LATINO LEADERS: MENENDEZ HAS SHOWN SUPPORT FOR OUR COMMUNITY, HUGIN A TRUMP CLONE

New Brunswick, NJ – With two weeks left until Election Day several leading Latino organizations, including Latino Action Network, NJ Coalition of Latino Pastors and Ministers, and Hispanic American Political Action Committee released the following statement to remind voters that Bob Hugin has never and will never support the Latino community:

“The stark-contrast between Bob Menendez and Bob Hugin could not be clearer. Throughout the entirety of his career, Senator Bob Menendez has shown his unwavering commitment to our community, while Bob Hugin has aligned himself with the bigotry, hatred, and xenophobia spewed by Donald Trump.

“As a member of the ‘Gang of Eight’ in the Senate, Bob fought to pass compassionate, comprehensive immigration reform, and he has consistently stood up for Dreamers to give them the opportunity they deserve to stay in the only country they recognize as home.

“Long before Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico; Bob Menendez had been a voice for our people. There is no coincidence many Puerto Ricans refer to Bob Menendez as Puerto Rico’s Senator in Congress. Bob flew to the island right after the hurricane hit and came back to work for Puerto Rico’s recovery.

“From working to secure millions of dollars in federal funding for public education, fighting to provide millions of New Jerseyans with quality, affordable healthcare, and staunchly opposing the Trump Tax Bill that hurt working and middle class families, Bob Menendez has proven he’s on the right side of the issues for Hispanic Americans.

“Bob has also proven to support and empower Latinas throughout the nation. Now more than ever, the voices of Latina women need to be heard at the voting booth, because we need to make sure we send representatives like Bob Menendez back to Washington to stand up to President Trump and continue fighting for our families, our children, and our future.

“Bob Hugin has proven to be no different than Donald Trump. When Donald Trump has gone against our community, Bob Hugin has been silent. When Donald Trump called Mexicans murderers and rapists, Bob Hugin donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to his campaign. When he unilaterally rescinded DACA and TPS, Bob Hugin stood by him. When Donald Trump threw paper towels to the people of Puerto Rico, Bob Hugin said nothing. Bob Hugin has never supported us and he sure won’t stand up for us in Congress.”

Collectively, these and other organizations represent the needs and voices of Latinos living in New Jersey which make up 18.7% of the state’s population:

• Dominican American Council of NJ

• Forum Latino Coalition

• Latinos Transportation PAC

• Latino American Democratic Association (LADA)

• Latino Action Network (LAN)

• Latino Democratic Leadership Alliance of Passaic Co

• NJ Coalition of Latino Pastors and Ministers

• Hispanic American Political Action Committee

• Colombian American Congress

• Dover First

• Peruvian American Coalition of New Jersey

• Peruvian American Political Organization

• Colombian Political Association

• Latino Coalition for Dignity