NJDSC Conference Draws Over 2,000 Attendees, Breaking All Previous Records in Tremendous Display of Grassroots Enthusiasm

Chairman Currie: Democrats Are United Behind Re-Electing Menendez, Taking Control of the House of Representatives

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ — The New Jersey Democratic State Committee welcomed more than 2,000 grassroots activists, clergy members, elected officials and progressive leaders to its 2018 annual Conference in Atlantic City last week. The record number of attendees is more than double that of previous Conferences and is a testament to the unprecedented level of grassroots enthusiasm among Democrats throughout the state, strong outreach efforts and the excitement being generated by Governor Phil Murphy’s progressive policy agenda.

With a theme of “Riding the Blue Wave,” the NJDSC Conference served as a rallying point for Democrats working to re-elect Senator Bob Menendez, elect the state’s five Democratic Congressional challengers and win up and down the ballot throughout New Jersey.

A photo gallery from the 2018 NJDSC Conference is available here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/wq8aaonrx4u2wab/AABAX9035NtM-xeXPZnQ3T5ca?dl=0

“New Jersey Democrats just showed what a united grassroots movement for progressive change looks like,” said NJDSC Chairman John Currie. “The energy we saw throughout this event and the desire by activists and community leaders to put this country back in the right direction is frankly unprecedented, and as a party we will be working non-stop to channel that enthusiasm into re-electing Senator Menendez, flipping the House and electing Democrats around the state.”

In addition to the NJDSC Conference’s massive attendance, the event also helped the party reach Democrats and activists throughout the state on a variety of digital platforms. Content related to the Conference garnered over 400,000 targeted digital impressions and videos from Gov. Murphy promoting the event were viewed over 32,000 times in the past week and . Thousands of new email addresses have been added to the NJDSC’s database and will be used for coordinated fundraising and volunteer recruitment in targeted races.

Governor Phil Murphy, First Lady Tammy Murphy and Senator Cory Booker opened the Conference with a Welcome Reception on Thursday evening at Harrah’s Resort and Casino in Atlantic City, featuring rousing speeches that brought the capacity crowd to its feet. Governor Murphy, Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka delivered remarks during Friday morning’s Faith in the Democratic Party Breakfast, which spotlighted the party’s commitment to faith leaders, organized labor and other crucial constituencies. That was followed by Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez delivering the Keynote Address during lunch with New Jersey’s Democratic Congressional Candidates, as well as training sessions and Caucus meetings. The Conference ended with a Reception honoring Senator Menendez.

“We’re going to build on this highly successful NJDSC Conference and continue our efforts to support Democratic candidates throughout the state, from Senator Menendez and our Congressional candidates to local and county candidates,” said NJDSC Executive Director Liz Gilbert. “Just in the last few weeks we have recruited hundreds of new volunteers for Democratic campaigns, reached thousands of activists and local Democrats online and deepened our relationships with the grassroots and community organizations that are propelling the Democratic Party forward. These efforts will translate into victories up and down the ballot in November as New Jersey does its part to Flip the House and hold the Trump administration accountable.”