WOODBURY With one candidate seeking his fifth term in office and the other having four months under her belt, the two Democrats running for state Assembly in the 3rd District say they are here to stay.

Assemblyman John Burzichelli's experience shined, and Assemblywoman Celeste Riley chimed in on occasion, during a meeting with the Times editorial board on Monday.

"I'm very optimistic for the potential of this state and what we can do," said Burzichelli. "I think we're poised to be successful."

Riley, who took over for Douglas Fisher when he was named the state's agriculture secretary, has been able to get her "feet wet" during her short tenure in the Legislature.

"I'm understanding the problems," said Riley. "I know I'm new, but I see areas I want to address."

The educator from Bridgeton said there is no longer a concern about her day job interfering with any work in Trenton.

"It has been worked out," said Riley, who explained her district now has her doing curriculum development on Mondays and Thursdays the two main session days in Trenton. She continues to teach the remaining days of the week.

Preventing her from serving the public would be unfair, she said.

"We should have equal representation in our Legislature," said Riley.

Job creation and improving the economy are a top priority for the Democrats.

New Jersey would not be in its current crisis if the national economy had not failed, according to Burzichelli, a member of the Assembly Budget Committee.

Even once there is an economic turnaround, the state has to be fiscally smart

"Our voice will be for discipline," said Burzichelli, who also serves as the mayor of Paulsboro. "To get real tax relief we have to continue to tighten things up. In my mind everything is on the table."

The district needs to "reinvent" itself based on its location and resources, according to Burzichelli.

One way to improve the economy, according to these legislators, is to improve transportation.

Expanding current state highways in South Jersey and offering an express bus service could help the cause.

Riley suggested providing this bus service from the impoverished Bridgeton into Atlantic City.

"Let's face it, we live in the poorest district," said Riley. "The only way you get people out of poverty is you provide transportation to get them to employment."

The problem with Bridgeton is it needs to get "unlocked," according to Burzichelli, who would like to see a direct path to Route 55.

Although the budget and other statewide issues led the discussion, the two Democrats did have some opinions on issues specific to the 3rd District.

Both Riley and Burzichelli said they favor the proposed expansion to the Artificial Island Nuclear Generating Complex in Lower Alloways Creek.

Both legislators, whose opponents oppose extra funding to the state's 31 poorest "Abbott" districts, say the newest plan in place should work. Bridgeton and Salem are two schools in the 3rd District covered by the program.

When it comes to immigration reform, the Democrats are ready to put some pressure on federal representatives to make sure something is done. Whatever happens won't come easy, according to Riley.

"We have a very complicated immigration issue," said Riley. "We now have generations of people who are not documented."

America was built by immigrants, but those who are here illegally and breaking the law should not be allowed to stay, added Burzichelli.

The 3rd District includes all of Salem County, and portions of Gloucester and Cumberland counties.

Burzichelli and Riley are facing Republicans Robert Villare and Lee Lucas in the Nov. 3 election. The two Republicans say they are not running together, something the Democrats say plays to their favor.

"We have the advantage of being a team," said Burzichelli. "... We are not ostriches. We know what we have ahead of us."