A group of progressive leaders released a statement endorsing Assemblywoman Vainieri Huttle for the LD37 Senate seat being vacated by Senator Loretta Weinberg, who opted against seeking re-election.

Among the signees are Garden State Equality’s Christian Fuscarino, GSE founder Steven Goldstein, Katie Brennan, CWA’s Hetty Rosenstein, and BlueWave NJ’s Marcia Marley.

The endorsement is as follows:

We, the undersigned, proudly and publicly endorse Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle for State Senate in District 37.

Together, we represent a diverse coalition of progressive leaders in New Jersey. We are leading the state forward in the fight for women’s rights, LGBTQ equality, environmental and racial justice and the rights of workers.

Assemblywoman Vainieri Huttle stands on the frontlines with us for each of these causes, she listens and she acts. She is a formidable candidate and will be an outstanding State Senator.

As progressive leaders, we want to see New Jersey continue to move forward. Senate Majority Leader Weinberg was a giant in the Senate, she was a strong champion for equality and democracy, her voice will be sorely missed in Trenton. With her retirement, we believe that it is imperative that Senator Weinberg be succeeded by a progressive champion who will continue to fight for all of us.

Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle is that progressive champion. Assemblywoman Vainieri Huttle has led the fight to defend access to reproductive healthcare and to safeguard reproductive rights, she has worked to improve protections for sexual assault and domestic violence survivors and to advance conservation efforts in the state. Assemblywoman Vainieri Huttle has also led New Jersey’s efforts to combat human trafficking and to advance protections for the vulnerable, specifically seniors and individuals with developmental disabilities.

As progressive leaders in New Jersey, we greatly value the work of Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle, we know that as State Senator, she will continue to fight for policies that empower our communities and create the real, long-lasting change that we need.

We believe that there is no better ally, no better champion for progressive values than Assemblywoman Vainieri Huttle. Valerie’s leadership and record make her the ideal candidate for State Senate in District 37. We, therefore, enthusiastically endorse Assemblywoman Vainieri Huttle for State Senate in District 37.

Signed,

Hetty Rosenstein

Phyllis Salowe-Kaye

Christian Fuscarino

Patricia Teffenhart

Marcia Marley

Sue Altman

Estina Baker

Helen Archontou

Steven Goldstein

Lauren Albrecht

Roxanne Sutocky

Katie Brennan

Uyen Winn Khuong

Axel Torres Marrero

Wesley McWhite III

India Hayes Larrier

Javier Robles

Erin Chung

Aaron Potenza

Michele Liebtag

Yarrow Willman-Cole