HUDSON COUNTY – Independent Steven DeLuca, who is running against Democratic Congressman Albio Sires and Republican María Karczewski in the 8th congressional district on Nov. 6, has challenged his opponents to a debate.
“It’s been more than 48 hours and I still haven’t had a response from either candidate to my debate challenge,” Deluca said. “Since they haven’t responded to any reporters’ calls or emails either and haven’t answered any questionnaires as I have, it’s clear I’m the only candidate who is taking this campaign seriously.
The 8th District was formerly the 13th district until boundary lines were changed this year, cutting off most of its most southern geographic territory in Union County and expanding it into Essex County. The district has also changed in Hudson County, where it now includes a greater portion of Jersey City, lesser parts of Bayonne, all of Guttenberg, Hoboken, Union City, Weehawken, West New York, and North Bergen.
DeLuca, who ran last year for Hudson County Executive as a Republican, is an activist attorney in Jersey City who says he hopes to bring attention to some major social issues in the 8th District, including illegal drug distribution, prostitution and human trafficking.
“There are issues that this county needs to solve and I think I have the experience and capacity to help, and because of my experience, I know how Washington works,” he said during an interview for a Hudson Reporter story early in October.