Why I'm supporting Jeff Gardner

by: Jeff Doshna

Thu Mar 24, 2011 at 11:30:43 AM EDT

Are you in? promoted by Rosi

Last week, I posted on my FB wall that I was supporting Jeff Gardner's primary campaign -- in particular the Money Bomb going on today. A friend -- a fairly progressive person in her own right -- sent me a note asking why would I spend money on someone who isn't in my own district. Wouldn't my dollars be better spent helping local candidates (myself included) in Flemington and Hunterdon County.

On the surface she's right. Democrats -- let alone anyone willing to call themselves a progressive -- don't have the easiest time in my part of New Jersey. We need all the help we can get. If I forego my Venti Skinny Vanilla Latte, shouldn't that $5 be invested locally? more below

Jeff Doshna :: Why I'm supporting Jeff Gardner

But when you look at this race, you have to think about the incumbent, John Girgenti. Girgenti voted no on marriage equality, which for me is a big deal. Any Senate Democrat who voted no -- when we had a Governor ready to sign the law -- is persona non grata in my book.

John Girgenti received $30,000 in campaign contributions from employees of the PVSC -- and the attorney general is looking into it.

And part of my motivation is to support someone closer to my own age than my mothers who is willing to run. (Girenti was a Young Democrat before I was even born.) Also, people outside Flemington supported my run for mayor last year -- including Democrats 2000 -- and I feel a certain responsibility to pay it forward.

But the real reason for me is that Jeff Gardner is a better candidate.

And at the end of the day, that's all that matters.

Tags: featured, jeff gardner, Money Bomb, Tick tick BOOM, NJ-35, nj senate, Girgenti, (All Tags)

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Why I'm supporting Jeff Gardner | 3 comments

Joey & I just contributed (4.00 / 1)

and the sun came out, the daffodils popped out lemon yellow, and a fresh warm breeze drifted through the room:

Change ...

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.

by: Rosi Efthim @ Thu Mar 24, 2011 at 17:52:02 PM UTC

by: you @ soon

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Quite an image (4.00 / 1)

That's quite a springlike image, Rosi. All the great news and voices of support for Jeff certainly feel that way.

by: Alex @ Thu Mar 24, 2011 at 17:57:28 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

A very good point about supporting (4.00 / 1)

good candidates in districts other than your own. When a state senator is elected, that person has a LOT of power. Power to vote for things that will eventually affect your district, but also power to stop good things, worthy things from ever being done for the entire state, or good folks from being appointed from your district to do things that benefit the whole state.

It is all connected, and while I am from district 39 now, I wholeheartedly support Senator Weinberg in District 37, and will be absolutely thrilled to see Jeff win in his district.

They speak for me, because the Senator from my district - 39 doesn't.

In this era of corporate "free speech" (translated - tons of money from the Koch brothers or local Pay to Play cash from Joe Ferriero's buddies at the PVSC) when beholden state senators in Wisconsin could loot the treasury and devastate the middle class so quickly, EVERY state senate seat counts. EVERY LAST ONE.

Do we want a candidate in the General election that is linked to convicted felon Joe Ferriero and the Pay to Play patronage mill that Christie is (quite rightly) delving into right now? Or do we want an honest hardworking State Senator skilled in labor law in other words a TRUE Progressive?

Knowing Jeff firsthand through all the tough fights in LD37 when he was always showing his support even though he lived in a different district - I know without a shadow of a doubt that if elected, unlike Girgenti, Jeff will work hard for ALL residents of NJ.

One Vote. Yours. It really does matter.

by: carolh @ Thu Mar 24, 2011 at 18:47:10 PM UTC

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Why I'm supporting Jeff Gardner | 3 comments