‘We Win When Women Vote’ Campaign Rallies To Unseat Leonard Lance
Women Unite to Unseat Leonard Lance
The We Win When Women Vote campaign plans outreach to women voters to help flip the New Jersey 7th Congressional District
New Providence– Local women and grassroots leaders gathered today to rally and urge women of the 7th Congressional District to unseat Republican Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ-7) and elect Democratic challenger Tom Malinowski. Democrats have a chance to take control of the US Senate and House in the upcoming midterm elections and in New Jersey five incumbent Republican House seats are up for grabs. Like other congressional races the contest for the 7this very close, and women can make the critical difference.
“The blue wave is coming to the 7th Congressional District, and it is female,” said Margaret Illis of NJ 7 Forward. “Republicans in Congress have repeatedly attacked women on a host of policies ranging from health care to reproductive rights to equal pay. Congressman Lance has not stood up to these attacks, voting in line with the Trump administration 87 percent of the time. On November 6th the women of this district will remember how Congressman Lance and the GOP have betrayed us.”
Leonard Lance has repeatedly voted to defund Planned Parenthood and has voted to restrict insurance coverage for abortion while failing to back legislation for equal pay, paid family leave, and improving early childhood education. He voted 60 times to repeal the Affordable Care Act and did not support efforts to improve the Violence Against Women Act. Hediscounted Dr. Christine Blasey’s Fords assertion that Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her in high school.
“Women are the driving force behind the midterm elections and drive Leonard Lance right out of Congress we will,” said Elizabeth Meyer, founder of Women’s March New Jersey. “Lance, who has masqueraded as moderate, yet marches in lock step with Trump, has failed to protect women from the Republican agenda intent on chiseling away our rights. His support of Brett Kavanaugh and his disregard for Dr. Blasey Ford were the match in the powder barrel. Women in CD7 are fired up and working tirelessly to usher new leadership into our district. Leonard Lance, you have 19 days to pack your bags.”
“We’ve seen ten years of failed leadership under Leonard Lance on issues of high importance and priority for women,” said Neena Singh of STAND Central New Jersey. “And after the 2016 elections everything has gotten worse, inspiring women like me to join the Women’s March and mobilize other women around our causes. We need congresspeople and a House that supports women and Tom Malinowski is that candidate.”
“Equal pay for equal work, paid family leave, support for planned parenthood and the Violence Against Women Act, these are some of the policies that can protect women from injustice and violence, and lay the groundwork for equality,” said Lillian Duggan co-founder and president of Westfield 20/20/. “Leonard Lance cannot and will not help us advance these policies; Tom Malinowski can and will.
“These past two years have been a constant attack on women, workers and immigrants in this district,” said Nedia Morsy of Make the Road Action. “We’re here to say that Rep. Lance will continue to act in lock step with Trump and enact legislation that will hurt our community. And in that time, immigrant communities and black and brown communities have mobilized. Together, we created a movement moment that led us to one of the most intense races in the country.”
The need to resist the Trump administration has been a galvanizing force for women leaders and activists who have sought to mobilize other women and in some cases seek elected office themselves.
“Women have been under continuous attack by President Trump and the GOP, who have sought to dismantle and defund our rights,” said Montgomery Committeewoman Sadaf Jaffer. “This election is about values and Tom Malinowski has shown his dedication to women’s rights and human rights throughout his career. I trust him to advocate for the rights of women in this district and throughout the United States.”
The groups assembled today have been out since 2017, registering new voters and building grassroots support for Malinowski. They will canvass every weekend until election day and will gather in homes all over the district to mail postcards, call and text women to vote.
“Congressman Lance has had ten years to stand up for women and our priorities in Congress and he’s failed women,” said Dena Mottola Jaborska, Associate Director of New Jersey Citizen Action. On November 6th we urge women if the 7th Congressional District to exercise their power and use their vote to elect the candidate who will stand up for women and women’s priorities. That candidate is Tom Malinowski.”
The group has posted information on Congressman Lance and Tom Malinowski positions on key women’s issues at Www.whenwomenvotewewin.com
