Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka, John Hsu for Congress, Piscataway Council Members Leibowitz and Rashid, CAIR Action NJ, and Food and Water Action join NJ Working Families Party and NJ Citizen Action PAC backing progressive slate in Ward Council Primary

Piscataway, NJ - The challenger slate of Democrats for Piscataway’s Ward Council seats announced their full list of endorsements, officially adding John Hsu, Congressional candidate for CD-6 and Piscataway At-Large Council Members Laura Leibowitz and Sarah Rashid to the growing roster of progressive leaders and grassroots organizations. Progressive Democrats Shantell Cherry for Ward 1, Elizabeth “Betsy” Aumack for Ward 2, Viola Stone for Ward 3 and Rashaad Couloote for Ward 4 released an endorsement from Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka last week. Mayor Baraka carried Piscataway in the Gubernatorial primary, and had been endorsed by the Piscataway Progressive Democratic Organization in that race.

Last week, the Democrats Putting Piscataway Working Families First slate also received endorsements from CAIR Action NJ, the 501c4 dedicated to enhancing the civic engagement, political participation, and impact of the American Muslim community in local, state, and federal elections. The slate also received backing from Food and Water Action, a national organization that works to protect people from destructive economic interests that put profit ahead of everything else. Previously, the slate had been endorsed by NJ Working Families Party and NJ Citizen Action PAC, two of the leading and progressive, grassroots organizations representing labor, community, environmental and other advocacy organizations.

“We are thrilled to have such strong support from a diverse array of exceptional leaders like Mayor Baraka, Council Members Leibowitz and Rashid, and John Hsu for Congress,” said the slate in a joint statement. “We are grateful to have earned the endorsement of critical grassroots organizations working on the issues we care about, including CAIR Action NJ, Food and Water Action, NJ Citizen Action PAC and NJ Working Families Party.”

“Democratic voters want working family fighters, not Do-Nothing Democrats, in office. The incumbents in Piscataway have refused to address ICE activity, have helped shut down No Kings events, vilified teachers and continue to build warehouses and data centers, even though voters have made it clear they want a change. They have done nothing to solve the water issues at our parks, including the fecal contamination at Riverside Park and the fish kill at Columbus Park. Our neighbors deserve responsive elected leaders who can solve local issues and support the national work to protect democracy. We are glad to be providing a choice to voters in the June 2 primary,” they said.

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