“Stronger and Fairer” Starts with Equity in State Contracting 

“As a candidate for the U.S. Senate in New Jersey, I champion core values that include ensuring equal opportunities for all citizens, especially our small business owners.”

“I was appalled but not surprised by the results of the New Jersey State Disparity Study released on January 23, 2023. After six years of the Murphy Administration, the disparity study concluded what everyone has known for decades: state contracts go to mainly white male-owned firms, while qualified Black, Hispanic, Asian, and women-owned companies get crumbs, leaving billions of government contracts on the table for wealthier and influential firms.”

“As a U.S. Senator, I will fight at the federal level to provide equal opportunity in federal contracts and in banking to give our small entrepreneurs and businesses the chances they deserve to grow and prosper. It is a policy that is good for the nation and it’s good for our economic stability. After all, it is small businesses and the workers they employ that were the engine that drove our economic recovery during and after the pandemic.”

“In New Jersey, I call on Governor Phil Murphy to use his executive power to immediately put in place policies in each state department to establish contract goals for women, minorities, and other underrepresented communities. The disparities identified in the State’s report reveal that New Jersey is “stronger and fairer” for some, but not all its business owners.”

“We need action to help minority and women entrepreneurs achieve parity in state government contracting across New Jersey.”

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