NJ Progressives Joint Statement on the Democratic Primary

A coalition of progressive labor unions and organizations—including Rutgers AAUP-AFT, Make the Road Action, New Jersey Citizen Action, New Jersey Working Families Party, and SEIU 32BJ, among others—that came together to endorse Newark Mayor Ras Baraka in this year’s gubernatorial primary issued the following statement:

This year’s gubernatorial race marked the beginning of a new era in New Jersey politics.

For the first time in decades, voters had a real choice—free of the “county line” on the ballot—and they used it. Turnout surged to levels we haven’t seen since the 1980s, proving that when democracy actually works, people show up.

We have long been allies fighting for the advancement of working-class people in New Jersey. Over the past eight years of the Murphy…