the field of US Senate candidates David mentioned got a little more crowded this week after Kate May businessman and real estate developer Curtis Bashaw announced he's launching a campaign for the GOP nomination becoming the second major Republican to formally enter the race bashall is probably best known as the guy who restored historic Congress Hall and the Virginia hotel in Cape May the 63-year-old Camden County native served as the executive director of the casino reinvestment Development Authority under Governor Jim McGreevy he joins Mendham Township mayor Christine Serrano Glassner and at least two other candidates vying for the GOP nomination bashall would be the state's first openly gay US senator if he wins and he joins me now Curtis Bashawwelcome uh to the show so you've had uh some great success in terms of your real estate Endeavors as a businessman why now enter the field of the rough and T humble world of New Jersey politics well that's a great question Briana and thanks for having me on you know I think the people of New Jersey deserve better I I'm definitely a political Outsider uh with a business mind I've been blessed with the opportunity to have grown a business over 35 years in our state and when I look at the dysfunction in our government especially our Congress uh if I had a department that's dysfunctional or unproductive I would sort of take it apart and put it back together our country was founded on principles of self-governance and for someone like me in the later stage of his career I just feel a responsibility to step up and be counted it's interesting because you Echo what I recall hearing from a Republican presidential candidate former president as a political Outsider a businessman who will go in tackle the problems and change them as you would a business where do you stand and where do you see yourself on the political Spectrum you worked uh under Governor McGreevy you call yourself a moderate uh you did not support president Trump uh but in your campaign announcement uh you made it clear that Senator Mike Tesa who is chairing your campaign was the co-chairman for Trump's campaign in 2020 in New Jersey I think we've been trying to label each other as Citizens for too long now and these labels aren't Fair they're not accurate and none of us are one siiz fits all I'm Curtis basaw I've always been me I'm a business person I'm a lifelong Republican I'm a conservative I I I I have lots of opinions about things but I don't believe that it's useful to be constantly dealing in labels where do you stand though within the party you say you're a conservative um as far as uh looking at president presidential candidates other candidates uh would you support president Trump if he were to go on to be the nominee for 2024 I'm running as a Republican and I'm going to support our ticket there's a primary it looks like he's going to be the nominee it's not quite finished but I'm going to be very focused on our Senate race and working hard for all the people of New Jersey let me bring it back home then um in your campaign video you made some made it known really where you stand uh as far as border and immigration where do you see yourself differing on the person who currently holds the seat Senator Menendez who's been a prominent voice on immigration how does your stance differ from his well I think look our border is a humanitarian travesty right now it's a security threat to the country um and I think we have to enforce the laws that we have you know as a business person in Hospitality I have employed hundreds of first generation Americans over the years we're a country of immigrants so I believe strongly that we need a legal safe and robust immigration program but I think that what's happening in Florida right now is a disaster how do you square yourself against uh fellow Republican you made mention Christine Sano Glassner she has already tossed her hat in the ring she is a mayor someone who does not have political experience Why not start at a more local level sort of get your bearings that way before jumping to a Statewide office well that's a great question you know running a business for 35 years gives you a lot of experience but I did did do two services in in in public service one was running the casino reinvestment Development Authority for two years got to know the inside of New Jersey politics reinvest invest in Casino gaming taxes and economic development all over our state I also was on the board of Stockton University so for me it is a natural step as a citizen as an outsider to get involved now when we have folks like Menendez who have embarrassed us with their corruption Curtis Basha is running for the Republican nomination for US SenateCurtis Bashaw looking forward to following your campaign thanks Briana very much