Vince Micco isn’t a career politician but this Iraqi War Veteran said he is “personally offended” and feels a “moral obligation” to unseat six-term incumbent Democrat Steve Rothman in New Jersey's 9th Congressional District.

“The war, that’s the fire in my belly that makes me want to run,” said Micco, who is a married father of four. “ I never aspired to run for elected office — ever. But when Steve Rothman called to cut and run (from Iraq), I felt a moral obligation to run against him.”

Micco returned from Iraq in April 2004 after a year serving as a counterintelligence agent. While in Iraq, he had top secret clearance and conducted counter-intelligence operations, late night raids, and interrogations of anti-coalition personnel throughout the Sunni Triangle.

“With every one bad story we see on television — that we’re force-fed on television — there are 99 heartwarming, beautiful stories,” he said. “There are members of Congress, the media … who are politicizing the war.”

Micco said the United State’s role in Iraq is critical and the mission must be carried to completion. “Iraq is the center of gravity for terrorism. If we break them in Iraq, it will be a devastating blow to terrorism. If we hadn’t gone to Iraq, Afghanistan would be that center of gravity. … If we cut and run from Iraq, the biggest beneficiaries will be Iran and Syria; they are the biggest sponsors of terrorism in the world. And they’re sworn mission is to wipe Israel off the map.”

War aside, Micco is also passionate about securing the U.S. borders against illegal immigration and to use the National Guard to that end. “It offends me that people can sneak in and out of our country — foreign nationals — in a post-9/11 world,” he said. “It’s not that I’m against immigration — I’m a first generation American — I’m not picking on poor people who are trying to make a life for themselves. … Legal immigrants have a lot to offer. There are a lot of local laws on the books we need to enforce.”

He points to the Real Identification Act, which forbids illegal immigrants to get driver’s licenses and another law that gives local law enforcement the authority to inquire about the legal status of those arrested. These laws need to be enforced, he said. Illegal immigration drives down American wages, he said, and it’s time to “crack down” on employers who use “alien labor.”

Overdevelopment, eminent domain and fulfilling the requirement for the Coalition on Affordable Housing are tied together, Micco said, and South Bergen County has been unfairly saddled. “There’s definitely been an abuse of eminent domain and too much overdevelopment. And these towns are saddled by their obligations for low-income housing.”

As a mortgage broker, he said he knows there are ways for low-income families to buy homes. “I want to make it easier for people in a low-income situation to buy a house. … There’s so much more that could be done on the federal level, too. The consequences of COAH are just passed down to the taxpayers; it’s an expensive mandate. … There’s a better way.”

He pointed to the concept of selling Section 8 buildings and making them into condos for the families to purchase. “When people own their own homes, dignity comes with it.”

As far as eminent domain, everything should be done to stop private developers from getting their hands on private property. “Private property rights are sacred. It’s wrong that greedy developers can chase people out of their homes or businesses.”

Micco has one thing to say about Teterboro Airport: close it. “When I pick up my kids at Lincoln School, the noise alone is just unbelievable; everyone has to stop talking. That’s not even taking into account the pollution and safety hazards. And it sits on the most coveted real estate in New Jersey.”

He said he feels a Republican like himself will be a better representative in Washington, and he’ll be able to make a better case for issues concerning Teterboro. “Plus, I’m from here; I know exactly what our residents are dealing with. There is a much better use for that land.”

After serving nine years in the Army, Micco was awarded the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and the Army Commendation Medal for “exceptional meritorious service as a counterintelligence agent in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.” A former political advisor to former Assemblyman Paul DiGaetano, he’s presently a mortgage broker and serves on the board of directors on the Rutherford Chamber of Commerce and is active with the Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce. He’s a member of numerous service organizations and was an Italian Linguist, certified by the Department of Defense.