NEWARK, N.J. – State Senator M. Teresa Ruiz and Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor-Marin issued the following statement in response to reports that U.S. Senate Candidate Bob Hugin fought against women’s inclusion at Princeton University

“Bob Hugin’s statements, both while an undergraduate member of the then-all-male eating club, the Tiger Inn, as well as when he was the President of its alumni board in his 30’s are unacceptable and deeply disturbing. Not only did he prolong a decade’s long fight to keep women out of Princeton’s eating clubs, even after women had already been admitted, he accused the woman who stood up to this unjust policy of “politically correct fascism.” Women who come forward and fight for equal representation are courageous and deserve to be respected. Instead, Bob Hugin sought to demean Sally Frank.

“Does Bob Hugin believe it was “politically correct fascism” when women had to fight for the right to vote, to be treated equally at work, or to be free from sexual violence, too? Every bit of progress that women have made has required a struggle, no different than Sally Frank’s.

“While Bob Hugin is insisting that he has had an epiphany, his actions since 1992 suggest otherwise. He has continued to follow Donald Trump even after Trump’s disgusting admissions on the Access Hollywood tape were revealed. He has given millions to bankroll numerous other far-right politicians and organizations that oppose a woman’s right to choose and equality in the workplace. It is clear that Bob Hugin is not and has never been a champion for women and we cannot afford to have someone with his views serve in the United States Senate.”

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