who spent more money in this state than any candidate had spent in the entire history of the United States. When the dust settled, Bob was out spent by 10-1 but only lost by 2 percent.
I left office over 10 years ago. Since that time, I have endorsed very few primary candidates. This year I’m making an exception. The reason is simple. I’m not against Bret Schundler; I’m for Bob Franks. As an elected leader of the State Republican party, as a leader of the State Assembly, and as a leader of Congress, Bob Franks has compiled an unblemished record.
But more importantly, I know Bob Franks, the man. To me he is more than a political leader. He is a good friend. His integrity, his knowledge and his enthusiasm will make him a good candidate and a great governor. I would never presume to tell you how to vote, but I would ask you to consider my friend, Bob Franks. You won’t be sorry.
Thomas H. Kean