RANDOLPH – Today, Joe Hathaway, the Republican nominee in New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District released “A New Jersey Declaration,” a statement marking the nation’s 250th anniversary that calls for a return to common-sense leadership, public service, and a government that puts people ahead of politics.
In the declaration, Hathaway rejects partisan extremism, professional activists, excessive government control, and blind loyalty to political parties, while reaffirming his commitment to practical leadership focused on lowering costs, supporting public safety, strengthening small businesses, and delivering results for New Jersey families.
“As we celebrate 250 years of American independence, I believe it’s time to declare our independence from the broken politics that have forgotten the people they’re supposed to serve,” Hathaway said. “I’ve never believed leadership is about serving a political party or advancing an ideological agenda. It’s about solving problems, doing what’s right for the people you represent, and remembering that public office is a privilege, not an entitlement.”
Hathaway said his experience serving as Mayor of Randolph shaped the philosophy behind the declaration.
“When you’re fixing roads, supporting your police department, or balancing a budget, nobody asks whether the solution is Republican or Democrat—they just want it to work,” Hathaway continued. “That’s the mindset I’ll bring to Congress. If an idea is good for New Jersey, I’ll support it. If it isn’t, I won’t.”
The declaration concludes with a call for a new generation of leadership grounded in hard work, personal responsibility, strong families, safe communities, and the belief that America’s best days remain ahead.
Full text:
Today, I declare my independence. Not from America, but from the broken politics that have forgotten the people they’re supposed to serve.
I declare independence from professional activists who run for office just to advance an ideological agenda.
I declare independence from the belief that the government always knows best.
I declare independence from the idea that every problem can be solved with another tax, another mandate, or another federal program.
I declare independence from the politics of division, where we’re told to fear our fellow Americans instead of working together.
I declare independence from extremism, no matter which party it’s wearing.
And I declare independence from anyone who expects blind loyalty to a political party instead of loyalty to the people.
I’ve never believed that’s how the government is supposed to work.
As Mayor of Randolph, nobody asked whether the pothole was Republican or Democrat. Nobody cared whether a police officer, firefighter, or EMT belonged to one political party or another.
People wanted their streets safe. Their taxes spent responsibly. Their government to work.
That’s what leadership looks like.
If an idea is good for New Jersey, I’ll support it.
If it lowers costs for families, strengthens public safety, helps small businesses, or makes our communities stronger, I’ll fight for it.
If it doesn’t, I won’t. It’s really that simple.
Washington doesn’t need more politicians trying to become celebrities, it needs more public servants willing to roll up their sleeves and get to work.
To the parents trying to stretch every paycheck, to the small business owners carrying the weight of rising costs and endless regulations, to our law enforcement officers, firefighters, first responders, and veterans who quietly serve every day, to seniors who deserve security after a lifetime of hard work, to young families wondering if they’ll ever be able to afford a home in New Jersey: You deserve representatives who listen more than they lecture.
A representative who solves problems instead of creating them. A representative who cares more about results than rhetoric.
Nearly 250 years ago, Americans declared that the government exists because its power comes from the people, not the other way around.
That idea changed the world. It still matters today.
Because freedom isn’t just something we celebrate every Fourth of July.
It’s something we protect every day by defending common sense, rewarding hard work, respecting the Constitution, supporting our communities, and remembering that public office is a privilege, not an entitlement.
America doesn’t need another generation of politicians who tell us why nothing can be fixed.
We need a generation of leaders willing to fix what’s broken.
That’s why I’m running for Congress. Not to become part of Washington, but to help change it.
As we celebrate 250 years of American independence, let’s reject the politics that divide us. Let’s choose common sense over chaos. Results over rhetoric. Service over self-interest.
Let’s return to the values that built this country: hard work, personal responsibility, safe communities, strong families, and the belief that tomorrow can be better than today.
The American Dream isn’t gone, it just needs leaders willing to fight for it again.
Today, I renew my commitment: Independent in thought. Grounded in common sense. Focused on results.
Always fighting for the people of New Jersey’s 11th District.
Joe Hathaway is the Republican nominee for Congress in New Jersey’s 11th District. Hathaway has served on the Randolph Township Council since 2022, and is the immediate past Mayor. He lives in Randolph with his wife Whitney, and their three young children.
