Parsippany Resident To Run For Governor for Third Time

Kenneth Kaplan, a commercial real estate broker and Parsippany resident, has filed a petition to run as a Libertarian Party candidate in November's gubernatorial election.

Kaplan, president and broker of record at KenKap Realty Corp. based in Parsippany, officially announced his candidacy on Tuesday. He holds a bachelor's degree, cum laude, from Brandeis University and is a graduate of NYU Law School.

“I'm deeply committed to the Libertarian ideology of smaller government and all the rights that stem from an individual,” said Kaplan. “You own your own body and the government should only restrict it when it interferes with your neighbor.” 

Since Kaplan is a Libertarian he was not required to participate in the June primary election, which is required for a political party.

"New Jersey election law defines a political party as that which gets at least 10 percent of the vote," said Kaplan.

In New Jersey there are no other official parties except Republican and Democrat, he added. Instead of primary elections, third parties and independents are required to obtain at least 800 valid signature on a petition. As of Tuesday, Kaplan had acquired 1,033 signatures.

Kaplan has run for governor in 2009 and 1993. He came in fourth place both times, once out of 16 candidates, the other out of 12.

“I think a lot of people are tired of the two-party system and constant bickering and want a fresh voice,” he said.

Kaplan issued the following written statement:

“I am running for Governor because NJ needs a Governor who respects the people of New Jersey and their individual rights.

Chris Christie has been a roadblock to the availability of medical marijuana in New Jersey. Suffering patients are still unable to obtain their medicine, 3 ½ years after our legislature made it legal. I lay the blame squarely on the Governor.

Same sex couples are denied the right to marry because the Governor vetoed the marriage equality bill that would have guaranteed their civil rights. I will sign such a bill.

State spending is still out of control, as is spending at the county and municipal levels.

As Governor, I will submit an initial budget that will call for enough cuts to enact an immediate decrease in the state income tax, and future cuts that will enable us to completely eliminate that tax by the end of my first term. I will also move to eliminate county government, dividing its responsibilities between the state and municipalities, while encouraging regionalization of services by municipalities when it makes sense.

New Jersey’s gun laws contravene the U.S.Constitution, and though I myself am not a gun owner, I respect the constitutional right to bear arms to the same degree I respect the right to freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press.  While supporting the constitutional rights of gun owners, I also support severe penalties for those who use guns to commit crimes. Assuring public safety is a key role of government.”