Lisa Mandelblatt, a Democratic candidate for the Seventh Congressional District, criticized U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance for failing to speak up for constituents in his district who would be crushed by the Republican tax plan under consideration in the House.

The GOP plan would raise taxes 25 percent next year and 40 percent over the next decade for families earning between $100,000 and $200,000. The average family in New Jersey’s Seventh District earns just over $150,000, according to the U.S. Census.

“Instead of standing up for his constituents, Congressman Lance is standing with his party,” Mandelblatt said. “Let me be clear – if this tax scheme passes in its current form, working families in the district will be absolutely crushed.”

Mandelblatt noted that the GOP tax plan hits residents of the Seventh District particularly hard.

The plan raises taxes 36 percent next year and 58 percent over the next decade for families earning between $200,000 and $500,000, while raising taxes just 3 percent for families earning more than $5 million.

“This is classic squeezing of the middle class, while letting the rich off the hook,” Mandelblatt said. “Families who earn $200,000 are not wealthy in the Seventh District. In many cases, these are working, dual-income families who are already struggling to pay taxes, struggling to save for their retirement and struggling to save for their children’s education.”

Mandelblatt said residents of the Seventh Congressional District need someone in Washington who will fight for their interests.

“If elected, I will not idly stand by while the pockets of working families are being picked,” Mandelblatt said. “I will fight for the working families in the Seventh District.”