UNION COUNTY LACKS DIVERSITY IN THE JUDICIARY 

Linden Mayor Derek Armstead today called out Senator Nicholas Scutari for his abysmal record in creating a county judiciary that reflects the wonderful diversity of Union County.  “Today there is only one African-American judge, two Hispanic judges and eight women judges out of 22 judges in a county that is 20% African American, 25% Hispanic and 51% female.  The math is simple but the results are cynical – a judiciary that fails the fundamental requirement of being representative of the community it serves” Armstead said. 

“In the 15 years – 15 YEARS! – he has served in the Senate, including a long time as Judiciary Chairman, Senator Scutari has never sponsored an African-American or Hispanic to serve on the Union County Bench.  The diversity we have is a result of the efforts of Senator Kean and former Senator Lesniak.  Sadly, one only has to look to the Senator’s record in hiring his own senate staff – he has never hired an African-American to work for him. EVER.  No Minority Judges.  What does that tell you?  What is Senator Scutari’s problem with people who don’t look like him?” Armstead said. 

Armstead went on to say, “Senator Scutari owes it to the 118,000 African-American, 150,000 Latinos and 280,000 women who live in Union County that the county judiciary reflects them, not just him.  Now I fully expect some of Nick’s fellow Senators who are African-American or Latino to come to his defense, which of course is their right.  But before they do, they should ask themselves would they tolerate a county bench so lacking in racial, ethnic, and gender diversity?  The answer is, or should be, a resounding “NO!”” 

Lastly, Armstead said, “I have a message for Senator Scutari: “Mississippi called, they want their bench back.”