Former Marine Joins Congressional Race

Marine Corps veteran Jason Castle announced his candidacy for the 5th Congressional District Wednesday, billing himself as a moderate Democrat who would bring change to Washington politics.

In a statement, Castle said the complex challenges facing America “threaten the very soul of our nation.”

“Every day in this bleak economy we all fight to provide for our families. We have all made sacrifices and adjusted expectations,” he said. “Through all of this, politicians in Washington fight the same tired partisan battles rather than working together to put forward the serious reforms needed to pass America through this crisis.”

In a Facebook post, Castle said Congress has become focused on “pet projects” and partisan squabbles. Castle has never served in elected office, the campaign said. 

“We do not have to accept the most cynical beliefs that our government cannot change or adapt. Washington has failed because those in Washington have failed,” his statement said. “They choose to accept personal political gains over our nation’s progress. We must change the culture in Washington in order to change the results.”

Raised by his mother in Rahway, Castle attended private military academy Norwich University in Vermont, his campaign said. Castle put his schooling on hold to join the U.S. Marine Corps after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. He was deployed as part of the Global War on Terrorism and evacuated U.S. nationals from Lebanon.

“I carried out orders at the White House, the Pentagon, honored service members at Arlington National Cemetery and was a member of the distinguished Silent Drill Platoon honoring the President, foreign dignitaries and Heads of State. The highest honor during my tenure in Washington was being one of the select Marines honoring President Reagan during his funeral procession,” Castle wrote on his campaign Facebook page.

He now works with Fortune 1000 companies as an information technology executive.

Castle, who is married to a teacher from Teaneck and has two daughters, will move to the township from Cliffside Park, politickernj.com reported. He plans to hold a campaign kickoff at Sunday afternoon, his campaign said.

and moved into the Republican-leaning 5th, represented by conservative Republican . Three Democrats —, and Diane Sare — have all announced campaigns for the .