Piscataway, NJ - The Piscataway Progressive Democratic Organization (PPDO) today announced its endorsement for Assembly candidate Loretta Rivers, a Piscataway resident, local official and housing champion. Loretta, currently serving her first term on the Township Board of Education, is running to represent NJ’s 17th Legislative District, which includes Piscataway, North Brunswick, New Brunswick, South Bound Brook and Franklin (Somerset).

“Our grassroots, all-volunteer organization is proud to support our member Loretta Rivers for Assembly,” said PPDO Secretary Viola Stone. “Our district is one of the most diverse places in our entire state, and we deserve to have people who reflect our community and our values. When Loretta is in the Assembly, our residents will have a voice on the issues that matter, like housing affordability, government accountability and democracy.”

PPDO leaders said its volunteers will be knocking doors and communicating its support for Loretta and Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka, who the organization endorsed earlier this year. The group started in the wake of Trump’s first election, working to transform the Democratic Party. The PPDO has won multiple issue campaigns and legal challenges against the local Democratic political machine. For the first time ever, PPDO secured two council seats in last year’s election, the first without the County Line.

“With a fair ballot, candidates can run and win, and we know that Loretta can do just that. She has strong community ties and experience winning tough campaigns. We look forward to helping her become the first woman and the first person of color to represent LD-17 in our Legislature. We have made history before, and we can’t wait to do it again,” said PPDO Vice Chair and Piscataway At-Large Council member Laura Leibowitz.

“I am thrilled to be endorsed by this active and successful group of neighbors, of which I am proud to be a member, who have been working together for change in our community and our Party. I am grateful to have their support and look forward to serving the people of LD-17 when I am in the Assembly,” said Rivers.

Rivers is a dedicated nonprofit professional with over 20 years of experience developing and implementing programs that improve the lives of working families and underserved communities. A graduate of Emerge, an organization dedicated to empowering women and transforming political leadership, Loretta is passionate about advancing policies that respond to the needs of all New Jerseyans. She earned a B.S. in Public Administration and Social Services Professions from Kean University.

“Loretta’s compassion for her neighbors and enthusiasm for helping them will make her an excellent representative in our Legislature,” said Mindy Goldstein, PPDO Treasurer. “Unlike our current representatives, she will oppose attacks on our basic rights, like gutting the Open Public Records Act. She will stand with working people and our most vulnerable neighbors during this incredibly challenging time in our country’s history.”

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