West Orange Young Democrats Endorses Imani Oakley For Congress

Montclair, NJ — The West Orange Young Democrats endorsed Imani Oakley’s Congressional campaign Wednesday. The organization — made up of young progressive Democrats — chose to support Oakley due to her long-term organizing work and progressive platform. In particular, they highlighted their support for Imani’s climate and student loan elimination proposals.

“We support Imani Oakley because she’s a voice who stands for progressives,” Executive Director Bahram Mehretu said. “She is someone who has time and time again fought for the underprivileged and continues to maintain integrity throughout each role she’s been in. From activist to policymaker, Oakley has been someone that not only the youth — but also the underprivileged — can rely on.”

Oakley — a political organizer and well-known New Jersey pro-democracy activist — is running for Congress in New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District on a platform of ambitious environmental policy, economic mobility, criminal justice reform, housing justice, and healthcare for all. The incumbent, Rep. Payne Jr., has drawn criticism for funding ICE detention centers, taking money from some of the worst polluters in the fossil fuel industry, and for having one of the highest absentee rates of any Congressperson.

Oakley and her campaign thanked the West Orange Young Democrats for their trust and promised that the struggles of marginalized communities would be at the center of her campaign. This endorsement adds to the progressive coalition growing around Oakley’s campaign, including Catch Fire, Brand New Congress, Black Lives Matter activist Zellie Imani, Maplewood Deputy Mayor Dean Dafis, and Mt. Rainier Vice Mayor Scott Cecil.

“I am honored to be endorsed by true progressives,” Oakley said. “Their support truly shows that all of our collective liberations are intertwined. As your representative, I will be an unyielding advocate for all marginalized people.”

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Imani Oakley is a long-time political organizer and pro-democracy activist running for Congress in New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District. The seat covers parts of Essex, Union, and Hudson counties. Her time working in New Jersey political spaces has made one thing clear: our state suffers from rabid corruption. Her campaign is dedicated to ending this system and lifting up working-class communities.