On October 16, 2024, entrepreneur and businessman, Curtis Bashaw, visited Stockton University’s Hughes Center for Public Policy to discuss his unique point of view as a South Jersey native running as a Republican for U.S. Senate.

Early in his roots, Bashaw knew he loved hospitality, working at the Jersey shore as a bellhop and waiting tables at Congress Hall in Cape May. Shortly after receiving his Master of Business Administration from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Bashaw came back to Cape May and started his first business opening the Virginia Hotel in 1989. He began with a couple dozen employees in the late 80s and built his company, Cape Resorts, over time expanding to over 1,100 employees, who he called “teammates.” Bashaw is an active member of the community having served on the Board of Trustees for Stockton University, including a term as chair. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the New Jersey Academy of Art.

He mentioned throughout the talk about how his background in business and entrepreneurship remains key in helping the country out of its debt. When asked about how college tuition continues to grow and become unaffordable for many people and his plan to solve the issue was, Bashaw said, “one thing you have to do as an enterprise is have the discipline of cost accountability.” He then continued to talk about how bloat can build up in businesses, including his own, and it is the responsibility of the business owner to cut away any unnecessary fat.

Bashaw believes in electing a political outsider and thinks he can fit that role accordingly. Bashaw mentioned the importance of the future and prosperity. “I’m looking for the future. I want you guys to have prosperity,” Bashaw said referencing Generation Z. He went on to talk about the importance of “preserving the blessings of liberty for ourself and the next generation”

In response to student questions, Bashaw emphasized the importance in working in hospitality: “You learn to serve, you bring humility, you understand that some people are going to be mean and some people are going to be so grateful. and your job is to make everyone feel at home.” He explained that spending time in a service business is great preparation to be in any business.

For more information about Curtis Bashaw’s campaign, visit his website here. On November 5, Curtis Bashaw’s bid for a U.S. senate seat in New Jersey will be on the ballot alongside the presidential election.