HARRISON CAMPAIGN BLASTS AMY KENNEDY’S HYPOCRISY

ON COUNTY LINE STANCE AND ASKS HER TO STOP ATTACKING DEMOCRATS

[March 30, 2020 – Longport, New Jersey] In the midst of a global pandemic and concerns that eligible voters could not access candidate information or be guaranteed the ability to anonymously cast their ballots, Ocean County Democrats announced on Sunday it would create an open primary structure. 

Amy Kennedy’s campaign decried the decision, with press reports confirming her campaign was “livid” and publicly questioning the authenticity of the pandemic as a reason to hold an open primary.

The following is a statement from Matthew Frankel, Senior Advisor to Brigid for South Jersey:

“In the midst of a global pandemic which has transformed life as we know it, Amy Kennedy decried Ocean County’s decision on Sunday and was reportedly “livid.”  During this specific moment, as we are all doing our best to address the needs of New Jersey, Amy’s attack on the County officials was wrong, it that’s simple. 

“Less than two months ago, Amy signed a pledge calling for the end of the county line. Now she seems to be its ultimate defender.

“We already knew that Amy was willing to embrace any party boss who will support her, even convicted criminals, while publicly attacking anyone who won’t, including well-respected and fairly elected Democratic leaders.

“We already knew that in Ocean County alone, Amy faced accusations of intimidation and harassment of convention delegates and that County officials shared frustration because she lied in addressing key areas of her past during a steering committee interview.

“Now we see that when Amy loses the party line – as she did in a fair vote in Cumberland County in February – she claims the process is “rigged,” but when an open primary is announced, as Ocean County communicated on Sunday, she flip-flops and calls that “rigged” as well.  

“To be clear, we were not thrilled with the Ocean County decision either.  We were poised to win it.  The difference is that we accepted the decision of the Democrats in Ocean County leaders simply because it is the right thing to do.

“The last name Amy married into does not entitle her to the nomination.  Carrying that last name does not entitle her to continue to lash out at other Democrats just because they don’t support her or she may not like a decision they make. 

“Those Amy has attacked include Sen. Cory Booker, Sen. Robert Menendez, a host of elected officials, leaders and members of organized labor who she has characterized as “corrupt,” plus rank and file Democrats, all whom have endorsed Brigid.  Amy is obviously frustrated that she has no path to victory, but she needs to understand that shredding the Democratic party to pieces through a strategy of vitriol and divisiveness only hands the Republican party a playbook.  Most of all, it continues to create a mess that others will have to clean up in the general election.

“We are all Democrats first – and beating Van Drew must be our priority. There might be times as a Party that we disagree, but Brigid is going to ask for every vote – and she will not call out Democrats who disagree with her or attempt to divide the party for her own personal gain. 

“Brigid Callahan Harrison looks forward to spending the coming months listening to the voters in Ocean County and throughout the congressional district.  And as we navigate these trying times, she plans to hold leaders in Washington, DC – especially Jeff Van Drew – accountable for their actions that affect the public health and economy of our district. 

“Amy Kennedy must stop attacking Democrats and owes Ocean County Democrats an apology.”

THE FOLLOWING IS THE PLEDGE AMY KENNEDY SIGNED IN JANUARY, WHERE SHE CLAIMED SHE WOULD FIGHT AGAINST THE COUNTY LINE –

We, the undersigned, resolve to call for the end of the county line and to support ballot reform that embraces the spirit of open democracy and democratic values to compete in a transparent primary process in which there is no inherent advantage granted to a single candidate through the ballot structure and we engage solely on the merits of our respective experience, platforms, and ability to campaign effectively to win support and invite accountability from our constituents.