MacArthur better

The race in New Jersey's Third District, covering parts of Burlington and Ocean Counties, has degenerated into a mud bath that fails to mask the fact that neither candidate to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Jon Runyan (R., N.J.) plays on the A-team.

Republicans backed self-funder Tom MacArthur, 54, of Toms River, who has lent $5 million to his campaign. Democrats chose Burlington County Freeholder Aimee Belgard, 40, of Edgewater Park, who does not measure up to the seasoning of the late Rep. John Adler (D., N.J.), Runyan's predecessor. Belgard's power to effectuate her desire to help working families could be hobbled by her overly guarded approach to difficult issues.

MacArthur, a former insurance executive and mayor of the North Jersey town of Randolph, is more conversant on policy and politics. Although he hails from Morris County and has mainly summered in Toms River, he does have more of a connection with Ocean County than the carpetbagger appellation would imply. In his nine years as a part-time resident, he has been involved in the community, particularly in helping his neighbors recover from Superstorm Sandy. And his shift from party-line support for repealing the Affordable Care Act to acknowledging that the law can be improved is somewhat encouraging.

Because he has the skills to be a more effective member of Congress for the Third District - particularly in a Republican Congress - The Inquirer endorses TOM MacARTHUR.