Imani Oakley Statement on Donald Payne Jr. Parking Ticket Incident

Congressional candidate Imani Oakley released the following statement regarding the March 2020 parking ticket incident, and subsequent retaliation, of opponent Donald Payne, Jr.

“After Donald Payne Jr. got a parking ticket in March 2020, he got pretty mad. He argued with the officer, and then the officer ‘mysteriously’ faced alleged retaliation at work,” said Oakley. “Political retaliation is business as usual in the Essex County Sheriff’s Office. This is the same Sheriff’s office that is responsible for the Essex County Jail, which is known for horrible conditions for both prisoners and ICE detainees, and the same Sheriff who donated money to Donald Payne Jr.’s campaign last quarter.”

“None of this is particularly surprising to anyone who’s familiar with New Jersey Party Machine politics – favors and rewards and even patronages, and conversely, retaliation for going against the Machine – but it prevents us from making very real progress. If elected officials can’t be held accountable for their basic errors, how can we expect accountability for serious problems? We need to root out corruption at every single level. As Congresswoman, I will fight vehemently for anti-corruption measures, and I pledge to never punish a worker for simply doing their job.”

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Imani Oakley is a Brand New Congress-endorsed candidate, 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.