State Senator Teresa Ruiz Endorses Congressman Payne for Reelection

NJ State Senate Majority Leader is Supporting Congressman Payne’s Campaign, Citing his Support for Education and Childcare in NJ-10

NEWARK, NJ – New Jersey State Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz (D-Newark) is endorsing Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. (D-Newark) for reelection. Senator Ruiz is citing Congressman Payne’s record of standing up for New Jersey’s working families and long commitment to public education.

“I am thrilled to endorse my friend Congressman Donald Payne for reelection,” said Senator Ruiz. “Congressman Payne has been a champion for education, childcare, and so many other issues that directly impact working families in New Jersey. He has fought tirelessly to pass the Build Back Better Act which would include historic investments in childcare, and worked to ensure that public schools have the resources they need to best serve all of their students. This would also have a direct impact on Black and Brown communities that so often do not receive the kinds of investments in education that they need. We need representatives like Donald Payne in Washington advocating for our communities and working to increase equity in public education.”

Congressman Payne voted to pass the Build Back Better Act, and continues to work to pass President Biden’s agenda in Congress. He also introduced the Promise Neighborhoods Act which would provide grants to schools in low income and underserved communities for after school programs and resources to ensure that every child has the chance to succeed. He is also fighting to make public college more affordable, and increase investment in Pell grants so that anyone, regardless of their economic circumstances, has the opportunity to pursue a college education.

“I am honored to be endorsed by Senate Majority Leader Ruiz,” said Congressman Payne. “She has fought tirelessly to increase access to opportunity at all levels of public education, and as the highest ranking Latina Senator in New Jersey’s history she has been a trailblazer for so many who will follow in her footsteps. I am grateful to have her working with me at the state level to pass legislation that will make a real difference for families in our communities.”

Congressman Payne has recently been endorsed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, New Jersey Education Association, the Communications Workers of America NJ, Laborers’ International North America Eastern Region, the New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association and AFSCME NJ. He also recently announced the support of U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker as well as Governor Phil Murphy, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop.

About Congressman Payne: 

A lifelong Newark resident, Congressman Donald Payne, Jr., is a champion for working families, Democratic values, and fighting to provide more opportunities for people in black and brown communities. He’s a devoted husband and father and a former union member with a blue collar background who has an immense respect for the dignity of work and the value of organized labor. A five-term Congressman, he was first elected in 2012 to succeed his late father, the legendary Rep. Donald Payne, Sr., who was the first Black Congressman in state history. Congressman Payne is Chairman of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials in the powerful House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, which has jurisdiction over major infrastructure initiatives including the Gateway Project that are critical to New Jersey’s economy. Congressman Payne co-wrote the House version of President Joe Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure act and has supported critical progressive legislation like the Build Back Better plan, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, the Equality Act, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and much more.

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