NJDSC Jewish Caucus Announces Inaugural First Round of Endorsements

Today, the New Jersey Democratic State Committee Jewish Caucus announced its inaugural round of endorsements for the 2023 election cycle.

“As we see an extreme rise in hate crimes against the Jewish community, making up nearly 60% of religious hate crime attacks despite making up 2% of the US population, it is more important than ever to elect candidates who live up to our values. Whether that is combating antisemitism and bigotry, protecting democracy, fighting climate change, defending the rights of women to control their own bodies, we know these candidates will continue to push forth our party’s values. These 20 candidates, from all across the state, running for office from council to commissioner to state legislative seats, make up a great first class of endorsements for our caucus, and will make NJ a fairer and more just state once in office” said Justin Goldsman, Chair of the NJDSC Jewish Caucus.

Vice-Chair of the NJDSC Jewish Caucus Alana Burman reflected on what these endorsements mean: “Growing up in rural Somerset, I did not see Jewish leadership in the public governmental space. I am so excited about the number and quality of Jewish candidates and incumbents we are able to endorse. I look forward to expanding these numbers!”

List of candidates:

State Senate

Sen. Linda Greenstein – Senate, LD14 Sen. Andrew Zwicker – Senate, LD16 Caren Fitzpatrick – Senate, LD2

Jen Ehrentraut – Senate, LD40

State Assembly

Asw. Pam Lampitt – Assembly, LD6 Asm. Roy Freiman – Assembly, LD16 Asm. Gary Schaer – Assembly, LD36 Asw. Lisa Swain – Assembly, LD38 Guy Citron – Assembly, LD23

Rosy Bagolie – Assembly, LD27 Avi Schnall – Assembly, LD30

County Commissioner

Commissioner Patricia Sebold – Essex County

Jonathan Sackett – Morris County Arthur Schlossbach – Monmouth County

Municipal

Nancy Gross – Mayor, Woodcliff Lake Phil Cohen – Hoboken Council

Victor Jacksier – Mount Olive Council

Bruce Kramer – Millburn Township Committee Bud Ravitz – Morris Township Committee Shari Seffer – Montville Committee

Councilman Ben Weisman, the Secretary for the Jewish Caucus, said the following as it relates to the endorsements: “As the first Jewish elected official in Boonton, NJ’s history, I recognize the vital importance of electing Jewish candidates who share our values to offices up and down the ballot. Honored to be endorsing this exceptional group of leaders. I am grateful to them, as well as to all the candidates and elected officials – Jewish and non-Jewish – who fight antisemitism in both word and deed every day.”

Seth Levin, a Board Member at Large who took a leading role on the endorsement process, commented: “We would like to thank everyone who contributed to the success of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee Jewish Caucus’ endorsement process. The time and thought that each candidate put into their applications is a reflection of the jewish values of justice, truth, peace, and compassion within our state Democratic party. We look forward to doing everything in our power to ensure the victory of our endorsed candidates in the General Election.”

The NJDSC Jewish Caucus plans to host several text banks and GOTV efforts leading up to the election to help elect their endorsed candidates, and Democrats up and down the ballot, to ensure strong turnout this November. The caucus was re-established earlier this year and has already hosted numerous meetings, events, and voter outreach efforts with elected officials from across the state.

To join the Jewish caucus or any of the numerous Democratic caucuses, visit: https://www.njdems.org/coalitions/#caucuses

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