SMITH, EGAN & DANIELSEN SECURE DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE SUPPORT IN MIDDLESEX & SOMERSET COUNTIES FOR JUNE 8TH PRIMARY

(Piscataway,NJ) Democratic State Senator Bob Smith, Assemblyman Joseph V. Egan and Assemblyman Joseph Danielsen secured the support of the Middlesex County Democratic Committee members in Milltown, New Brunswick, North Brunswick and Piscataway at last evening’s 17th Legislative District Convention for their candidacy. After a moment of silence to honor the passing of former Freeholder Blanquita Valenti, Chairman Kevin McCabe kicked off the convention. The trio of veteran legislators were presented and resoundingly endorsed by the committee members many of whom signed their petitions that will be submitted to the Secretary of State later this month.

Senator Bob Smith was nominated by his hometown Mayor Brian Wahler of Piscataway seconded by Sheriff Mildred Scott. Assemblyman Joe Egan was nominated by New Brunswick Mayor Jim Cahill seconded by former Freeholder Dorothy Power. Milltown Mayor Trina Mehr nominated Assemblyman Joe Danielsen with the second coming from North Brunswick Democratic Chairman Rich Zangara. Following the speeches and votes Chairman McCabe remarked, “Senator Bob Smith and Assemblymen Egan and Danielsen represent the best of public service. From stewarding our environment to standing up for our schoolchildren and our working families, they have led on the issues important to our state. Vice Chair Moskowitz and I are proud to have them run with the Middlesex County Democratic Organization on this year’s elections and we look forward to helping them win this year.”

The 17th District also includes Franklin Township in Somerset County. Earlier this month the Somerset County Democratic Committee, under the leadership of Democratic Chairwoman Peg Schaffer, held their convention headlined by Governor Murphy. The highlight of the evening was Franklin Mayor, Phil Kramer, nominating Smith, Egan and Danielsen with a rousing original poem supporting the legislators’ candidacies in a most unforgettable way. The nominations were seconded by the Franklin Democratic Chairman Ron Jordan.

With extensive state and local experience Smith, Egan and Danielsen have been at the forefront of expanding paid family leave and raising the minimum wage to $15 and are always working to create new sustainable jobs for New Jersey’s hard working families. They are experts at securing state funding for district improvement projects such as the new arts center in New Brunswick, the Community Center in Piscataway, and the North Brunswick train station currently under design. Throughout the pandemic, the legislators have worked to pass legislation to support the residents of our state. These uniquely qualified legislators have a wealth of experience, a tireless work ethic and a commitment to improving our citizens lives in the Garden State.

Bob Smith is considered one of the State’s leading environmental lawmakers and recognized nationally as both an environmental and energy expert. He is the Chairman of the Senate Environment and Energy Committee, a member of the Judiciary Committee, the State House Commission and the Natural Lands Trust. Smith served as Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Economic Growth Standards and the Joint Committee on Government Consolidation and Shared Services. Over the decades Smith has authored landmark legislation to ensure that the Garden State is cleaner and greener.

Egan, Business Manager of Local 456 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, was a long time councilman and council President in New Brunswick before his election to the State Assembly. He is the Chairman of the Assembly Labor Committee and a member of the Telecommunications and Utilities Committee. For over a decade he has served as Deputy Majority Leader. Egan is a leader in creating new jobs as well as stricter workplace standards to protect the health and safety of working men and women.

Danielsen, Assembly Majority Deputy Whip, is a longtime progressive democratic community leader. He serves as Chairman of the Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee and sits on both the Military and Veterans Affairs Committee and Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee. Danielsen is a small business owner and U.S. Army Veteran who fundraises for Childhood Cancer Research and for the Wounded Warrior Project. He has been a leading voice in Trenton for education funding, better services for seniors and veterans, women’s rights, tax credits for small businesses and led the fight to expand medical cannabis by making it more accessible to those in need and to legalize marijuana.

The primary election is on June 8th. This is a Gubernatorial Election year with the Governor topping the ticket and both houses of the New Jersey Legislature on the ballot.
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