Sabrin Makes Campaign Stop at Ramapo College

Dr. Murray Sabrin, professor of finance at Ramapo, addressed students, staff and faculty on Tuesday as part of his campaign for the Republican nomination to challenge U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D) for the New Jersey U.S. Senate in November. 

"I believe I am on the right side of all these issues," said Sabrin. "I believe I will do what's necessary in Washington having a platform to present the case for limited government, which is what the founders gave us as a legacy for governing ourselves, and that if we don't do so, all our freedoms that we currently have will be chipped away."

This is not Sabrin's first time running for the New Jersey U.S. Senate seat. He ran for the position in both 2000 and 2008, but was unsuccessful. However, this year's race presented an opportunity that previous races had not because no New Jersey legislature members stepped forward to run.

"Since nobody stepped up to the plate, I said here is an opening where there's a field of unknown candidates," said Sabrin. "I'm the best known in the field according to the polls, plus I have a 45-year track record of supporting the principles of the Republican party."

The principles Sabrin refers to are the basis of his campaign: free enterprise, limited government and civil liberties, principles he feels the government is not currently upholding.

"Most of what government does is counterproductive to its goals," said Sabrin. "The first thing we want to do is cut corporate taxes and cut personal income taxes because you guys are sitting with a debt burden you don't even know you had."

His talk was often focused around government spending, and the disparity between our current budget and what he felt the U.S. Constitution's intentions were as far as government spending is concerned.

"There's nothing about healthcare, there's nothing about housing, there's nothing about energy, there's nothing about education, there's nothing about retirement benefits, there's nothing about all the things the federal government spends money on," Sabrin said. "There is a gap between the constitutional budget… and the actual budget. I will not vote for a budget that increases the previous year's budget."

All of his principles were derived from the belief in a limited government, and the problems that arise when the federal government becomes too involved.

"The Federal Reserve creates inflation…Right now what the Federal Reserve has done, believe it or not, is given us three bubbles simultaneously," he said. "You have the stock market bubble, the housing bubble… and the bond bubble. When all those bubbles burst, it can be very problematic for the U.S. economy."

He also discussed civil liberties, again referencing the U.S. Constitution.

"The Bill of Rights tells us what our rights are. Not given to us by government, but recognized by the government," said Sabrin. "The federal government has been systematically violating our rights."

President of the College Republicans, Chris Gabbett, held many of the same beliefs that Sabrin discussed during his talk with Ramapo students staff and faculty.

"I do have a lot of respect for Murray and his beliefs are very good. I do believe a lot of them," he said. 

Sabrin cited his experiences to back up his beliefs, including his education in economics and finance, and his hands-on experience in business. He recently became co-owner of a Ridgewood-based business.

"I have more business experience than most people that run for this office, so think I am the most qualified person not only running now, but probably has ever run for this office in my lifetime," said Sabrin.

However, Sabrin did not limit the conversation to himself. He took note to mention the other candidates vying for the GOP nomination, including Brian D. Goldberg, who visited Ramapo the week before.

"One of my opponents, who was here last week, he was on the campaign trail and is talking 'happy talk' about how wonderful it is to be a Republican. Well, it's nice to be a Republican, but that is not the issue," Sabrin said. "The issue is: what is wrong with the country, and how do we fix it?"

Sabrin assured the audience that his campaign contains no "happy talk."

"I don't have a bumper sticker slogan," said Sabrin. "I have solutions based on economics and finance."

cmitche3@ramapo.edu