Trenton, N.J. – LD24 State Senate candidate Steve Lonegan has issued the following statement concerning State Board of Education nominee, Mary Bennett:

“It is heartening to learn that the New Jersey Senate Education Committee will not be taking action today on the nomination of Mary Bennett, Governor Phil Murphy’s choice to succeed a conservative on the State Board of Education.

“Bennett needs a thorough vetting by the Legislature. The democratic ideals of transparency and open government demand it.

“Her involvement in an organization – as a member of its governing board – devoted to the use of brutal instruments like the forced busing of school children from school districts funded by the property taxes of their parents, to districts paid for with state income tax dollars, is concerning and should be further examined.

“So too is Ms. Bennett’s failure to disclose her involvement with that organization – the New Jersey Coalition for Diverse and Inclusive Schools (NJCDIS) – on her official questionnaire. It has been reported in various media that this is an infraction punishable by criminal sanctions. This is very problematic.

“In my humble opinion, it is time for the leaders of the New Jersey Senate to signal to Governor Murphy that the withdrawal of this nominee would be in the state’s best interests.”

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