As the November 3 elections are upon us, we thought it appropriate to take a look at a few of this year's candidates who are quite literally putting it all on the line. From a 26-year-old student mother to a "Rent Too High" party candidate, get the names and platforms of those going against the grain -- and perhaps even the vote -- during this election season.

Kenneth Kaplan - Candidate for Governor of New Jersey

Party:
Independent

Plan:
Taxes - "We need to move away from broad based taxes in favor of user fees."
Gay rights - A marriage equality law is needed in New Jersey to allow same sex couples to marry.
Housing - The state must enact legislation to supersede local zoning ordinances, removing zoning barriers which currently prevent owners of single family homes from converting them to two family homes and the owners of two family homes from converting them to three families.

What You Didn't Know:
Kaplan worked as a real estate broker for six years before founding his own realty company.

Quote:
"Every adult should have the right to make his or her own choices as to what to ingest—be it alcohol, marijuana, nicotine, or cherry pie.  Let our drug laws continue to protect children, but let adults have freedom of choice."

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Joshua Leinsdorf - Candidate for Governor of New Jersey

Party:
Independent

Plan:
Legalize and tax marijuana
Collect sales tax on internet sales
Abolish county government
Abolish the Council on Affordable Housing

What You Didn't Know:
In 1968, Josh left Columbia University to work on Eugene McCarthy's presidential campaign as the national travel coordinator.

Quote:
"I favor entirely abolishing county government, the source of most of the corruption, incompetence and waste in government, consolidating local governments, and prohibiting gerrymandering."

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Gary Stein, Candidate for Governor of New Jersey

Party:
Independent

Plan / Focus:
Boycotting Cancun
Border security
Illegal immigration

What You Didn't Know:
Stein doesn't care so much about even being governor. His objective is to draw media attention to immigration problems and corruption south of the border. "I can't even lead the people of my own household," says Stein, "so how could I lead the state?"

Quote:
"The solution to this immigration nightmare is really quite simple.  A boycott by us of Cancun for starters..."

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Joseph L. Dobrian, Candidate for Mayor of New York

Party:
Libertarian

Plan:
The repeal of malicious and punitive taxes, onerous regulations, and laws that penalize private conduct. Also, he aims to make New York fun again, and he would like to make smoking in bars legal.

What You Didn't Know:
Designs his own suits

Quote:
"As Mayor, I will leave you alone."

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Jimmy McMillan, Candidate for Mayor of New York

Party:
Rent Is Too High

Plan:
Tenants will pay $550 per month in rent in buildings built before 2001, and $750 per month in buildings built after 2001.

What You Didn't Know:
McMillan has a 10th-degree black belt in karate.