Bonnie Watson Coleman-- A Fierce, Proven Independent Voice For New Jersey

Bonnie with Alan Grayson

As you probably know, Blue America has recently endorsed progressive state legislator Bonnie Watson Coleman to succeed Rush Holt in New Jersey’s 12th congressional district. We've joined with the PCCC, the Women’s Campaign Fund, PDA, progressive leaders like Keith Ellison and Raul Grijalva, as well as New Jersey Democratic officials throughout the state because we all know we have a tenacious and proven fighter in Bonnie-- the kind of leader that Washington DC needs.

After being urged to get to know her by Barbara Buono, I spent some time with Bonnie and her staff last week at an Alan Grayson event on the East Coast. As I mentioned already, Blue America is proud to support her because when Democrats in New Jersey needed a leader, she stood tall for them. She never buckled in the face of Chris Christie’s bullying, when corrupt politicians in bother parties were trying to undermine Barbara Buono’s gubernatorial candidacy. She was state campaign chair for Buono for Governor while her opponent in the race was running ads that favored Christie! Bonnie stands for equal rights, voters’ rights, and civil rights.

"Bottom line," she told us, "we need to protect Social Security just like we need to protect our seniors. That is our moral obligation. Not tricking them with proposals, like the chained CPI, that are so convoluted only to mask the fact it hurts seniors rather than helps. How does one rationalize decreasing cost of living adjustments for seniors who are on fixed incomes?"

Bonnie passionately spoke on the Statehouse floor in support of marriage equality when many were silent. And when the time came for New Jersey to abolish the death penalty once and for all, she proudly voted to do so, when her main opponent voted to keep the barbaric practice in place. She led the fight to raise the minimum wage in New Jersey, and reformed the re-entry process for those once incarcerated within the prison system. She is the strong progressive who will stand up for our shared values; she is the voice that will not back down. We have a friend in Bonnie, whether it is holding the Tea Party accountable or working to expand critical programs like Social Security and Medicare.

Yesterday, Mothers Day, she told her supporters "I would not be where I am today without the unconditional love and support of my mother. She taught me strength, compassion, and service. I am truly blessed to have had her and all the other inspirational and exceptional women in my life. Notwithstanding, I look at how far women have come, and how far we still need to go. Even with all the advances that women have fought for and achieved, women are only paid about 77 cents to a man's dollar. Some blame women’s occupation choice for the disparity, but I call it what it is-- inequality. I believe that we should be building an economy that works for everyone. When I am elected to Congress, I will fight for pay equity and an economy that allows our daughters to have the same opportunities for success as our sons. I hope you take this time to let all the women in your life know how much you appreciate the work that they do."

Bonnie can’t get to Washington without us. It's all about the June 3 primary and there is no way the DCCC is going to help a progressive win that race. It's up to the grassroots. We need principled Democrats leaders in Congress to accomplish that, Democrats with a progressive vision like Alan Grayson, Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders. This race is well within reach, and we need to get on board to make sure Bonnie has the resources to win. Please click here to join us and stand with Bonnie.