John McCann, a Bergen County attorney, speaks plainly when it comes to his 5th-District congressional candidacy against first-time incumbent Rep. Josh Gottheimer.
Indeed, the Republican and former general counsel for the New Jersey Sherriff’s Association is a staunch and outspoken supporter of President Donald Trump and a huge critic of Gottheimer and the Democrats.
McCann is all for building a wall to restrict immigration and outlawing sanctuary cities. He is also a strong supporter of Israel.
At 58 years old, McCann said that if he were elected, he would serve no more than three terms.
John and his wife, Sharon, an obstetrician, raised two daughters in Cresskill. The candidate and his wife live in Oakland.
JLNJ: Do you feel that this year’s midterm elections are the most urgent you can remember in recent years? How did we get to the point of this urgency?
John McCann: Yes, this election is the most important election of my lifetime. We are in this position because the socialists are trying to take over our government. After eight years of Obama and the Democrats appeasing enemies of Israel, we are finally in a position of strength.
JLNJ: If the House becomes majority Democrat, what do you think will change for the better for
Americans and for New Jersey residents in the short term and in the long term?
John McCann: Nothing.
JLNJ: In the Senate, with the numbers so close in terms of majority, do you feel the two sides could work better together?
John McCann: No, the socialists do not want to work with the Republicans.
JLNJ: Is there a growing concern in the state especially over Sen. Booker’s change of heart towards Israel?
John McCann: I do not know of a change of heart. The only public position I am aware of is that he was anti-Israel. There is a photo of Sen. Booker holding a sign that says “From Palestine to Mexico, all the walls have got to go.”
JLNJ: When you take the pulse of your possible constituents, how are they feeling about the state of the nation these days?
John McCann: Unfortunately, the state of the nation has never been more divided in my lifetime. That is because of Nancy Pelosi, Maxine Waters and Josh Gottheimer.
JLNJ: In what areas do you feel your opponent has “dropped the ball” during his one term in office?
John McCann: My opponent is touting lowering taxes when in fact he voted against tax cuts for our families. New Jersey’s taxes are among the highest in the country. It is our duty as elected officials to bring aid and relief to our residents, so they can continue to live in New Jersey comfortably.
And he has dropped the ball on national security by voting against the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act.
I am beyond disheartened that he continues to affiliate himself with Senator Bob Menendez, whom I feel should have resigned due to his ethical lapses.
JLNJ: Do you feel that Israel is in a good place as far as its security is concerned and its relationship with the US? Has the attitude towards Israel changed any since the embassy was moved and after the US pulled out of the Iran Nuclear Deal?
John McCann: Clearly the Trump Administration is a better friend to Israel than any of the previous administrations.
JLNJ: After the midterms are over, does the country almost immediately start looking at 2020? Do you feel the nation is divided at this time?
John McCann: Some of the Democratic contenders have already started to run for president now before the midterms. If the Democrats should win they are going to try to undo the tax cuts, impeach the president and impeach Justice Brett Kavanaugh—that is what they have stated. These actions of course are divisive on their face.
We should not lose sight of the fact that if the Democrats take control of congress, Israel will almost certainly lose support.
JLNJ: What do you want to see happen at these midterms?
John McCann: I want to see the Republicans maintain control of the house and increase their lead in the Senate in order to ensure a strong foreign policy with its Israeli partner.
JLNJ: Will there be more homeland security money moving in the direction of Jewish institutions this coming session?
John McCann: There ought to be, but it is unknown as there is no budget proposal at this time. If the Democrats take control, the answer sadly is no.
JLNJ: Mr. McCann, are you concerned by what some see as a move to the far left against Israel in the Democrat party?
John McCann: Absolutely. Absolutely. Absolutely.
Part of the problem is that there are some leaders in the community that allow people like Josh Gottheimer to say one thing, do another and never call him out for it. Change only comes when we elect change agents. I am only committed to the people of the 5th District of New Jersey. Josh Gottheimer, from day one, embarrassed his constituents by breaking his word, involving himself in ethical scandals and doing one thing and saying another. I believe it is time to break up the Menendez-Gottheimer-Pelosi connection.
By Phil Jacobs
