After enjoying a lunch with Libertarian US Senate nominee Murray Sabrin, Democrat Lisa McCormick expressed gratitude and complimented his gentlemanly invitation and graciousness, which stands in stark contrast with the primary election rival who has yet to acknowledge her in any way despite several overtures.  A bold progressive, McCormick finished the June primary race with 158,000 votes — a number that would have been a majority in all but two non- presidential Democratic primary elections in New Jersey since 1998. She released this statement:

“Murray Sabrin was far more gracious and kind than Senator Menendez, who lacks the magnanimity and class to accept my olive branch after the primary election. While I take his refusal to meet to discuss party unity as a petty action, this ignoble behavior is not less unacceptable than some other unbecoming and improper stunts we have witnessed from Senator Menendez.

“While Professor Sabrin has some very different ideas about government and its purpose than my own views, it was very good to know there are people in contention for the office with the integrity and dignity worthy of a representative in the United States Senate. Our political philosophy might be miles apart, but our shared values and respect for people are things we have in common.”

McCormick repeatedly expressed a willingness to meet the winner of the Democratic nomination to discuss a path forward toward party unity but her outreach to Menendez, the state Democratic Party and Governor Phil Murphy have gone largely ignored. Despite her strong performance in the election, some party insiders have ridiculed McCormick, but she contends that her success was part of a larger political revolution and said she will continue working to advance the progressive movement.

McCormick said she welcomes the opportunity to improve the quality of life for working middle class Americans, the habitability of our Earth and the destiny of humanity.

Murray Sabrin’s response to Lisa McCormick’s statement:

“I thank Lisa McCormick for her kind words and her time. It was a pleasure meeting her and sharing our ideas, both things we disagreed with and things we have in common.

“We both share respect for the freedom of political participation and, I think, a healthy distrust of a system that has become dominated by self-interest ahead of the interest of the country.

“As I lay out my vision you may agree here and disagree there, but you can be sure that, as I am an independent thinker and actor and beholden only to you, I will give your ideas and concerns a fair and respectful hearing.

“Again, it was a pleasure meeting with Lisa McCormick who has earned the support of almost 200,000 voters in New Jersey.”