Sanders Campaign Will Not Participate in Mock Presidential Caucus.

“Respectfully, we, New Jersey for Bernie 2020, are declining to participate in the New Jersey Democratic Mock Presidential Caucus,” said Barry Brendel, Vice Chair of New Jersey for Bernie 2020. “One of the strengths of the Sanders campaign is the way the entire national volunteer effort works together wherever we are needed.  Right now, we are all Iowa volunteers.

Nationally, we have made 5 million calls in the last three weeks into early primary states. New Jersey has been a major contributor to that effort. We have between 100 and 150 people on phones every night. We do not want to pull 100-150 people off calling voters three days before Iowa in order to attend an event.

When first approached about the caucus, I talked to a number of our top organizers and, to a person, they said they would rather spend Friday night making calls for Iowa or New Hampshire. I agree.

As a result, we are asking the event organizers not to convene any caucus for Bernie Sanders and we are asking Sanders supports not to participate. Sanders supporters are everywhere and, obviously, we will still get a few votes, but it would be in no way reflective of Bernie Sanders support in New Jersey, as evidenced by the recent poll that showed Bernie tied for first in New Jersey, and accordingly would be unfair to report.”