Dublin People - Southsider to run alongside McCain in US elections

Home

News

Sport

Southsider to run alongside McCain in US elections

Wednesday, 23 July 2008

A former Southsider is running alongside party colleague and US presidential candidate John McCain in the local elections in the state of New Jersey later this year.
Paul Duggan (54) who is originally from Mount Merrion has already won the Republican primary in Bergen County New Jersey to become one of the party’s candidates for the local legislature.
Mr Duggan, who left Dublin during the bleak economic period of the late 1980s for better prospects in the US, hopes to break the Democratic Party’s stranglehold on the Bergen County executive where they currently occupy all of the seven seats on the Board of Chosen Freeholders in the jurisdiction.
New Jersey's system of naming county legislators “freeholders” is unique in the United States. The origins of the term is enshrined in the New Jersey State Constitution of 1776.
Mr Duggan said that a freeholder would have more responsibility than an Irish county councillor, pointing out that Bergen County has a population of almost one million people.
He added that freeholders are responsible for an annual county budget of nearly half a billion dollars.
He became involved in politics almost immediately after his arrival in the US and hasn’t looked back since.
“I got into politics in the US the minute I hit the ground,” he said. “Basically politics over there is a full contact sport and is better than any kind of football or hurling match here.”
He added: “One of the other reasons I am running for the Republican Party this year is to try and restore the balance of power in Bergen County and to restore checks and balances in county government.”
He said he would consider running in the New Jersey State Senate elections at some point in the future and added that the freeholder elections were a stepping stone to this higher office.
He has also spoken of his confidence in the ability of US presidential Republican Party candidate and Vietnam war veteran, John McCain, to win the election in November this year.
“We have a good chance this year with John McCain, who is a centrist and has a great appeal with independents,” he declared. “This year we have gas approaching nearly five dollars a gallon and this in a place where we have to travel distances that we cannot really compare to in Ireland.”
Mr Duggan said he is taking a stance on US immigration that is different to most other politicians. He believes that all Irish people should automatically qualify for US citizenship.
“I think the Irish should get preference because of our historical and emotional links to America,” he said. “I think that every Irish citizen should be a honourary American anyway because the Irish signed the declaration of Independence, we have fought in every world war and we built the US.”
He added that in New Jersey, like in all other US states, immigration is an important issue. The state spends some $1.89 billion a year in services for illegal aliens.
Bergen County ranks as the 21st among the highest-income counties in the United States and is 18th in the country in terms of personal per-capita income.

Ballyboden complete memorable double

Thursday, 04 December 2008

Mearnog/Syl’s required a win to hold onto their Division 1 League title, while Ballyboden needed a draw to return home with the trophy. A thrilling contest was anticipated, with both teams...
+ Full Story

Council appoints rugby officer

Thursday, 04 December 2008

Christian Stemmet, a native of South Africa, brings eight years’ grassroots level experience to the position, combining an extensive background in rugby with top level coaching...
+ Full Story

Southsiders inducted into Hall of Fame

Thursday, 04 December 2008

Sensei Dan Donohue, President of the Irish Wado Ryu Federation in Crumlin, and Sensei John Ward President of Ward Kenpo Schools Ireland in Walkinstown, received the awards. Professor Martin Carey...
+ Full Story

Windsurfer prepares for championships

Thursday, 27 November 2008

John Kenny, from Lucan, who recently won the National Speed Sailing Championships at the same venue, will line up against world number one, Cyril Moussilmani (France), Ben van der Steen...
+ Full Story