Run Tiger: These Princetonians Are on the Ballot in November

Headshots of Herb Conaway ’85, Ted Cruz ’92, Vince Fong ’03, Glenn Ivey ’83, Raja Krishnamoorthi ’95, Joe Salerno ’84, Terri Sewell ’86, and George Whitesides ’96

From top left, Herb Conaway ’85, Ted Cruz ’92, Vince Fong ’03, Glenn Ivey ’83, Raja Krishnamoorthi ’95, Joe Salerno ’84, Terri Sewell ’86, and George Whitesides ’96

Courtesy of subjects’ campaigns

Hope Perry
By Hope Perry ’24

Published Sept. 24, 2024

1 min read

Princetonians who are running for federal office in November:

Herb Conaway ’85, Democrat

Running for Congress in New Jersey’s 3rd Congressional District, which is currently represented by Congressman Andy Kim. Conaway majored in politics at Princeton and wrote his thesis about Black political strategy. After Princeton, he went to medical school, practicing internal medicine even after being elected to the New Jersey State Legislature.

Ted Cruz ’92, Republican

Running for reelection in Texas. The border state Republican has been consistently criticized for his refusal to certify the 2020 election results and for social media posts that have been called racist.

Related coverage

Vince Fong *03, Republican

Running for reelection in California’s 20th Congressional District, which includes Bakersfield. He was first elected in a special election to replace former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy. He’s an alumnus of the master’s program in the School of Public and International Affairs.

Glenn Ivey ’83, Democrat

Running for reelection in Maryland’s 4th Congressional District, which includes Prince George’s County, a suburb of Washington, D.C.

Raja Krishnamoorthi ’95, Democrat

Running for reelection in Illinois’ 8th Congressional District, which includes the Chicago suburbs of Rosemont and Elgin. He majored in mechanical and aerospace engineering while at Princeton.

Joe Salerno ’84, Democrat

Running as a Democrat for Congress against Republican incumbent Jeff Van Drew in New Jersey’s 2nd Congressional District, which includes Atlantic City. Salerno majored in mechanical and aerospace engineering while at Princeton.

Terri Sewell ’86, Democrat

Running for reelection in Alabama’s 7th Congressional District, which includes Birmingham, Montgomery, Selma, and Tuscaloosa. Sewell was the Class Day speaker for the Class of 2023.

George Whitesides ’96, Democrat

Whitesides, a former CEO of Virgin Galactic and onetime chief of staff at NASA, is running in California’s 27th Congressional District, north of Los Angeles, against incumbent Rep. Mike Garcia. 

6 Responses

Colby McArthur ’24

1 Month Ago

Looking for Balance, Fairness

As a new reader of PAW, I very much enjoyed the coverage of election related news. However, I was surprised to see the difference in the description of Ted Cruz ’92 and other alums (“Election Day,” October issue).

I’m no fan of Cruz and agree that a mention of his controversies is appropriate. However, spending the entire blurb talking about them and failing to mention that he is running for Senate (every other candidate had their race named) nor anything about his connection with Princeton (as most of the other candidates have) seems a bit unfair to him. I hope PAW’s coverage can be more balanced going forward.

Robert C. Lang Jr. ’70

1 Month Ago

Princetonians in Federal Elections

Why am I not surprised that there are more Princeton Democrats running for federal office than Princeton Republicans (6 to 2, per the article above)? One can only hope and pray that the electorate has more sense than Princeton grads have.

Richard Golden ’91

1 Month Ago

Why Is Cruz Covered Differently?

Even if I lived in Texas, I would be unlikely to vote for Ted Cruz ’92. Yet it was blatantly obvious that Cruz was the only candidate whose profile took note of his policy positions. 

A simple description of the race they’re in, professional background, and Princeton major was sufficient for the other candidates. Why not Cruz?

Princeton Alumni Weekly

2 Months Ago

For the Record

An earlier version of this story omitted congressional candidate George Whitesides ’96.

Richard Bramhall ’69

2 Months Ago

Skewing the Political Narrative

Less than subtle skewing of the narrative in this article: objective reporting of factual data on seven of our alumni; selective emphasis on criticisms of the most visible candidate. PAW can do better.

Robert Hills ’67

2 Months Ago

Cruz Description Is Accurate

The description of Sen. Cruz is accurate. It’s selective only in that it reflects two of the things that a great university must stand for, calling out lies in the public discourse and a rejection of racism. If, however, Sen. Cruz were noteworthy for his leadership and positive contribution “in the nation’s service,” such as fighting for universal education, health care, or a reduction in inequality, then I agree, that should have been included. Unfortunately, he is not.

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