Peter Jacob
Peter Jacob (born in Kerala, India circa 1986) is the 2016 Democratic Party candidate in New Jersey's 7th congressional district running against Leonard Lance. Jacob, a resident of Union, worked as a Licensed Social Worker until he began campaigning full-time.
Education
Jacob received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Kean University and a Master of Social Work from the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at the Washington University in St. Louis. Jacob's time studying was accompanied with working with the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women, the YWCA and the International Institute.
Social work
Jacob began his professional career as a social worker after attaining his master's degree. Jacob's service included being the coordinator of Operation Warm Heart, which provides meals and shelter for the homeless during the cold winter months. He said that his campaign "is a continuation of my social service [for the community]."
2016 congressional campaign
Jacob is running in New Jersey's 7th Congressional District against Republican incumbent Leonard Lance. Jacob decided to run after witnessing through his social work the "challenges that many marginalized communities faced". He saw the main problem as being "special, corporate, corrupt interests being put above the people's...", hence what later became Jacob's main campaign slogan "People Over Politics". The Jacob campaign consists of a full-volunteer staff, and is not funded by any special interests.
Jacob received more votes than any other candidate in a primary in the history of the 7th Congressional District. Jacob received 45,272 votes in the primary, and his opponent Leonard Lance received 31,489.
The general election will take place on November 8, 2016.