New Jersey Citizen Action Endorses Governor Murphy for Re-Election

NEWARK, NJ – May 13, 2021 – At a virtual event on Thursday evening, statewide progressive advocacy organization New Jersey Citizen Action (NJCA) announced its endorsement of Governor Phil Murphy for re-election in 2021. NJCA staff and board members were joined by the Governor and New Jerseyans who have been positively impacted by the Murphy Administration’s policies.

“In the past few years, Governor Murphy has proven himself to be a strong and capable leader, as well as committed to the health and success of working- and middle-class New Jerseyans,” said Phyllis Salowe-Kaye, NJCA Executive Director. “Throughout the pandemic his policies have kept us safe and guided the state to health and economic recovery. He has put working families first since day one, increasing access to higher education, health care, paid leave, and child care. With inequality still at unsustainable levels in this country, we need the Governor’s progressive leadership for four more years to continue these important strides.”

“New Jersey Citizen Action has long been a leading progressive voice at the forefront of issues that matter most to New Jerseyans,” said Governor Murphy. “Together, we’ve made unmistakable progress toward creating a stronger, fairer, and more equitable New Jersey that lives up to our shared values. I’m thrilled to receive this endorsement and eager to continue our work tackling the challenges facing New Jersey families.”

A diverse panel spoke on how policies enacted by Governor Murphy have improved their day-to-day lives, along with thousands more like them across the state. During his first term, the Governor has meaningfully expanded access to health care and increased economic opportunities for middle- and working-class families. Policies like paid and family leave, health coverage subsidies, an increased minimum wage, expanded Earned Income and Child Tax Credits, and affordable community college can be the difference between health and illness, between financial ruin and financial mobility for the average NJ family.

“As an unemployed single parent of a child with a learning disability, I don’t know what I would have done without the increased financial assistance we received to make health coverage affordable,” said Timothy Fallon, a NJ parent who has benefitted from Gov. Murphy’s increased health care access. “Both of our insurance premiums are now $0, to say it’s a load off my mind is an understatement. No parent should have to worry about being able to pay for basic medical care for their kid.”

“My thanks to Governor Murphy for his leadership in championing short-term leave for workers. The Earned Sick and Safe Day law has helped to level the playing field for small businesses, who already provide paid sick days, and save lives during the COVID-19 crisis,” added Anita Thomas, Carolyn Dorfman Dance Executive Director, founding steering committee member of the NJ Main Street Alliance, and NJCA Board Member. “Reasonable worker protections help us retain quality employees and vastly improve their quality of life. Healthier and happier workers mean greater productivity and a stronger economy for all.”

“The Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG) has allowed me to take full advantage of the opportunities I saw at PCCC,” said Paulo Almiron, Passaic County community college student and CCOG recipient. “Thanks to this program, thousands of students like me are able to build a future that may have otherwise been out of our reach.”

“My family benefited greatly from the newly expanded NJ Family Leave Insurance Program. Without those benefits, I would not have been able to spend the time at home supporting my wife with our newborn son, and would have missed out on those early moments,” commented Brian McDonald, new dad and a forester with the NJ Forest Service. “Robust paid family leave policies make all the difference for a strong foundation raising our children.”

“CWA 1036 and the NJ Time to Care Coalition (NJTCC) worked to pass paid sick days and improve paid family leave for years,” said Michele Liebtag, Political and Education Director at CWA Local 1036, NJTCC member, and NJCA Board Member. “However, it took Governor Murphy coming into office and leading the way for these vital issues to be passed and effectively implemented.”

NJCA’s endorsement process is conducted by its Political Action Committee. When evaluating a gubernatorial endorsement, NJCA considers how a candidate’s record and campaign aligns with the organization’s priorities, including access to health care, education affordability, tax fairness, racial and economic justice, and financial relief for families and individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. NJCA also conducted an interview with Governor Murphy on these issues and more.

NJCA’s candidate endorsements include outreach to media, partner organizations, allies, affiliates and 20,000 members throughout New Jersey. With expanded resources the organization is able to engage in various levels of direct voter contact by phone, text and door.

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New Jersey Citizen Action is a statewide advocacy and social service organization that advocates for social, racial and economic justice for all while also meeting the pressing needs of low and moderate income New Jerseyans through education and direct service.