Kevin Dorlon

Kevin Dorlon is a father of 4, husband, son, and successful NJ business owner of 26 years. Kevin was born in Essex County and raised in Morris County, NJ and he is running for the District 7 seat because he loves New Jersey and knows that he can make a difference. As a builder, he is action and results-oriented. He's seasoned at developing relationships, getting people to find common ground, and accomplishing what he sets out to do. His involvement in the community reaches far and wide. He is a youth minister and he travels with teens to Virginia and Puerto Rico on mission trips to build homes for those in need. Kevin received his bachelor's degree in political science in 1994 and has been an avid follower of politics ever since. He finds himself frequently fielding concerns of his friends and neighbors searching for help. In congress, Dorlon intends to bring drive, passion, and love to ensure actual solutions to real issues facing our state and country. New Jersey needs attention and Washington needs an experienced businessman like Kevin that will find a way to be heard and stand up for our community's needs. When asked to speak candidly Dorlon said, “I can no longer sit idly by and watch, while there are so many programs that can positively affect the lives of our people through simple legislation. Something has to change and we need to make that change now!”

• I am not a career politician. The House of Representatives was established to be representative of our citizens. I am a genuine and regular guy who works hard for my family, practices my faith, who loves New Jersey and my country. I want to be a public servant and be the the voice of the 7th district. I plan to listen to your frustrations and needs and not only bring that message to Congress, but find solutions and share with you what is happening in Congress as well.
• Let Freedom Ring. I will work to eliminate government overreach and bring back the freedom to decide what is best for ourselves, our children, and our parents - on all fronts.
• Besides my good looks (you can laugh now), my sense of humor is something that helps me connect with anyone and everyone. I care for people and I help in every way that I can. I want the people around me to be happy. My humor helps me bring people together in order to negotiate advantageous contracts and it allows me to "have fun while getting it all done."

I do not have a personal agenda. I intend to advocate for the people's needs in my district. Several families in my district have already reached out to me with regards to their struggles. Their family members are impacted by special needs or disabilities. To name a few.... autism, depression, anxiety, addiction, visual impairments, and more. Our state needs to do better to help find employment and a purpose for these citizens (who need to feel useful in some way). I now know that New Jersey has over 1.6 million people in our state who have disabilities! And while the state legislature has made headway in writing legislation to assist these individuals, we are being overlooked in Congress on these issues and we are not getting the funding necessary to make a difference. New Jersey can do better and a big voice like mine in Washington can make this happen. I do plan to write legislation for individuals with disabilities and special needs to support this need.

I don't necessarily look up to one person in particular. The people I look up to are the people who do the right thing for perfect strangers. The people I look up to do, what might seam to be, insignificant random acts of kindness throughout their days. Lending hope and a kind word to passers by. Volunteering at events for people less fortunate than themselves. Helping someone to their car with heavy groceries or a simple reach for a hand in need. These are the people I look up to because the impact on a life otherwise untouched, can make that persons life worth living.

The qualities I hold that I believe will make me a successful Congressman include my passion for making a difference. As a builder and business owner of 27 years, I surround myself with professionals who execute their trades effectively. In business, I am well versed in communicating with other professionals and clients, negotiating contracts and completing projects on time and under budget. My entire job is performance based. I make things happen. Too often, career politicians rely on talking, talking, talking......... and nothing gets done.

I am the guy who makes things happen and as your Representative, I will press on until results are realized.

My legacy is simple.

I have raised 4 wonderful children who are viable active assets to society. Of my four children, 3 are adults. My oldest is 24 and she is a Licenced Occupational Therapist - married and recently purchased a home. My second daughter is a graduate from Seton Hall University with a Bachelors degree in Biology. She is engaged to be married and is continuing her education to be a biology teacher at our local high school. My older son is finishing his degree at Rowan University. He runs a business and maintains his status on the honor roll in completing his degree. My youngest boy is a sports lover. Although he is an advanced Jujitsu student, he is a kind and gentle soul who stands up for weaker kids in his class. He is polite and thoughtful and in summary, my legacy will live on forever in my children.

21 years ago, on September 11'th. 2001, Our country changed forever. The attacks on the world trade center began as and remains the worst attack on AAmerican soil in generations and generations. Out of the ash and rubble however grew a pure and unyielding sense of unity. Our country was one. Neighbors, friends and strangers were united. Our resilience in the face of tragedy was chilling. Perfect strangers of all race, color religion and background held each other in the streets. This terrible day in history will always remain a mind altering experience because the life lost and the destruction realized, somehow brought this country together as one.

My very first job was working for a builder. He was tough but fair and taught me the value of hard work. While pursuing and achieving my degree in Political Science, I maintained that work ethic and held jobs in every trade until I became proficient in every trade. Today, as a builder/contractor/developer for the past 27 years, I look back fondly at that time in my life. It was a great time to live in NJ and I believe we can bring back a proper work ethic to our young people of NJ, with the proper guidance and value building encouragement.

The qualities of the US House of Representatives are unique because the institution was designed for proper representation across the entire country. We do not live in a one size fits all world. Knowing that, our representation has been given a voice to be truly representative of our country. The voices we all listen to come from each part of our country. When those voices comes together, a beautiful universal concert of wonderful ideas can become one. This concert of multiple voices with different needs and concerns (yet a common goal of prosperity, peace and love) comes together to form the most perfect union in the world.

No, I do not believe that previous experience in government is necessary in order to provide proper representation. The House of Representatives, is exactly that. A House of Representatives. As some would say "warts and all". This basic and simple idea of the House of Representatives thrives because it is to be unencumbered by political fluff. It is meant to be a pure and simple accurate cross section of the people. It is the textbook definition of pure representation. We the people...... we the people decide collectively who we choose to represent us. We select that person based on values, morals, and the ability to stand up, speak loud and clear and be our voice.

We have many challenges today and as time goes on they will likely change and grow. A couple things that we need to support and address are rebuilding our future generations, and holding people and the national media accountable for their "news" reporting. For too long now, our children have been coddled and handed everything under the sun. We need to get back to the basics. Hard work is needed in order to build character. Hard work is needed to build strength. Hard work is needed to build appreciation and drive and motivation. Without it, if the comforts of the world are simply handed to generations to come, our innovation, drive and strength will be lost. We also need to find vehicles of information delivery that are reliable and real. There has to be someplace to go where you do not get opinions and embellished news. People do not know what they can believe and therefore our trust in our country and our world is being diminished. This lack of trust and the lack of ability to obtain reliable factual information impacts the mental health and strength of our people as well.

Based on the concerns and needs for my district I will welcome the opportunity to serve on committees that will support the community's wants and hopes in my district.

I don't believe that two years is the right term length for representatives. I believe 4-6 years is an appropriate length of time to learn the ins and outs of the job and the responsibilities. It also allows time to properly network and build relationships with fellow representatives that will enhance the legislation negotiations and results. Two year terms require candidates to run an election for 6 months out of the term. This takes away time and energies that they can be using to fight for change and progress in their district.

I believe term limits are necessary. A newly elected official should be afforded time to learn, build their network and identify their resources. Once elected that person should function freely in the position for a certain number of years, and then move on. Term limits prevent a system of career politics and politicians who begin to loose touch with the state/country they represent.

There are several Representatives I would model myself after. Trey Gowdy, Matt Gaetz, Jim Jordan, spring to mind as well as Jason Chaffetz. Each of these men have proven to be intelligent, well spoken and perhaps most importantly, outspoken. I will not be quiet and sit on the sidelines while issues facing my constituents move on. There comes a time in every man's life when he must speak up. Regardless of the consequences, regardless of the fall-out, what's right is always right, and what's wrong is always wrong.

I believe that compromise is necessary for policy making, desirable, no, but necessary, yes. There used to be a time when both Democrats and Republicans could have spirited debate. From that debate they could draw all the positive attributes of an idea, and those collective attributes would be used to form a beneficial master plan that they could both get behind. Ideas were not stricken down entirely based on party lines. Representatives could see the common goal of creating a solution for the people, for ALL the people. Today, that fabric of our country is jaded. Party lines are written in stone and rather than coming together for the common good of the people, we have become a country of "maiming the other side's objective to insure power for my own." It's a sad truth and it needs to change.