Tamara Harris, Candidate for Congress from New Jersey 11th District, Calls for Resignation of Mendham Deputy Mayor Rick Blood Over Use of Racist Comments

(Mendham, NJ — February 12, 2018) Tamara Harris today joined with New Jerseyans who oppose racism and bigotry in calling for the resignation of Rick Blood, Deputy Mayor of Mendham, for racist and inappropriate comments on his social media platforms.

Blood repeatedly referred to undocumented immigrants as “illegals” and compared them with animals that needed extermination. Only after his comments came to light through journalists’ reports did he apologize.

“Deputy Mayor Blood’s comments were deplorable and prove that he is not fit to hold public office at any level,” said Harris, a Democrat from Verona who is running to represent the 11th District in Congress.

“All human beings, regardless of their immigration status, deserve dignity and respect. No person is “illegal” and people, no matter where they come from, are not animals. His comments are not only reprehensible, but represent an attitude that would be economically devastating to New Jersey, as our economy would lose $1.6 billion per year if Republicans got their way and were allowed to start deporting Dreamers.

“It is clear that Deputy Mayor Blood is unfortunately taking his cues from President Trump, as both of them would rather spew harmful rhetoric than do the real work of replacing our broken immigration system with a safer and more accountable system that includes a path to citizenship for immigrants.

“There is no place in government leadership for those who harbor such abhorrent and dangerous sentiments. Deputy Mayor Blood must do more than apologize; he must step down immediately,.” says Tamara Harris, Candidate for Congress (D-NJ-11).