Meet the Candidate: Zack Mullock Says Congress Must Focus on Affordability, Bipartisanship and the Middle Class

Cape May Mayor Zack Mullock says he isn't running for Congress to wage political battles over personalities.

Instead, the Democratic candidate for New Jersey's 2nd Congressional District says he wants to bring the bipartisan approach he says has worked in Cape May to Washington while focusing on affordability, small businesses and rebuilding the middle class.

During an appearance on WOND's Off The Press with Scott Cronick, Mullock outlined his positions on a wide range of issues, from immigration and artificial intelligence to energy policy and the nation's political divide.

Looking Beyond Donald Trump

Mullock said he believes voters want candidates who offer solutions rather than campaigns centered solely on President Donald Trump.

"I totally agree with that," Mullock said when asked whether the race should be about more than Trump. "People want to hear what you actually want to do."

Drawing on his experience as Cape May's nonpartisan mayor, Mullock said collaboration has been the key to accomplishing projects.

"I recognized really early on as mayor that if you don't bring people in and bring them to the table, you're not going to get things done," he said. "Yeah, you may have to compromise on different things."

He said the current political climate pushes both parties toward ideological extremes.

"We're not communicating with people and we're not looking to compromise," Mullock said. "We're all just being pushed to the extremes, and I don't think it has to be that way."

Helping Main Street

Economically, Mullock said he believes Washington spends too much time focusing on large corporations instead of locally owned businesses.

"Nine out of ten new jobs come from small business, not from big corporations," he said. "We need to focus more on Main Street and less on Wall Street because they're the ones creating the jobs."

He said reducing regulatory burdens for small businesses would do more to strengthen South Jersey's economy than additional benefits aimed at major corporations.

Immigration

While supporting stronger border security, Mullock said immigration enforcement should distinguish between securing the border and people who have become established members of their communities.

"I think the goal should be zero illegal crossings — 100 percent," he said.

However, he added that he is concerned about longtime residents living in fear.

"When it comes to rounding up people who are part of the community... I find that to be insane," Mullock said, referring to conversations he said he has had with labor organizations whose members worry about immigration enforcement.

Energy

Mullock also called for expanded investment in renewable energy, particularly solar power.

"I believe in climate change. I believe in science," he said.

He argued that South Jersey is well positioned to benefit from solar manufacturing and installation.

"We need to double, triple down on solar technology," Mullock said. He also suggested expanding low-interest loan programs to help homeowners install solar panels.

Artificial Intelligence and Big Tech

One of Mullock's strongest warnings involved the rapid growth of artificial intelligence and the influence of major technology companies.

"I don't think enough politicians understand big technology," he said.

Mullock argued that AI systems rely heavily on copyrighted works created by others.

"AI functions by simply copying everything," he said. "It's taking musicians, artists and authors... without any compensation to the original person."

He also expressed concern about social media algorithms shaping what children see online.

"If we're ever going to come together, if we only have these algorithms feeding us what it thinks we need to see, I don't see how we're ever going to come together," Mullock said. "I do think there needs to be more regulation of Big Tech."

Protecting the Safety Net

Mullock said he opposes cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP and veterans' programs, arguing government has an obligation to protect vulnerable Americans.

"I think there are those important programs that protect those most vulnerable," he said. "Take care of the most vulnerable, number one."

Mullock said his campaign is centered on restoring trust in government by emphasizing practical problem-solving over partisan conflict.

"I think people want to see good people get into politics," he said. "If you're looking for an alternative, you have one — and you have a good one."