Over 100 Democratic leaders and voters urge MCDO Chair McCabe to Address Concerning Party Behavior in Piscataway
Piscataway, NJ – Today, a delegation of Piscataway Democrats attempted to hand deliver an open letter to Middlesex County Democratic Organization Chairman Kevin McCabe at the MCDO’s Edison office. Unfortunately, no MCDO representatives were available at 9:00 AM.
The letter is signed by over 100 concerned Democratic Party leaders and voters, asking Chairman McCabe to use his influence as MCDO Chairman to rectify the antidemocratic behavior of the Piscataway Democratic Mayor, Brian Wahler, and his allied Council members. Piscataway County Committee Member Gina Register asked for a meeting with the Chairman, as well.
The letter reflects the growing concern of Democratic voters in Piscataway, a deep blue and diverse community, in the County and around the state that the Piscataway Democratic Organization and its elected officials are excluding At-Large Council Members Laura Leibowitz and Sarah Rashid, two progressive members of the Township Council, and failing to support Shantell Cherry, the Democratic nominee in the Township’s Ward 1 race. These three female leaders are from underrepresented, marginalized and vulnerable constituencies, and deserve support - not silence - from the Party.
Municipal Party chairs,County Committee members, former elected officials and voters from Piscataway and all over the Garden State signed the letter, which details the erasure and potentially discriminating behavior being leveled at these women and urges Chairman McCabe to use his power as County Chair to ensure that the will of voters is being represented. “Silencing elected officials denies voters their right to be fully represented by the elected officials they chose. The ongoing erasure of two female elected officials from historically marginalized communities reflects poorly on our Party and its leadership,” the letter states.
The PDO has declined to endorse Ms. Cherry, who won the June Democratic Primary against incumbent Frank Uhrin, and has not included her in any campaign materials. Signs for the PDO's candidates refer to "the Mayor's Team" and include three Democratic incumbents who are uncontested in the November election. A copy of the sign, which is also featured on the PDO's website, is included in the letter. Ms. Cherry is the only Democratic candidate in the Township with a Republican challenger.
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