Statement from Phil Murphy on Kim Guadagno and Carlos Rendo
“We are now seeing a disturbing trend emerge with Kim Guadagno and her campaign. Yesterday, she refused to criticize a sitting Assemblyman for posing with the Confederate flag, a symbol of bigotry and divisiveness. Today, we’ve learned that her choice for Lieutenant Governor, Woodcliff Lake Mayor Carlos Rendo, has been accused of systematic harassment and discrimination by the Chabad community in Woodcliff Lake. Yet, both times Lieutenant Governor Guadagno refused to criticize racist and anti-semitic speech despite the clear evidence.
“The remarks and tweet attributed to Mayor Rendo in the Chabad’s lawsuit are appalling and unacceptable. All communities have a right to live free of harassment and practice their religion, and, thorough his actions, Mayor Rendo made it very clear to the Chabad community in Woodcliff Lake that they were unwelcome. Most shocking of all, he disclosed that Kim Guadagno and her team were aware of these actions and statements before selecting him as Lieutenant Governor. Mayor Rendo was happy to exploit anti-semitism for political gain and the Guadagno campaign did not see that as an issue.
“New Jersey is the most diverse state in America, and if you cannot see racism and antisemitism when it hits you in the face, you cannot expect to lead. Just as President Trump failed that test in Charlottesville, Kim Guadagno has now failed that test twice. She must immediately make it clear to the people of New Jersey why she chose Mayor Rendo as her Lieutenant Governor candidate despite this pattern of discrimination and harassment.”
