Our Revolution Trenton Mercer Endorses Jason McSheene for Hamilton Township Board of Education

TRENTON –  Our Revolution Trenton Mercer (ORTM) today endorsed Jason McSheene, PhD for Hamilton Township Board of Education in the November 8th general election. As the Mercer County chapter of the nationwide Our Revolution network, this endorsement reinforces the already popular incumbent’s re-election campaign.

Dr. McSheene thanked the group: “I am honored to receive the endorsement of ORTM! I thank ORTM for continuing their support of working families and their vigilance on issues that impact our students. As a current Hamilton Township School Board member seeking re-election, I hope to continue my record of encouraging STEM/STEAM [science, technology, engineering, arts, and math] participation and fostering safe, inclusive schools for all students.”

He is completing his first term on the Hamilton Board of Education, and is currently the only African-American member. Jason has spent his time on School Board leveraging his background as a research scientist to promote and improve STEM/STEAM opportunities in Hamilton schools. He has also put an emphasis on equity in the town’s education system, and inclusivity for marginalized students. This is particularly relevant given the ongoing campaign from reactionary, right-wing political groups to politicize and demonize LGBTQ+ youth and teachers, against evidence-based best practices and scientific studies.

Jason’s priorities can be found on his Facebook page. Some highlights:

• Advocating for all students, particularly those from marginalized communities who need it most

• Adoption of appropriate health standards that do not take us backwards

• Upgrading and improving the state of Hamilton Schools’ aging infrastructure

• Improving talent acquisition, retention, and the overall well-being of teachers

• Growing and developing STEAM capabilities in Hamilton Schools

Jason is one of two incumbents (Dina Thornton) running for re-election. Pamela Kelly, the third incumbent, is not running for re-election. 10 candidates are running for three seats. This race drew statewide/national attention when it was discovered that a school board candidate, Nick Ferarra, made hateful and antisemetic comments on social media. He dropped out shortly after this came to light. His slate-mates, Monica Quaste and Stacy Byrne, remain in the race. The other candidates are Alicia Ramos, Chris Drudy, Dallas Barr, Frank Summers, Rocco Riccio, and Stephanie Williams.

QUOTES:

Joe Marchica, Founder/Chair of ORTM and elected Mercer County/Hamilton Township Democratic Committee Member:

“School board elections across the country, unfortunately, seem focused on a slanderous campaign against “groomer” teachers and LGBTQ+ youth reminiscent of the 1980’s Satanic Panic. These concerns are similarly fictional, and defy all evidence-based best practices for education and public health. In the face of this hateful rhetoric, it is crucial to find champions like Dr. McSheene to stand up for the most marginalized among our children, and make sure our schools are inclusive and equitable for all Hamilton students.

Jason has also been excellent on other important issues. He has emphasized planning needed, environmentally-conscious improvements to ailing school infrastructure, and providing mental health services for students and staff in-need. Jason’s experience provides unique insight, and his priorities put Hamilton’s youth first. I’m thrilled we voted to endorse him.”

Melissa DeFelice, Hamilton parent and ORTM member: 

“Jason understands the importance of evidence-based actions. As a scientist himself, he knows how to read the research, minimize his individual bias, and make decisions based on the facts. He also puts the well-being of students first. He understands that not all students are the same type of learner, and that how you learned may not work for all.

From his respectful and receptive interactions with voters this election season, it’s easy to tell he has no political agenda. He seeks the humanity in all people in Hamilton, regardless of political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, or any other form of identity. Hamilton would greatly benefit from giving McSheene another term, to allow him to continue listening, learning, advocating for the marginalized, and putting students first.”

Leadership of the ORTM Elections Committee: 

“ORTM’s Elections Committee was very impressed with Jason. He has been a great incumbent member of Hamilton’s Board of Education, continuing to have open and transparent conversations with any and every Hamiltonian. Taking into consideration today’s zeitgeist, we were happy to have a board member take a stand for our LGBTQ+ students and racial minorities in an election where there are some reactionary candidates that are either downplaying or passively encouraging the nationwide threats against these communities. Jason is the candidate to stand up for our teachers and students for a greener and more forward thinking Hamilton Board of Education.”

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ABOUT ORTM: Our Revolution Trenton Mercer [County] is a grassroots organization within the Our Revolution national network. ORTM supports progressive candidates and policies at all levels of government. This includes a recent effort that helped over 20 local progressives win new seats on the Mercer County Democratic Committee this past June.

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 this Thursday, 10/20 at 7 PM on Zoom, and hosts happy hours and other social events frequently. Visit bit.ly/ORTMercer for more information, including links to social media accounts.