NJ Citizen Action Launches 2021 Legislative Endorsement Process

Newark, NJ – March 4, 2021 – New Jersey Citizen Action (NJCA) invites state legislative candidates to participate in its endorsement process for the 2021 primary election. The endorsement process is conducted by its Political Action Committee (PAC). The group also announces that Dr. Patricia Campos-Medina, has been elected the new Chair of its PAC.

Dr. Campos-Medina is a labor and political leader with deep roots with NJ progressive movements and a leading advocate for immigrant workers, women and the Latino community. She serves on the Board of several organizations focusing on the political empowerment of Latinas (i.e. LUPEPAC, LUPEAction) and is a board member of PODER PAC, a political action committee advancing Latina representation in the US Congress. She is also an Advisory Committee Member for Eleccion Latina/Ready to Run, a program of CAWP and a visiting fellow at the Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers New Brunswick.

“I am excited to support NJ Citizen Action efforts to amplify its advocacy through political action and education. Now more than ever mobilizing policy stakeholders to support issues impacting workers and the working poor is essential in creating policy that reduces income inequality, which has been made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on people of color,” stated Dr. Campos-Medina.

NJCA PAC’s endorsement process includes the following considerations:

1. The voting record of incumbent legislators on NJCA’s priority policy issues, including increasing access to affordable healthcare coverage, drivers’ licenses for immigrants, expungement of marijuana offenses, the millionaire’s tax, reducing or eliminating corporate tax subsidies, for-profit college accountability, student debt relief, voting rights, racial justice, and financial relief for families and individuals during the COVID-19 crisis.
2. Any outstanding leadership a Legislator provided to advance NJCA’s priority issues, or their role in advancing legislation opposed by NJCA.
3. The answers candidates provide on the 2021 NJCA State Legislative Candidate Questionnaire found here, which highlights candidates’ positions on NJCA’s priority 2021 issues. These include Covering All Kids legislation, Racial equality in Auto Rate Setting, re-organization of the NJ Public Advocate, Paid Leave emergency action during COVID, housing and utility assistance for the COVID impacted, income support for excluded immigrant families, support to expand tax fairness measures, prescription drug pricing reform, and much more.
4. Endorsement decisions for non-incumbents are largely based on the strength of candidates’ answers to the questionnaire. In some instances, an interview is conducted to gather more information about candidates.

“NJ Citizen Action is working to identify and amplify candidates that champion policies that provide low- and moderate- income families the support they need, especially during our current public health crisis. We need people in office who will stand up and lead on these critical issues,” said Liz Glynn, NJ Citizen Action Director of Organizing, who is working with the PAC Board to conduct the process.

NJCA’s candidate endorsements include outreach to media, partner organizations, allies, affiliates and 20,000 members throughout New Jersey. With expanded resources the organization is able to engage in various levels of direct voter contact by phone, text and door.

“NJCA has had a long-term commitment to advancing policies and programs that strengthen racial, social and economic equality. We evaluate candidates for their commitment to these issues and hold elected officials accountable for their promises. This process has created opportunities for stronger and more effective progressive leaders to be elected and fight for the needs of working families,” commented Phyllis Salowe-Kaye, NJ Citizen Action Executive Director.