In 24th District, a Democrat tries yet again

The GOP is double-teaming the Democrats in the 24th Legislative District spanning the northwest corner of New Jersey.

Make that Democrat -- singular.

Only one challenger is running against the well-entrenched Republican incumbents, Assemblywoman Alison Littell McHose and Assemblyman Gary Chiusano, for the district's two seats.

And lonely Democrat Frederick Katz has been down this weary road before, having lost "six or seven times" -- even he has lost count -- in bids to wrest a district Assembly or Senate seat from the Republicans who rule the roost.

Katz well knows that he's a Democratic lamb in a den of GOP lions.

"I know I'm probably not going to win," he said.

So why do it -- again and again?

"First of all, I enjoy it," said Katz, 68, who's retired but still working as a home inspector for real estate transactions.

And there is an element of principle behind his futile attempts.

"I don't believe there should be an empty ballot, whether you win or lose," he said.

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