Redd announces run for Camden Mayor

by: Jason Springer

Sat Feb 07, 2009 at 02:52:54 PM EST

Redd was joined by elected officials from around the state including Senator Bob Menendez, Congressman Rob Andrews, Speaker Joe Roberts, Newark Mayor Cory Booker, State Senators Teresa Ruiz and Jim Beach, Assemblywoman Nilsa Cruz-Perez and more.

One by one, they praised Senator Redd for the woman she is, the work she has done and the work she will do as the hopeful future Mayor of Camden. Mayor Gwen Faison didn't endorse Redd, but was there on stage at the start saying:

"I'm the mayor that made Camden work. I'm here today because the city is bigger than me. My heart is with Camden. ...I am here to support anyone who will help the City of Camden. That is my statement."

Senator Menendez returned from the stimulus debate this morning in Washington to endorse Senator Redd. He compared her to President Obama, saying he believes she will be a fantastic Mayor. He pointed to her great relationships, as evidenced by the people in attendance, who can bring people together to get the job done.

Congressman Andrews pointed to the differences in neighborhoods on each side of the park. First he talked about the redone Roosevelt Manor section where Dana helped push through an Affordable Housing project. Then he talked about the Branch Village section, which still needs a great deal of work to give people the safe streets they deserve.  Andrews said Dana will not just take credit for the work she's done, but recognize changes that still lie ahead.

Senator Ruiz said the her support for Redd was bitter sweet because their loss in the Legislature would be a great win for Camden. Speaker Roberts said flatly, "I Love Dana Redd".

Newark Mayor Cory Booker was on fire, talking about how this slate of leaders for Camden represented the Joshua generation standing on the shoulders of those who came before them. He talked about his ten year friendship with Redd and how she didn't talk about her personal struggles, but the problems facing Camden. Booker mentioned her profound vision and said she is a woman of faith, hope and a light so bright that she casts away shadows. He then endorsed and introduced Redd to a rousing ovation from the crowd.

Senator Redd talked about how she wants to make Camden the shining urban anchor of New Jersey.  She said that no longer can the fight ward against ward, leader against leader, or black against Hispanic. Talking about her personal story as a forty year resident of Camden, she recognized the current situation facing the city:

"We are a city of many cultures, with a rich and unique history that we all should be very proud of," Redd said in announcing her candidacy at Elijah Perry Park. "At the same time, our eyes must be wide open to the many serious problems we face. We have been ranked as one of the nation's poorest cities - with too much crime, too few jobs, insufficient housing and sub-standard education denying us the quality of life we all deserve. But we are NOT poor in spirit, in talent, or in the desire to restore, rebuild and stabilize our neighborhoods."