Monmouth County, NJ – August 28, 2020-

Monmouth County Freeholder candidates, Michael Penna and Moira Nelson, are honored to be endorsed by the LGBTQ Victory Fund this year. The LGBTQ Victory Fund is the only national organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ people to public office. Victory Fund only endorses candidates who will be strong voices for equality and who are building campaigns that are on-track to win. If elected, the duo would be the first openly LGBTQ+ candidates to be elected to the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

“LGBTQ Victory Fund is pleased to endorse Michael Penna and Moira Nelson for Monmouth County Freeholder this year,” said Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund. “We are particularly excited to support their candidacy because it is unusual and exciting to have two openly LGBTQ+ candidates running together on the same slate. They are both long time advocates for the LGBTQ+ community and I am certain they will continue to be champions for the community once they are elected. Their commitment to establish an office of LGBTQ+ Affairs at the county level and to create a task force focused on issues specific to LGBTQ+ youth can have an enormous impact on LGBTQ people in the county. When they win in November, they will be the first openly LGBTQ+ candidates in history to be elected at the county level in Monmouth County.”

Penna is an educator teaching Drama and English to at-risk and special needs children at Collier High School in Marlboro, NJ and he is a PhD candidate. He is dedicated to social justice and equality for all residents, he is a lifelong advocate for the disabled, and is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community.

Nelson was born & raised in Monmouth County, is a long-time fashion industry executive, and is a former small business owner. Advocacy is in her DNA. She is a long-time drug policy reform advocate, she’s fought for racial & social justice for years, and she has mentored women in recovery, underprivileged teens, and young professionals throughout her adult life.

Nelson said, “As members of the LGBTQ+ community, we truly value diversity & feel that County government should reflect the County. We plan to promote diversity and inclusion throughout all County departments, commissions, & boards. We will establish an Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs at the County level & will assemble a Task Force focused specifically on LGBTQ+ Youth concerns.”

Penna added, “As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, it is truly an honor to receive this highly coveted endorsement. I believe we need empathetic leaders who will fight to ensure just and equitable policy at the local level and at all levels of government. I am driven by my commitment to social justice; I am running to be YOUR voice and representative on the County board.”

As they campaign across Monmouth County, Penna and Nelson, are prioritizing local, non-partisan issues that involve education, the environment, access to services, and ensuring transparency and accountability. A few examples include long-term, regional environmental planning including flood mitigation, shoreline erosion, and storm water strategies for municipalities, addressing concerns with the Monmouth County Reclamation Center and proposing long-term, “green” waste management solutions, allocating funding to support educators and support staff, funding social services appropriately so that no one is left behind, keeping families safe by championing common sense gun safety laws and responsible gun ownership, advocating for county-level policing reforms, and promoting diversity and inclusion in county departments, on boards and commissions.

ABOUT MICHAEL PENNA & MOIRA NELSON FOR FREEHOLDER

Michael and Moira envision a County government that is representative of ALL residents – women, people of color, children, seniors, veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ community, the homeless, those suffering from substance use disorders, the working class and small business owners – EVERYONE. Michael and Moira are committed to listening, to focusing on solutions, and if elected, they would be honored to represent your concerns on the Freeholder Board.

www.pennanelson.com
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https://www.instagram.com/pennanelson2020/

More information about Victory Fund can be found at victoryfund.org.

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