Who are you and what is your background?

My parents were from Beijing, China and they moved to Taiwan in 1949. I was born and raised in Taiwan, graduated from the National Taiwan University (majored in Foreign Languages and Literature) and married my wife Tammy in Taiwan. We came to the United States in 1983 to pursue my graduate degree. I graduated from the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) with a Master of Science degree in Computer Science. I worked at the renowned Bell Labs for 15 years and have been in the Information Technology industry for 23 years, until I resigned from my fulltime IT management job in May so I could dedicate all my time to running this campaign. Tammy and I have raised two boys in Bridgewater. The eldest has just graduated from film school and the youngest began his first year of business school at New York University this year. I was first elected to public office in 2001 as a Republican Councilman in Bridgewater Township in New Jersey, and was re-elected in 2005. I was also elected as the Bridgewater Council President in 2005. Additionally, on the county level, I was elected as the President of the Somerset County Governing Officials Association in 2007. Tammy and I have lived in Bridgewater for 18 years.

Could you tell us what community organizations that you have served or are serving now?

I've served and am still serving many community organizations. Let me just name a few important ones:

• Director of American Red Cross, Tri-County Chapter
• Charter President of Bridgewater Lions Club, Lions Club International, New Jersey 16-D District
• National Advisor and New Jersey Chairperson, International Leadership Foundation
• Fellow of Leadership New Jersey
• Director of the Board, Leadership Somerset
• Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Somerset County Asian-American Cultural Festival
• Chairman Emeritus of Somerset County Cultural Diversity Coalition
• Steering Committee Member of Somerset County Smart Growth Committee
• Founder and Webmaster of Bridgewater Township Official Website
• I've also served on Bridgewater-Raritan School District Technology Committee, Bridgewater-Raritan School District Budget Committee, Little League baseball, Cub Scouts, etc.

Why did you decide to get into politics? What is your political goal?

I got involved with politics quite accidentally. I started to volunteer and serve in community organizations 15 years ago after I noticed that American society has a very good tradition of volunteerism. I wanted to join the community and follow that inspiring tradition. Plus, I・d like to give back to society, after I fulfilled my ．American Dream・, to thank this country and its people for providing me with all my opportunities. Having served in many community organizations, I eventually got involved with political campaigns, and volunteered in government related projects (for example, I created the first Bridgewater Township official website as a volunteer). My first political appointment was as a member of the Bridgewater Zoning Board of Adjustment, without any compensation. My dedication and contributions won me rave reviews from the community and political field. The Courier News acknowledged my efforts by naming me one of the ：99 People to Watch: The Movers and Shakers of Somerset County.； I consider that my current involvement in politics is actually an extension of my community service efforts.

What are your contributions and achievements as a Councilman?

As a Councilman in Bridgewater, my voting record has consistently proven that I am truly a proponent of low taxes, small government, smart growth, preserving the environment, and reducing waste and bureaucracy. More importantly, I have demonstrated the ability to work with officials of different political party affiliations, views, and ideas in order to achieve these objectives. The fact that I was the top vote-getter three years ago during my re-election was solid proof that 45,000 residents in Bridgewater recognized my contributions and agreed with my way of governing and serving.

Why are you running for Congress?

• I want to serve more people than I am currently able to, and bring about positive changes in our government by helping our country to realize Economic Opportunity, Energy Independence and Government Integrity.
• I want to represent the true beliefs of all Americans and pursue a path towards prosperity and security for our country as well as for the international community.
• There are too many ：politicians； in our government who are either self-serving or actually serving special interest groups. They are totally disconnected from the communities that they should serve. I am a hard-working professional, and I want to be a true representative who is part of the working class and who can really represent the People.

Why do you have to rush to run for Congress this year? We don・t have enough time to help you build support. Why don・t you bid for the next Congressional election in 2010?

There is no better time than right now for me to make a bid for Congress due to an ：open seat； present in the 7th Congressional District. Congressional open seat opportunities are very rare and it may be decades until the next one comes up in this district. As a result, we must use our time and resources effectively and efficiently in order to build our support network and win this election. We must believe that the best candidate will be elected regardless of how much time we have to prepare, and that is the spirit of American politics.

What is an ．open seat・ and why is it important?

According to Wikipedia: ．An election in which no incumbent is running is often called an open seat; because of the lack of incumbency advantage, these are often amongst the most hotly-contested races in any election・. This usually happens when a Congress member decides not to seek re-election or chooses to retire. It is important because it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to challenge an incumbent in Congress (about 95% of Congressional incumbents win re-election to their seats). However, ．open seats・ do not occur often and it is hard to tell when the next opportunity will be.

Why are you running as an independent candidate?

• Both political parties are pushing polarized platforms that do not help to unite the country or solve our problems. I am a moderate candidate who can represent the majority of middle-ground voters and can work with legislators from both parties. My track record shows that I have voted consistently for the people and I am not influenced by partisan politics or special interest groups.
• I want to bring enthusiasm and involvement back to our government. I want to make this a real election for the people, not a rubber stamp election for the major political parties. I want to offer the voters a ：real choice；!
• The 7th Congressional District contains more than half independent-thinking, undeclared voters. Neither major party has control over these voters.
• When I get to Congress, I do not intend to become an ：outsider； with my independent status, but will work closely with legislators from both major parties. I want to be a uniter and bring Congress members from both political parties together to really work ：for the people；, instead of for their parties. This way we can change the partisan deadlock symptoms that have plagued Congress for so many years.
• I can work to bring Economic Opportunity, Energy Independence and Government Ethics to the Unite States Congress without partisan pressures or considerations.

Can an independent candidate win in the 7th Congressional District?

Absolutely! With the right background and experience, an independent candidate has a very good chance of winning. The independent/undeclared voters in this district make up more than half of the total voter population. The two major political parties share the remainder, so neither of them has control over this district. This is the perfect district for an independent candidate to thrive!

What are your chances of winning?

Very good! I think I can get the support of roughly half of the estimated 55% independent voters in the 7th district, which equals about 25% of the total voter population. As a conservative with many supporters from my two previous campaign victories, I can get about 8% from the 23% Republican voters. Due to my very passionate position on environmental protection and my sincere concern for human issues, I should get at least 3% from the 22% Democratic voters in the district. As an Asian-American immigrant, I can secure most of the Asian-American votes from all three aforementioned categories. Add them all together and I should win close to 36% of the votes. In a two-way race, a candidate needs 51% to win, but in a three-way race, 34% is the winning number- and I・ve got that number!

If you are elected, you・ll be one of the very few ．independent Congressmen・ in Congress. How much influence will you have in Congress?

Just as if I were representing either of the two major Parties, I am still one of 435 votes- so how much influence will I have with only one vote? The influence comes not just from my single vote, but from my willpower, charisma, teamwork ability, managerial skills, and negotiating abilities. I have shown that I have more influence than just my one vote on the Bridgewater Council, and I will show that I can have more power than just one vote in Congress, even if I am an independent.

What is your winning strategy?

• Fully explore the power of the E-Campaign, just as the Presidential candidates have been doing so successfully.
• Run a positive and clean campaign by telling voters my accomplishments, track record, political positions and beliefs, and solutions to the burning issues faced by every American, instead of telling them how bad the other candidates are. Voters are tired of the negative campaign strategies used by both political parties.
• Ride the wave that voters nationwide want ．change・ and show voters that I am the ．Real Change in the 7th District・. Looking at me personally, my track record, my position and beliefs, they will realize that I can bring ．Positive Change・ to Congress.

How can we help your campaign?

• Make a contribution (see below for details)
• Raise funds: host a fundraising event at your home or a local restaurant
• Email friends/relatives and encourage them to support the campaign
• Participate in online polls and surveys
• Post blogs on the web
• Gather news, articles, and other campaign information

 

If you live in New Jersey・s 7th Congressional District you can also:

• VOTE for me!
• Host a tea/coffee/breakfast at your home to rally support for me
• Send postcards to friends/relatives and encourage them to vote for me
• Submit a Letter to the Editor of a Local Newspaper describing why you support me

How can we contribute money to your campaign?

• Write a check payable to ．Michael Hsing for Congress・ and mail it to: Michael Hsing for Congress, C/O Adam Gioia, Treasurer,16 Mt. Bethel Rd., Suite 343, Warren, NJ 07059
• Contribute online by going to: www.HsingforCongress.com, click on the CONTRIBUTE button and fill out the form with your credit card information (personal credit card only)

What are the restrictions on contributions to your campaign?

• The maximum contribution is $2300 per person or $4600 per couple
• You must be either a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident (Green Card holder)
• You can only contribute by personal check or personal credit card (no business check or credit card)