Student excited about clean elections program

As a Rider University student, I am thrilled to be able to participate in the 14th District Clean Elections Pilot Program in one of the most competitive state races. Requiring candidates to collect small contributions from hundreds of registered voters in the district in order to qualify for public funding and not allowing interest group or corporate donations opens up the political process in a completely new way. In fact, the success of this program could spell the beginning of a new era in New Jersey politics.

Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein - a sponsor of clean elections legislation - is running for re-election to the Assembly. The new Democratic team also has two first-time legislative candidates. Senate candidate Seema Singh is former ratepayer advocate. She stood up for consumers against utility companies and would break new ground by becoming the first Asian-American in the Senate. Completing the slate is former Hamilton council president and union leader Wayne DeAngelo.

The recent ruling by the Supreme Court on campaign finance law for the 2008 presidential race will allow our television screens to be flooded with more swift boat ads. At a time when politics has become more partisan and more polarizing, it is exciting to have a slate of such diverse, qualified and hardworking candidates in a grassroots race representing what elections are supposed to be about - the people.

Jamie Papapetros

Plainsboro