Election 2022: 11th Congressional District Candidate Ruth McAndrew

NEW JERSEY, NJ — In a few weeks, New Jersey residents will head to the polls to vote in the House of Representatives primary election. Patch sent out questions to candidates to share their thoughts ahead of the June 7 primary.

Five Republicans are vying to unseat Democrat Mikie Sherrill, who won the seat for the first time in 2018. The Republican candidates are Tayfun Selen, Paul DeGroot, Ruth McAndrew, Alexander R. Halter and Toby Anderson. Sherrill doesn't have a primary challenger.

Patch sent out questionnaires to local candidates and will run profiles for those running this year.

Below are Republican candidate Ruth McAndrew's answers:

Name: Ruth McAndrew
City or town of residence: Randolph

Campaign website: https://mcandrewforcongress.co...

Office sought: U.S. House
Party affiliation: NO ANSWER (Editor's Note: McAndrew is running as a Republican)

Education: AAS in Nursing from County College of Morris 2007. BSN in Nursing from Gannon University 2015.
Occupation: An RN Currently employed as a Hospice Triage RN with Compassionate Care Hospice of Clifton.

Family: I’m a life-long resident of Randolph, NJ and have been married for 37 years to John McAndew III, we have two grown daughters and a granddaughter. We both work in emergency services, I’m a Hospice Triage RN with Compassionate Care Hospice of Clifton, NJ. John is an Instructor for the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy. We are active volunteers in the Randolph Township Fire Department. John and I also own and operate Miller’s Hill Farm. Our family’s 95 acre preserved farm has been in operation since 1924 when my grandparents moved from Newark, NJ to this beautiful countryside, to raise their family and fulfill their American dream.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?: No

Age: 58

Previous public office, appointive or elective: No

Why are you seeking this office? I'm seeking this office because we need a diverse background of Representatives in our government. With my experience in Nursing, medical profession, farming and small business I will bring to the table common sense solutions for the issues that effect our country and quality of life of the people. I will work with teams of professionals in the fields of farming to created/present bills during this inflation/recession so local farms can survive and continue to feed our communities throughout this crisis, as farmers we also have common sense solutions for the environment and energy crisis. I am working with a team of Nurses/Medical professionals to introduce a bill for "Medicare at Home" for our Seniors so they can age in place, keep all they've worked for all their lives and keep families together. This legislation will also relieve the stress on the medical community, expand job opportunities in Healthcare and prevent the collapse of our Healthcare system. This also decreases the spread of infection in the event of another Pandemic. During my campaign journey, I have developed a renewed faith and great pride in the commitment and resilience of the residents of NJ. We come from a state with the highest taxes in the country, we have a governor who has tried to crush the spirit and work ethic of its people for the past 5 years and we survived the epicenter of the Covid-19 Pandemic...throughout all of this we stand tall, we fight to protect the rights of our families, our childrens' education, our medical freedoms, our law enforcement agencies and all emergency services and veterans - while continuing to volunteer in our communities, organize grassroots groups and help our neighbors in their time of need. I want to go to Washington to lessen the burden to NJ residents from freedom crushing legislation in DC, so we can continue to be Jersey Strong, Jersey Proud, Jersey Great and Always the Garden State! I am so proud to call myself a "Jersey Girl", I will Make Your Vote Count, and Take Back the House!

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is infringement of their personal rights/freedoms and I intend to block bills that continue to infringe on our rights; introduce/reinstate bills that protect the peoples' rights and fight to eliminate legislation that negatively impacts the people as a whole. The government is intended to work for the people not control and beat down the people.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am not a politician or a lawyer, I'm a blue collar worker. Congress is not a career, it should be a
temporary service to our Country.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

Mikie Sherril is ineffective, she's silent on all big issues in our country. She has never introduced
or written a bill and she only votes her party line.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Support border control, trying to get all sides to address energy and environmental issues as a
multi system approach, not a singular approach, use all forms of energy as they fit for regions.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

In Nursing, we practice: assessing, diagnosis, planning, implementing and evaluating daily, all
situations. In farming we plan for seasons and for the future, I would work with government the
same way.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Nursing Professor – cross your T's and dot your I's.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I will work smart and hard, I will seek advice from the best in the field and I will go home when
my service is complete to allow others to serve our country.

Editor's Note: Patch sent out emails to all candidates to the email addresses listed for their campaign provided to the office of the clerk. The responses received will be published between now and the primary election. These responses will be published and edited only for style. Candidates who would like to participate but did not receive one (for whatever reason) can contact vianella.burns@Patch.com.