Frelinghuysen Meets, Greets Area Constituents

U.S. Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen made campaign stops at two area restaurants Wednesday night to introduce himself to new constituents in the redistricted 11^th Congressional district.

Frelinghuysen (R-11th District) stopped at the Verona Diner, 676 Bloomfield Ave. and The Grasshopper Restaurant in Cedar Grove, 292 Grove Ave., and introduced himself to Essex County residents, many of whom didn’t know the incumbent or realize he represented them in Washington.

At the Verona Diner, the Republican chatted about the economy with West Caldwell resident Alice Gibson and Caldwell resident Connie Shick.

“People are always thrilled to meet someone running for Congress,” Frelinghuysen said. “And when I tell them I’m already in Congress they get really excited.”

At The Grasshopper Restaurant in Cedar Grove, John Irvine of Cedar Grove asked Frelinghuysen if thought President Barack Obama would lose in November.

"I do, actually," Frelinghuysen said.

The diner tour began at the Nutley Diner in Nutley before moving on to the Nevada Diner in Bloomfield. Verona and Cedar Grove were the last stops on the tour.

“This is where everything goes on in this town,” Frelinghuysen said about diners. "It's some sort of New Jersey phenomenon."

The women laughed and appreciated the red, white and blue nail file Frelinghuysen gave out to constituents Wednesday night.

Frelinghuysen made sure to speak with diner employees along the way as well.

“Our granddaughter worked for him last year,” said Grasshopper owner Josephine Fitzpatrick said. "He seems nice.”

In November, Frelinghuysen will face former Roseland Mayor John Arvanites, the Democratic candidate, for the seat. 

Since the redistricting, New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District has the largest population of residents of the districts up for grabs in November. The district was centered in Morris County, but recently added more communities in Essex and Passaic counties.

The townships added to the district last December include Nutley, Bloomfield, Wayne, Cedar Grove, Verona, Montclair, Pompton Lakes, Ogdensburg, Bloomingdale, Little Falls, North Haledon, Woodland Park and Wanaque.

The redistricting has added more than 270,000 people to the district, Frelinghuysen said.