Rep. Frank LoBiondo watches South Jersey issue in Washington
Profiles on the Potomac
Bob Braun has continued his series of profiles on the Potomac. On October 9, 2009, he did a profile of Congressman Frank LoBiondo – Rep. Frank LoBiondo watches South Jersey issue in Washington. Click here to read the full article.
The eight-term Republican who represents the 2nd District, the southernmost and geographically largest of New Jersey’s congressional districts. Largest, because it is the most rural and scarcely populated, 700,000 people in a third of the state’s land, surrounded on three sides by bay and ocean. Hit hard by the recession which, for many in South Jersey, was a worsening of hard times that began decades ago with the closing of glass container factories that provided good jobs and supported small businesses – including farms and the LoBiondo family trucking firm.
“Our unemployment rate is always about three points higher than the state’s,” he says. “Our people are hurting and Trenton doesn’t pay a lot of attention.”
So, LoBiondo pays attention. While many lawmakers develop specialties that may have little to do with their home districts, his specialty is his district.
“I try to stay grounded at home,” says the grandson of Sicilian immigrants.
Although Congressman LoBiondo did not attend the 3rd Annual Congressional Reception, Sally Vernon, a constituent, explained the importance of his support for ending homelessness in his district. Hopefully, this will encourage Congressman LoBiondo to remember that homelessness is a rapidly growing crisis in his district.
