Saily Avelenda, the Executive Director of the grassroots progressive organization NJ 11th for Change, is joining the re-election team for New Jersey Democratic State Committee Chairman John Currie and Vice Chairwoman Peg Schaffer. In her role as campaign manager, Avelenda will work to mobilize support among Democratic State Committee members and to connect with grassroots advocates, progressive leaders and other community organizations.

“Saily Avelenda is one of our state’s most impactful activists and she has a record of bringing Democrats and grassroot leaders together to fight for what’s right,” said Chairman John Currie. “Her determination to fight for progressive change is incomparable and Vice Chairwoman Schaffer and I are excited to see her join our campaign.”

Avelenda is a founding member of NJ 11th for Change. She previously served as the Senior Vice President and Assistant General Counsel for a North Jersey-based community bank. She played an integral role in flipping the 11th Congressional District from red to blue and electing Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill in 2018.

“Over the past three years, we have seen the best and worst of politics come to light across our country,” said Saily Avelenda. “While we see hateful rhetoric being spread from the White House, we’ve also been able to bring together progressive and grassroots leaders to help bring meaningful change to Washington and to our own communities. We were able to accomplish this last year in the New Jersey 11th Congressional District, but for us to continue this success we need strong leaders who are committed to bringing everyone to the table to work collaboratively for change. Chairman Currie and Vice Chairwoman Schaffer are the epitome of this type of leadership and I’m excited to work closely with them over the next two months so New Jersey can build on the progress we have made.”

“As we continue to diversify our party, it’s critical that we include individuals on our team who share our values and goals,” said Vice Chairwoman Peg Schaffer. “Saily Avelenda has proven to be one of the strongest activists in New Jersey committed to putting the best representatives in office. We are all enthusiastic about what is to come and everything we will accomplish together.”

Last December, Avelenda and her group were part of a coalition of progressive organizations that came out in support for Currie.

The NJDSC sent out the following email blast announcing Avelenda’s hiring:

‘We are so excited to welcome Saily Avelenda, the Executive Director of the grassroots progressive organization NJ 11th for Change, to the Currie-Schaffer team! As campaign manager, Avelenda will mobilize support among Democratic State Committee members and connect with grassroots advocates, progressive leaders and other community organizations.

We look forward to building even stronger ties with the communities who share our values in this fight. Saily Avelenda is one of our state’s most impactful activists, and she has a record of bringing Democrats and grassroot leaders together to fight for what’s right.

As a founding member of NJ 11th for Change, Avelenda played an integral role in flipping the 11th district blue with the election of Rep. Mikie Sherrill. In response to the White House’s hateful, divisive rhetoric and partisan power plays, Avelenda mobilized progressives and grassroots leaders to bring meaningful, positive change to our communities.

As we continue to diversify our party, it’s critical that we include individuals on our team who share our values and goals. Saily Avelenda has proven to be one of the strongest activists in New Jersey committed to putting the best representatives in office.

Today marks a big step in our campaign to continue leading NJDSC, and we are enthusiastic about what is to come and everything we will accomplish together.’