MONTCLAIR, NJ – NJ 11th for Change announced today that it has endorsed Mikie Sherrill for the U.S. House of Representatives seat in the 11th Congressional District of New Jersey.

After a comprehensive process including candidate questionnaires, input from the Board of Directors and the group’s Endorsement Committee (including Town Team and project leads), NJ 11th for Change has determined that Sherrill meets its criteria for i) transparency, accountability and responsiveness with constituents; ii) clear positions reflecting the 11th District’s values and interests; and iii) positive impact on the district.

“We enthusiastically and with great hope endorse Mikie Sherrill for Congress. Throughout her entire congressional campaign, Sherrill has shown a sincere concern for all of the district’s residents and taken positions that we believe best reflect the district’s values of fairness, compassion, inclusivity and common sense,” said Saily Avelenda, Executive Director of NJ 11th for Change.

Of particular importance to the group’s decision was Sherrill’s commitment to hold regular Town Halls with constituents.

“Town Halls are an invaluable tool in our democracy, allowing individuals to question and hear from their representatives in a public forum,” said Avelenda. “As an organization that holds the core principle that constituents are entitled to transparency, accountability and responsiveness from their representatives, we look forward to Sherrill’s fulfilling her commitment to regularly hold open, public Town Halls.”

NJ 11th for Change believes that Sherrill best reflects constituents’ positions on issues like health care, gun safety and protecting women’s interests, as reflected in a 2017 poll commissioned by the group. For example, she has stated her support for universal background checks for gun purchases, abortion rights, and access to quality healthcare.

In contrast, Sherrill’s opponent, Jay Webber, has a voting history in the State Legislature that conflicts with the district’s priorities in these areas, and has taken positions that the group believes are divisive, destructive and not representative of constituents’ interests. Some of those include voting against Equal Pay for Equal Work, against marriage equality, against universal background checks for gun purchases and against funding for Planned Parenthood.

Throughout her campaign, Sherrill has made herself available to talk to constituents all over the district, listening and responding to concerns and questions from people with diverse perspectives. Webber, unfortunately, has displayed an unwillingness to engage with constituents who disagree with him, even going as far as blocking people on social media.

“After decades of being represented in Congress by someone who was unwilling to engage with his constituents and whose positions increasingly clashed with the 11th District’s values, the prospect of having a representative who listens to us, cares about what matters to us, and truly represents us is like a breath of fresh air,” said Jonathan Bellack, Chair of NJ 11th for Change’s Board of Directors. “We look forward to a transparent and productive dialogue with Mikie Sherrill, and will, of course, continue to hold her – and all candidates and representatives – accountable to representing the District’s needs and priorities.”

A detailed explanation of NJ 11th for Change’s endorsement process can be found here.

About NJ 11th for Change

NJ 11th for Change, Inc. is a grassroots, unaffiliated organization dedicated to advocating for all people of the 11th Congressional District. The organization promotes political transparency by monitoring the positions and voting record of its congressional representative, currently Rodney Frelinghuysen; by fostering productive communication between constituents and representatives; and by demanding public accountability.

The philosophy of NJ 11th For Change is rooted in the belief that decency and fairness is the public’s right, and it is committed to advancing common-sense policies that are in the best interests of all.

To learn more, visit http://www.nj11.org or http://www.facebook.com/NJ11thForChange