Chris Myers (New Jersey)
Encyclopedia
Chris Myers is an American business executive and politician, currently serving as Mayor in Medford, New Jersey. He was the unsuccessful Republican
nominee for New Jersey's 3rd congressional district
, a seat which was open due to the retirement of incumbent Jim Saxton
, in 2008.
, where he attended public schools and graduated from Shawnee High School. He graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder
with a Bachelor's degree
in political science
and subsequently earned a Master’s degree in public administration from Cornell University
.
He currently resides in his hometown of Medford with his wife of 15 years, Tiffany, and his two young children. In October 2011, a male escort
from California publicly alleged that Myers had paid him for sex, an allegation which Myers vehemently denies.
, served as the Combat Information Center (CIC) officer, anti-air warfare officer, and operations officer on the Navy’s first forward deployed Aegis-equipped cruiser, USS Bunker Hill
. In this position, Chris directed the actions of four aircraft carriers and hundreds of land and sea-based aircraft, as well as missile ships from U.S. and allied nations. After leaving USS Bunker Hill, he served as the joint air defense officer for the combined U.S. and NATO Staff of Commander, Second Fleet and Commander Striking Fleet Atlantic aboard the flagship USS Mount Whitney. In this capacity, Myers designed and coordinated Air Defense and Tomahawk plans for exercise and real world operations. His military decorations include a Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (with Combat V), several Navy Achievement Medals, Combat Action Ribbon and Liberation of Kuwait Medal.
and became a program manager in the Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program Office at NE&SS-Surface Systems. He led the High Range Resolution Program, which consisted of a series of radar enhancements and at-sea tests to support Navy BMD efforts. He was promoted to "Director, Missile Defense and Radar Programs," overseeing Lockheed Martin’s radar business and role in BMD domestically and internationally.
Ultimately, he was promoted to "Vice President, Business Development." In this capacity, he is responsible for new business acquisition, technology research and development for MS2. Myers has also been also "Vice President, Advanced Programs," and "Vice President, Sea-based Missile Defense." Myers is currently spearheading the solar energy projects at Lockheed Martin.
and deputy mayor
from its members. Myers was selected as mayor in 2003, 2008. and 2011. As councilman and mayor, Myers' chief goals have been stabilization of property taxes and preservation of open space. Myers won re-election in November 2009, along with fellow council members Joe Lynn and Dave Brown.
Myers is a vocal opponent the Affordable Housing
Mandate bill in New Jersey. Myers opposes the bill as a result of its inclusion of a section that creates government imposition of fees on non-residential development in order to build an affordable housing fund. He argues that this concept will be bad for taxpayers and will also destroy the preservation of environmental open space
Myers is pro-life
.
Myers supports expanding child health coverage through SCHIP. He had been an outspoken critic against President George W. Bush's veto of the expansion of SCHIP in 2008.
.
Freeholder
John P. Kelly
and former Tabernacle Township
Committeeman Justin Murphy. The campaign in the Republican primary
included disputes over taxes. Myers criticized Kelly for having voted to raise Ocean County's spending and taxes. Kelly responded that Myers's attack was hypocritical in light of the 50% increase in Medford's spending during Myers's term on the township's committee. Kelly also charged that Myers's lobbying for the defense industry created a conflict of interest.
Myers won the primary with 49% of the vote to Kelly’s 26% and Murphy’s 25%.
Kelly endorsed Myers after the primary, offering his "full support" and any help he could give.
opponent is State Senator John Adler
, who ran unopposed for his party's nomination. The only independent candidate in the race is Edward Forchion
, who will be running under the "Legalize Marijuana (G.R.I.P.)" Party slogan.
Much of Myers' campaign has focused on painting himself as a Washington and Trenton outsider and portraying his opponent as a career Trenton politician who favors higher taxes and more government spending.
On July 2, Myers announced he would be taking a leave of absence from his job as a Vice President at Lockheed Martin to focus on the remainder of his Congressional campaign.
After being endorsed in January 2008 by the 3rd congressional district's retiring Congressman, Jim Saxton, several organizations have also given him their support, including Vets for Freedom
,
National Vietnam and Gulf War Veterans Coalition,
Veterans for Victory,
the National Federation of Independent Businesses,
the National Rifle Association
(receiving a grade of A-),
Wake Up America,
and Free and Strong America PAC.
Most newspapers favored Adler over Myers. The Press of Atlantic City
,
Philadelphia Inquirer,
the Courier-Post,
The Burlington County Times
,
and The New York Times
,
all gave their endorsement to Adler, often citing his economic policies as their reason for endorsing him. Myers did, however, receive the endorsement of the Asbury Park Press
on the basis that he is an outsider and not a career politician
Myers faced a 10–1 funding gap against Adler, having spent a majority of his early warchest on an expensive primary battle against Kelly and Murphy.
Mayor Chris Myers vehemently denies the accusation.
However, in an interview with the The Courier Post newspaper Thursday Oct. 27, 2011, he said that he would not resign as Meford's Mayor, but he didn’t deny allegations made on an anonymous website that he paid for gay sex while visiting California last October. Also, when asked by the Courier Post if he was "gay or bisexual", Myers replied “I’m not commenting on my personal life.”
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
nominee for New Jersey's 3rd congressional district
New Jersey's 3rd congressional district
New Jersey's Third Congressional District is currently represented by Republican Jon Runyan. It is a swing district, with a Cook Partisan Voting Index of R+1. Former NFL player Republican Jon Runyan defeated John Adler in the 2010 House elections...
, a seat which was open due to the retirement of incumbent Jim Saxton
Jim Saxton
Hugh James "Jim" Saxton is an American Republican Party politician. He was a member of the United States House of Representatives. He represented from 1984 to 1993. From 1993 to 2009, he represented .-Life:...
, in 2008.
Biography
Myers was raised in Medford Township in southern New JerseyNew Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, where he attended public schools and graduated from Shawnee High School. He graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder
University of Colorado at Boulder
The University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university located in Boulder, Colorado...
with a Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
and subsequently earned a Master’s degree in public administration from Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
.
He currently resides in his hometown of Medford with his wife of 15 years, Tiffany, and his two young children. In October 2011, a male escort
Male prostitution
Male prostitution is the practice of engaging in sexual acts for money. Compared to female sex workers, male sex workers have been far less studied by researchers, and while studies suggest that there are differences between the ways these two groups look at their work, more research is needed.Male...
from California publicly alleged that Myers had paid him for sex, an allegation which Myers vehemently denies.
Military experience
Myers, a decorated combat veteran of the Persian Gulf WarGulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
, served as the Combat Information Center (CIC) officer, anti-air warfare officer, and operations officer on the Navy’s first forward deployed Aegis-equipped cruiser, USS Bunker Hill
USS Bunker Hill
Three ships of the United States Navy have been named Bunker Hill, in remembrance of the Battle of Bunker Hill during the American Revolutionary War.*The , was a coastal steamer converted to a minelayer and renamed Aroostook in 1917....
. In this position, Chris directed the actions of four aircraft carriers and hundreds of land and sea-based aircraft, as well as missile ships from U.S. and allied nations. After leaving USS Bunker Hill, he served as the joint air defense officer for the combined U.S. and NATO Staff of Commander, Second Fleet and Commander Striking Fleet Atlantic aboard the flagship USS Mount Whitney. In this capacity, Myers designed and coordinated Air Defense and Tomahawk plans for exercise and real world operations. His military decorations include a Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (with Combat V), several Navy Achievement Medals, Combat Action Ribbon and Liberation of Kuwait Medal.
Professional career
Upon leaving the Navy, Myers joined Lockheed MartinLockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is an American global aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technology company with worldwide interests. It was formed by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta in March 1995. It is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, in the Washington Metropolitan Area....
and became a program manager in the Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program Office at NE&SS-Surface Systems. He led the High Range Resolution Program, which consisted of a series of radar enhancements and at-sea tests to support Navy BMD efforts. He was promoted to "Director, Missile Defense and Radar Programs," overseeing Lockheed Martin’s radar business and role in BMD domestically and internationally.
Ultimately, he was promoted to "Vice President, Business Development." In this capacity, he is responsible for new business acquisition, technology research and development for MS2. Myers has also been also "Vice President, Advanced Programs," and "Vice President, Sea-based Missile Defense." Myers is currently spearheading the solar energy projects at Lockheed Martin.
Political career
Myers was elected to a four-year term on the Medford Township Council in 2001, and he was re-elected in 2005. After each election, the Township Council selects a mayorMayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
and deputy mayor
Deputy Mayor
Deputy mayor is an elective or appointive office of the second-ranking official in many local governments. Many elected deputy mayors are members of the city council who are given the title and serve as acting mayor in the mayor's absence...
from its members. Myers was selected as mayor in 2003, 2008. and 2011. As councilman and mayor, Myers' chief goals have been stabilization of property taxes and preservation of open space. Myers won re-election in November 2009, along with fellow council members Joe Lynn and Dave Brown.
Positions on issues
Myers calls himself a "Jim Saxton Republican", "a conservative on taxes and spending, a supporter of the environment and a friend of working men and women."Myers is a vocal opponent the Affordable Housing
Affordable housing
Affordable housing is a term used to describe dwelling units whose total housing costs are deemed "affordable" to those that have a median income. Although the term is often applied to rental housing that is within the financial means of those in the lower income ranges of a geographical area, the...
Mandate bill in New Jersey. Myers opposes the bill as a result of its inclusion of a section that creates government imposition of fees on non-residential development in order to build an affordable housing fund. He argues that this concept will be bad for taxpayers and will also destroy the preservation of environmental open space
Myers is pro-life
Pro-life
Opposition to the legalization of abortion is centered around the pro-life, or anti-abortion, movement, a social and political movement opposing elective abortion on moral grounds and supporting its legal prohibition or restriction...
.
Myers supports expanding child health coverage through SCHIP. He had been an outspoken critic against President George W. Bush's veto of the expansion of SCHIP in 2008.
2008 Congressional campaign
Myers announced his bid for Congress in January 2008, receiving the endorsement and support of the retiring incumbent Jim SaxtonJim Saxton
Hugh James "Jim" Saxton is an American Republican Party politician. He was a member of the United States House of Representatives. He represented from 1984 to 1993. From 1993 to 2009, he represented .-Life:...
.
Primary
Other candidates for the Republican nomination included Ocean CountyOcean County, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 510,916 people, 200,402 households, and 137,876 families residing in the county. The population density was 803 people per square mile . There were 248,711 housing units at an average density of 151/km²...
Freeholder
Board of Chosen Freeholders
In New Jersey, the Boards of Chosen Freeholders are the county legislatures in each of that state's 21 counties.- Origin :New Jersey's system of naming county legislators "freeholders" is unique in the United States...
John P. Kelly
John P. Kelly (New Jersey)
John P. Kelly is an American Republican Party politician who serves on the Board of Chosen Freeholders in Ocean County, New Jersey. Kelly has been in various county government positions for more than 13 years and in municipal offices in his home town of Eagleswood Township for more than 15.Kelly...
and former Tabernacle Township
Tabernacle Township, New Jersey
Tabernacle Township is a Township in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 7,170....
Committeeman Justin Murphy. The campaign in the Republican primary
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
included disputes over taxes. Myers criticized Kelly for having voted to raise Ocean County's spending and taxes. Kelly responded that Myers's attack was hypocritical in light of the 50% increase in Medford's spending during Myers's term on the township's committee. Kelly also charged that Myers's lobbying for the defense industry created a conflict of interest.
Myers won the primary with 49% of the vote to Kelly’s 26% and Murphy’s 25%.
Kelly endorsed Myers after the primary, offering his "full support" and any help he could give.
General election
Myers' DemocraticDemocratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
opponent is State Senator John Adler
John Adler
John Herbert Adler was a U.S. Representative for , serving from 2009 until 2011. He was a member of the Democratic Party. He was formerly a member of the New Jersey Senate from 1992 to 2009, where he represented the 6th Legislative District. The district stretches from the suburbs of Philadelphia...
, who ran unopposed for his party's nomination. The only independent candidate in the race is Edward Forchion
Edward Forchion
Robert Edward Forchion, born July 23, 1964, and also known as NJWEEDMAN, is a cannabis activist and a perennial candidate for various New Jersey elected offices. He is a resident of the Browns Mills section of Pemberton Township, New Jersey....
, who will be running under the "Legalize Marijuana (G.R.I.P.)" Party slogan.
Much of Myers' campaign has focused on painting himself as a Washington and Trenton outsider and portraying his opponent as a career Trenton politician who favors higher taxes and more government spending.
On July 2, Myers announced he would be taking a leave of absence from his job as a Vice President at Lockheed Martin to focus on the remainder of his Congressional campaign.
After being endorsed in January 2008 by the 3rd congressional district's retiring Congressman, Jim Saxton, several organizations have also given him their support, including Vets for Freedom
Vets For Freedom
Vets For Freedom is an American political advocacy organization founded in 2006 by veterans of the Iraq and Afghan wars. Its stated purpose is advocacy of victory in America's ongoing War on Terrorism, and support of candidates with positions consistent with this goal. Vets For Freedom is a...
,
National Vietnam and Gulf War Veterans Coalition,
Veterans for Victory,
the National Federation of Independent Businesses,
the National Rifle Association
National Rifle Association
The National Rifle Association of America is an American non-profit 501 civil rights organization which advocates for the protection of the Second Amendment of the United States Bill of Rights and the promotion of firearm ownership rights as well as marksmanship, firearm safety, and the protection...
(receiving a grade of A-),
Wake Up America,
and Free and Strong America PAC.
Most newspapers favored Adler over Myers. The Press of Atlantic City
The Press of Atlantic City
The Press of Atlantic City is a daily newspaper based in Pleasantville, New Jersey. It is the primary newspaper for most of southeastern New Jersey and the Jersey Shore, publishing regional editions for Atlantic County, Cumberland County, Cape May County, and southern Ocean County...
,
Philadelphia Inquirer,
the Courier-Post,
The Burlington County Times
Burlington County Times
The Burlington County Times is a daily newspaper located in Willingboro Township, New Jersey, USA. The Times is owned by Calkins Media....
,
and The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
,
all gave their endorsement to Adler, often citing his economic policies as their reason for endorsing him. Myers did, however, receive the endorsement of the Asbury Park Press
Asbury Park Press
The Asbury Park Press is a daily newspaper in Monmouth and Ocean counties of New Jersey and has the third largest circulation in the state...
on the basis that he is an outsider and not a career politician
Myers faced a 10–1 funding gap against Adler, having spent a majority of his early warchest on an expensive primary battle against Kelly and Murphy.
Election results
On November 4, 2008, after polls closed, the 3rd district race was the last one to be called in New Jersey. With 100% of precincts reporting, Myers lost narrowly to Adler, with 48.4% to his 51.6%.Sex Scandal
On October 22, 2011, a California man alleged on a website that he was promised a car and other gifts following a paid sexual encounter with Mayor Myers.Mayor Chris Myers vehemently denies the accusation.
However, in an interview with the The Courier Post newspaper Thursday Oct. 27, 2011, he said that he would not resign as Meford's Mayor, but he didn’t deny allegations made on an anonymous website that he paid for gay sex while visiting California last October. Also, when asked by the Courier Post if he was "gay or bisexual", Myers replied “I’m not commenting on my personal life.”
External links
- Chris Myers for Congress Official Campaign site