Brian Laird on WNYC, it's primary election season in New Jersey.

Early voting is underway.

Primary day itself is next Tuesday. The marquee races are the Democratic and Republican

primaries for U.S. Senate, with Democrat Bob Menendez now on trial himself for alleged corruption

and not running for renomination by his party. As we cover these primaries on the station,

many of you know we had a three candidate Democratic primary debate, moderated by our own Morning Edition host, Michael Hill,

and we've invited the two main Republican candidates to appear on this show, either for a debate

or for individual interviews. One candidate accepted for an interview. One did not. That's Christine Serrano

Glastner, currently the mayor of Mendham. So with me now is Curtis Bashaw, founder and managing

partner of Cape Resorts, a collection of hotels in the Cape May area. Mr. Bashaw, thanks for coming on.

Welcome to WNYC. Thank you, Brian, very much.

Great to be here today. And listeners, we can take a few calls or texts with candidate questions

for Curtis Bashar running in the Republican U.S. Senate primary in New Jersey. First priority will be

for New Jersey Republicans with questions relevant to the Republican primary,

not Democrats who want to challenge him on issues between the party. And listeners, I'm sure

you get it. The context here is a Republican primary. We will invite the winners back for a different

kind of conversation between the parties in the fall. So with any questions relevant

to clarifying the candidate's position or qualifications in this context, the primary

election between Republicans, 212, 433, WNYC, 212, 433-962, 96692, call or text, 212-433-9-692. Call or text. 212, 433-9692. So, Mr. Bashar, I don't see any political or public

affairs experience on your LinkedIn, just business experience. Correct me if I'm missing something,

but why do you want to be in the United States Senate and what makes you qualified?

Well, I think running a business for 35 years is a great qualification, especially in a time where our Congress is struggling to get things done.

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