A full statement by Helen Duda, administrator of the NJ CD-2 Progressive Democrats, can be found below:

“Lawrence Hamm has been a champion for the people, and a tireless community activist.

“His progressive platform for social and economic justice reform for the poor and working class is one that is sorely needed in our diverse southern NJ district. Portions of our district suffer from a severe lack of jobs that provide a livable wage, poverty, drugs and gun violence. We are still recovering from one of the hardest hit areas in the entire nation for home foreclosures. We suffer from  food deserts, areas in our district lacking affordable food markets, forcing residents to pay more for their food to feed their families, and even having to travel a distance just to purchase food.

“Our southern NJ district has for far too long been forgotten, and we need a Senator that will be our voice in the Senate that will work to bring much needed resources to our urban communities hard hit by factory closures,  shore communities that provide only short term seasonal jobs, our agricultural communities, and our important immigrant population, struggling with the threat of ICE arrests, family separations, and deportations. Our homeless populations, lacking in much needed mental and physical health services, and lodging.

“Lawrence Hamm  understands our needs, and will be a voice for the people of NJ Congressional District 2 in the US Senate.”