Senior Operations Manager for Butler/Wilson Dining Services Donald DeZarn has announced that he will run as the Libertarian candidate in Novembers election for state senator of the 14th Legislative District of New Jersey. While his platform includes advocacy for small businesses and free enterprise, he said he also hopes to initiate a dialogue on what he calls sensitive issues by openly supporting gay marriage and the legalization of marijuana.

Because the New Jersey Libertarian Party does not conduct a primary election, DeZarn will automatically be nominated at a statewide Libertarian convention on March 16. He will run against the incumbent Democratic Senator Linda Greenstein. The Republican Party has not yet announced any candidates.

The 2013 run for state senator will be DeZarns first political campaign. He has been employed by Dining Services for the past 17 years, although he took a yearlong military leave in 2005 to serve in the Iraq War.

DeZarn became interested in pursuing a political campaign after waking up one morning and asking himself, What happened to my country that I love? DeZarn explained that he was inspired to run for office after hearing about the financial struggles of both his neighbors in East Windsor and his colleagues in Dining Services. He added that he believes that both Democrats and Republicans today are limiting the free enterprise system.

It makes me sick to see our state give out subsidies while the mom-and-pop private businesses dont get that even playing field, he said. No one really has a plan to get us out of this mess.

DeZarn said that in addition to minimizing government regulation of small businesses, he intends to start a movement by generating conversations about marijuana legalization and the rights of gay men and women.

There are politicians in Trenton who agree with me on these issues, but theyre not willing to be the first to stand up for them for political reasons, DeZarn explained. But Im not a politician, so I have nothing to lose.

In particular, DeZarn noted that he believes that marijuana could benefit many patients. He said that elderly individuals with chronic ailments should be able to access the drug.

DeZarn added that marijuana prohibition laws are racist, as he believes certain groups in the population are targeted more heavily than others.

Its not only young black males that use marijuana, he said.

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Dining hall manager DeZarn announces Libertarian candidacy for 14th district state senator