TRENTON —  Our Revolution Trenton Mercer (ORTM) endorsed Assemblyman Dan Benson for Mercer County Executive ahead of the March 5th Mercer County Democratic Convention, where primary election ballot positioning on the County Ballot Line will be awarded. As the Mercer County chapter of the nationwide Our Revolution network, this endorsement adds grassroots support and progressive momentum to an already robust campaign.

Accepting the endorsement, Benson said: “I am proud to receive the endorsement of Our Revolution Trenton Mercer.  Their support will help us get our grassroots message of change out into the community.   As County Executive, I look forward to working together, as we reform our county government to increase openness and transparency.  Together we can build a Mercer County that works for all of us, and does not leave anyone behind.”

Assemblyman Benson has served 12 years in the State Assembly, where he has a demonstrated record of advocating for progressive issues and working families in New Jersey. He has supported Medicare For All, access to reproductive care, ending the stigma of mental illness and drug recovery, and restorative justice practices in our schools. He is running for County Executive to bring a greater level of accountability, innovation and collaboration to Mercer County, and create a county-level government that is open and works for everyone.

ORTM Chair Brady Rivera said: “ORTM is excited to bring in new, innovative leadership to Mercer County. With a focus on making Trenton socially and economically strong, Dan will bring his experience from the Assembly to Mercer County. As a member of the Assembly Budget and Health Committees, and chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee, Dan will bring much needed knowledge and ideas to move our county forward and improve the lives of our residents.”

ORTM Elections Committee Chair Kadja Manuel said: “As the new Elections Committee chair of Our Revolution Trenton Mercer, I’m happy to announce that we endorse Assemblyman Dan Benson for Mercer County Executive. Dan is a dauntless fighter for the working class, marginalized communities, and our planet. We celebrate his unwavering solidarity. Assemblyman Benson marks the beginning of a new generation of progressive leaders taking charge in New Jersey. Our Revolution Trenton Mercer is here to help Assemblyman Benson reach the finish line.”

Some of Benson’s priorities as County Executive would include:

• Collaboration with the County’s 12 municipalities;
• Seeking federal competitive dollars, especially for accelerating lead line replacement for Trenton Water Works and improving resilience against climate change;
• Cleaning up our county finances to make them more transparent and stronger to expand service delivery;
• Electrifying our county fleet and expanding charging infrastructure at our county facilities;
• Using the most up-to-date flood maps to ensure that development reviewed at the county level is held to the highest environmental standards;
• Using open space dollars to make strategic purchases that reduce flooding;.
• Supporting non-police responses for people having mental health crises;
• Providing county-wide funding to fully cover lead remediation, including resident-owned service lines, requiring only approval from the residents; and
• Expanding county-level direct aid programs for residents most in need, including a Guaranteed Income Pilot.

Benson is running against 20-year incumbent Brian Hughes; both candidates sought ORTM’s endorsement and participated in ORTM’s County Executive Candidate Forum on February 16.

Ballot placement on The Line for primary ballots will be decided by the County Party endorsement at the Mercer County Democratic Convention. Placement on The Line has been shown to be decisive in the vast majority of elections, carrying an average advantage of 35% of the vote. The Convention will be held on Sunday, March 5th at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, at 102 Carnegie Center Drive, West Windsor (off Route 1 North). Convention registration will begin at 2 PM, and will be gaveled to order at 2:45 PM. The public is encouraged to attend. Only elected officials, Democratic County Committee members, Municipal Democratic Club Presidents/Vice Presidents, affiliated caucuses and organizations, and 25 County Chair diversity picks are eligible to vote.

ORTM encourages any progressive candidates for elected office in 2023 who are interested in endorsement to reach out to ORTrentonMercer@gmail.com.

“As a member of ORTM with over a decade of experience working in County Government, I see Dan as a transformative leader that will bring about an era of governmental transparency and ethics that Mercer County desperately needs. Our endorsements aren’t just about checking off a list of policy positions – it’s about candidates demonstrating that ORTM members will be seen, heard, and collaborated with from day one. If elected, Dan Benson will do just that.” said Eric Puliti, ORTM member and Vice-Chair of the Lawrence Democratic Municipal Committee.

“Not only does he profess a strong platform, but Dan seems open to discussion and change. It’s important to be adaptable to meet the fluid needs of Mercer. These characteristics, combined with his grasp of the issues, make him a good leader for these times. I look forward to the kinds of changes that will bring sustained progress and equity in Mercer.” said Aparna Chowdhury, ORTM member.

ABOUT ORTM: Our Revolution Trenton Mercer is the grassroots, Mercer County Chapter within the Our Revolution national network. ORTM supports progressive candidates and policies at all levels of government. ORTM’s policy priorities include voting rights issues like the Better Ballots NJ Campaign, making healthcare a human right via Medicare for All, police accountability legislation, and halting the escalating climate crisis.

ORTM will hold its next Meeting on Thursday, March 16th at 7 PM on Zoom. Visit bit.ly/ORTMMeeting for more information.