Update on Jeff's Gardner's Senate campaign

by: Rosi Efthim

Tue Mar 22, 2011 at 02:53:08 PM EDT

Hey, Blue Jerseyans, I just wanted to give you all a brief update on Jeff Gardner's white-hot and grassrootsy campaign for Senate.

A little background: Right now, of course, this is a primary campaign; Jeff is running against the 30-plus year incumbent John Girgenti. The legislative district, as it now stands, is LD-35. We don't know yet how redistricting will shake out for Paterson and the surrounding areas that now make up the district (Jeff testified last month). But as it happens, Jeff and Girgenti live in the same town: Hawthorne. Jeff was once an active volunteer for Girgenti, who was both state Senator and Hawthorne's Democratic municipal chair. But last June, Jeff challenged Girgenti for that chair. And Jeff's win was a huge upset for the powerful Girgenti, a slam-dunk grassroots victory for Hawthorne Dems, and the real start of the changes yet to come.

Jeff's national DFA endorsement: Jeff's been a statewide leader for Democracy for America-NJ (DFA-NJ) since its start. I'm totally bragging on my friend to say it's been my privilege to work alongside him there since Howard Dean started DFA 7 years ago. Jeff's success is now a huge national priority for DFA. And tomorrow, DFA Chair Jim Dean (yes, Howard's brother) will be at Jeff's campaign office for a press conference at 2:30pm, and after a big canvass goes out for Jeff, will headline a fundraiser for Jeff. (Jeff's campaign HQ)

Fantastic post about Jeff in Down With Tyranny: If you don't know Jeff or his history, Howie Klein's very supportive words are a great intro. And he gave Jeff the opportunity to post at his national-readership site. If you already know Jeff, it's all just a great read.

Jeff Gardner has a question for Chris Christie: Why did the governor head to Little Falls and Wayne to tour flood-ravaged areas, and skip over Paterson, one of Jersey's largest cities?

Raising money for Jeff: John Girgenti's had 30 years to build up a war chest. Jeff's campaign is built on grass/netroots organizing. Read up on Jeff, now a district, state and even national progressive priority. Send a message to Trenton that you want real Democrats in the State House. Back Jeff with some money - any amount you can give matters. And I'll make it easy: we're 2 days away from Jeff's Money Bomb Day - Thursday. (RSVP for Jeff's Money Bomb here).