Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle proudly announces that she has earned the support of Tenafly Councilwoman Lauren Dayton for State Senate in District 37.

Councilwoman Lauren Dayton issued the following statement in support of Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle:

“Assemblywoman Huttle has demonstrated that she is one of the most consummate public servants and state legislators of our time, finding groundbreaking, innovative and pragmatic solutions for our community.

Assemblywoman Huttle has focused her work on our most vulnerable and voiceless populations:  the elderly, survivors of domestic and sexual assault, those with addiction and mental health needs, members of the LGBTQ community, human trafficking victims, and our children.  Assemblywoman Huttle has fought for oversight and transparency in government while ensuring taxpayers have accountability in spending.  She is an advocate for the protection of our environment and for progressive action on climate change.

Throughout her distinguished legislative career, Assemblywoman Huttle has been a trailblazer on behalf of the LGBTQ community, sponsoring the anti-bullying bill of rights as well as legislation to allow transgender individuals to amend their gender identity on their birth certificates.  Assemblywoman Vainieri Huttle has also authored New Jersey’s inclusive LGBTQ school curriculum law, as well as recent legislation to protect LGBTQ residents in long-term care facilities from discrimination.

Assemblywoman Huttle advocates for the protection of women in our community, women’s rights and access to healthcare.  She sponsored the groundbreaking and innovative Reproductive Freedom Act, which seeks to protect reproductive freedom and removes barriers for birth control, pre-natal and pregnancy care, including abortion.  She has addressed the alarming rise of domestic violence and sexual abuse with comprehensive legislation to protect the rights of survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, improve law enforcement responses, require judicial case management and training, and to codify anti-harassment and discrimination policies throughout state government. Assemblywoman Huttle understands the complexity of trauma and survivorship and has advocated for legislation that puts survivors first.

Assemblywoman Vainieri Huttle has also been at the forefront of fighting back against the unfortunate rise of hate crimes, white supremacy and anti-Semitism in Bergen County.  As Chair of the Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee, she has been outspoken against the violent, hate-based acts in our community. She passed legislation to give our places of worship the resources that they need to increase security.  As a Jewish woman in politics, I commend the Assemblywoman for these efforts and hope to work with her to lessen the insurgency of hate in our community.

Assemblywoman Huttle has been an accessible, compassionate and responsive leader for Tenafly and Bergen County.  Her humanity, empathy, and impressive legislative career should be recognized and celebrated as an example of the type of leadership that is best to serve others.”