Making New Jersey's Legislature More Progressive-- One Step At A Time

Last month we met New Jersey progressive activist Jeff Gardner who was subsequently endorsed by Blue America for a run against corrupt, conservative state Senator John Girgenti. There have been some developments since then. The New Jersey redistricting commission did Jeff's job for him, essentially deep-sixing Girgenti's disgraceful political career by removing his base, Hawthorne, from his senatorial district. He won't be running for reelection; good riddance!

Jeff, who also lives in Hawthorne, is now in the in the newly configured-- and vacant-- 38th Assembly district. He's going to run for that seat and this week he's working to convince a majority of the County Committee members in Bergen County that he's the right man for vacant seat. The decision will come down Sunday at the Bergen County Democratic Committee. As Jeff put it yesterday, "Either I walk out the Democratic candidate for the State Assembly, or our drive to bring more progressive Democrats to Trenton is over." 

I spoke with Jeff this morning and he's as fired up now as he was when he started his quest to make the New Jersey legislature more progressive and more responsive to regular working families. "Although my district boundaries might have changed, my strong democratic values remain the same. I will continue to fight for strong progressive ideals-- protecting a worker’s right to organize and a woman’s right to choose, and fighting to finish the job on marriage equality. Governor Christie needs strong Democratic voices willing to stand up to his bullying tactics. I will be that strong voice advocating progressive policies if you help send me to the State Assembly."

You can still donate to Jeff's campaign on our Blue America page.