Democrats in New Jersey are energized in this primary election by the six strong candidates that ran for the nomination of the Democratic Party to be our next governor. Each candidate had a strong platform and message to their voter base. Some had a progressive agenda, some were more moderate and some even more conservative. And that is the beauty of elections without a county line; all candidates get to speak directly to voters and make their case encouraging them to participate in our democratic process.

This is the Democratic Party; a large tent of different ideas and opinions about how government should work. But at the core of these different ideas is what makes us Democrats. We are united in our belief that we are the party that cares. We care about the workers who labor each day to earn enough to make life better for their families. We care about a fair economy where the rich pay their fair share so that the cost of health care and education is affordable for all. We care about those who need social security protected and pension and disability benefits sustained. We care about affordability in housing, energy bills, health cost and education.

We care about freedoms guaranteed by the constitution that protect human rights. Those rights being attacked each day by a Republican administration in Washington DC following a scripted game plan to diminish individual rights through executive orders that challenge our democratic separation of powers and by attacking our most vulnerable communities. As one of the original 13 colonies, New Jersey knows the importance of fighting united against a king, an authoritarian leader set on ignoring the basic premise of state rights in our Republic. NJ helped write the American constitution and in November we must fight to protect it again against those attacking our freedoms.

During the primary, Democrats showed their strength in New Jersey by going to the polls with a today count of 785,145 voters compared to less than 454,605 Republican voters. We came out strong for our candidates because they stood for Jersey values. While republicans stayed home rather than support Trump’s handpicked puppet; Jack Ciattarelli. The man who was against Trump a few years ago but now is “100% MAGA.”

The six democrats who ran in the primary gave it their all and energized their base and our party came out as the winner. It’s time now to put aside all the differences in approach and unite behind our nominee, Mikie Sherill, with all the same energy we gathered during the primary because our core values remain the same; we are the party that cares about our families, our schools, our businesses, our communities and our personal freedoms.

Mikie Sherill is ready to take on Jack Citarelli because she understands that building a stronger economy, fully funding our schools, and creating safe communities where our children can play and thrive, alongside ensuring our businesses succeed, is essential for helping all families thrive. She believes in investing in the future of our community. She is committed to tackling big issues head on — to build a New Jersey that invests in all families and stands with our union brothers and sisters to create good jobs, invest in our small businesses, and make our public universities more affordable.

New Jersey is critical this year to getting back on track to a more caring and democratic country. The future of New Jersey and the country depends on a united campaign as Democrats.

Just like 13 colonies helped unite us and defeat the King, all candidates and party activist need to unite and help defeat the cruel policies of the “want to be King.”

And it the process, let’s also make history and elect the first woman as NJs next Democratic Governor. Yes, we can!

By Patricia Campos-Medina, a labor leader and former candidate for US Senate in NJ. Follow her on social media at @DrCamposMedina