Governor and Democratic Leaders from Across the State Join Lieutenant Governor, Senate Majority Leader, and First Lady in Denouncing Congressman Lance’s Comments on Dr. Ford

Dozens of party, faith and community leaders are showing their support for Dr. Ford following hours of emotional and inspiring testimony against Judge Brett Kavanaugh

TRENTON, N.J. — Governor Phil Murphy and New Jersey Democratic State Committee Chairman John Currie join Democratic leaders from across the state including Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver, First Lady Tammy Murphy and Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg in denouncing disparaging comments made by Rep. Leonard Lance (R-7). Lance was caught on tape saying he “tends not to believe” Dr. Ford’s allegations she was sexually assaulted by Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.

STATEMENT

“We find it appalling that Congressman Lance would prejudge Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and refuse to even listen to her testimony before publicly declaring that he does not believe her. Dr. Ford has shown an incredible degree of courage in coming forward to tell her story, and Congressman Lance’s unwillingness to consider her testimony shows how little respect he has for survivors of sexual assault and for all women. Congressman Lance should be ashamed of himself and he owes an apology to his constituents, to sexual assault survivors and to women all over the country who are inspired by Dr. Ford’s strength and bravery.”

Signed by:

Governor Phil Murphy

Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman

NJDSC Chair John Currie

NJDSC Vice Chair Lizette Delgado Polanco

Union County Chair Senator Nicholas Scutari

Assemblywoman Mila Jasey

Hunterdon County Chair Arlene Quiñones Perez

Somerset County Chair Peg Schaffer

Morris County Chair Chip Robinson

Warren County Chair Tom Palmieri

Hudson County Chair Amy DeGise

Monmouth County Chair Dave Brown

Atlantic County Chair Mike Suleiman

Union County Freeholder Bette Kowalski

Fanwood Mayor Colleen Mahr

Clinton Mayor Janice Kovach

Clinton Councilwoman Rielly Karsh

Lambertville Councilwoman Elaine Warner

Lambertville Councilwoman Beth Asaro

High Bridge Councilwoman Natalie Ferry

Summit Councilwoman Marjorie Fox

Newark Council President Mildred Crump

BlueWaveNJ President Marcia Marley

New Jersey Working Families Alliance Executive Director Analilia Mejia

Women for Progress President Erin Chung

Reverend Louise Scott-Rountree

Ridgewood JOLT President Catherine Brienza

NJ 11th For Change Political Director Elizabeth Juviler

NJDSC Executive Director Liz Gilbert

Monmouth County Democrats Executive Director Kinn Badger

Paterson Deputy Mayor Jamie Bland

New Jersey Black Issues Convention President Reva Foster

Indivisible: Garden State Values Michelle Hoffmann

Indivisible Lambertville Cindi Sternfeld

Reverend Doctor Mamie Bridgeforth

Mrs. Kimberly Green

Association of Black Women Lawyers President Carolyn Chang

Action Together Executive Director Winn Khuong

Action Together Leadership from across the state:

Northeast Regional Director Anna Wong

Director of Operations Kim Baron

HR Manager Lizzie K. Foley

Drug Policy Reform Director Moira Nelson

Communications Manager Stacey Murphy

Somerset County Co-Chair Cookie Acot

Somerset County Co-Chair Kate Rizzo

Union County Co-Chair Pamela Brug

Warren County Co-Chair Kelly Shea

Warren County Co-Chair Iris Perrot

Warren County Co-Chair Cheryl Marciano

Warren County Co-Chair Pat Brady

Hunterdon County Co-Chair Joyce Santos

Morris County Co-Chair Jill Rhodes

Morris County Co-Chair Anita Esteve

Director of FB Moderation Team Amie Babischkin

Gloucester County Co-Chair Christine Elias

Cape May County Co-Chair Shannon McDevitt

Morris County Co-Chair Rachel Kempster Barry

Bergen County Co-Chair Jackie Low

Burlington County Co-Chair Susan Coleman

Director of Electoral Intelligence Dan Janowski

Graphic Design Director Dani Bratton

Director of Operations Kim Baron

Passaic County Co-Chair Stephanie Silvera

Passaic County Co-Chair Patti Douglass

Ocean County Co-Chair Christine Luland

Atlantic County Co-Chair Alison Arne

Hudson County Co-Chair Caitlin Sherman

Civil Rights Director Rachel Green

First Lady Tammy Murphy, Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver and Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg have also denounced Lance’s comments.

“Not only should everyone who has a serious allegation be heard, but the ongoing legitimacy of our Supreme Court hinges upon the handling of this hearing,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy. “I believe Dr. Ford — she is compelling, credible and an unwilling participant here who is stepping up and performing a heroic feat of civic duty. Sadly, even before Dr. Ford testified today, Congressman Lance dismissed Dr. Ford’s credibility and said he doesn’t believe her. Congressman Lance’s time is up, and it’s time for new leadership in Congress. That’s why I’m supporting Tom Malinowski, a fighter for women’s rights, and a person who would take the honorable steps to absolutely ensure a citizen is heard, and a proper investigation would follow.”

“Sexual assault is the most traumatic experience any woman could be forced to live with and questioning the credibility of a victim is simply unacceptable,” said Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver. “The nation watched as Dr. Ford provided hours of emotional testimony today detailing Judge Kavanaugh’s attack on her so he could be held accountable for his actions and ensure the next judge appointed to the Supreme Court will protect the values of all Americans. Congressman Lance’s attempt to further humiliate Dr. Ford is intolerable and not representative of New Jersey values. It is clear we need new leadership in the Seventh Congressional District to protect and defend the rights of women.”

“It doesn’t surprise me that Congressman Leonard Lance is falling in lock step with the good old boy’s club of his Republican party on Judge Kavanaugh.  He said he ‘tends not believe the charges.’ How much more outrageous can it get?” said Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg. “He already formed an opinion without hearing her testimony!   Dr. Ford is a courageous and brave young woman — She has chosen to come forward, disrupt her family, her life, her privacy and her safety to recount these traumatic events in front of Congress.  These comments from Leonard Lance are irresponsible and wreak with partisanship without any regard for the survivor of a sexual assault — this is exactly why he should not be representing us in Congress.  This is why we need Tom Malinowski. And we need him NOW! “