In bitterly contested primaries, 13 of 15 Garden State Equality-endorsed candidates win

by: Steven Goldstein, Garden State Equality chair

Wed Jun 06, 2007 at 12:37:12 AM EDT

How Garden State Equality's endorsed candidates did: 

District 31 (Hudson County)
Sandra Bolden Cunningham for Senate - WINS
L. Harvey Smith for Assembly - WINS 
Nicholas Chiaravalloti - LOSES

District 32 (Hudson County)
Joan Quigley for Assembly - WINS 
Vincent Prieto for Assembly - WINS 

District 33 (Hudson County)
Brian Stack for Senate - WINS 
Ruben Ramos for Assembly - WINS
Carrie Rodriguez for Assembly - WINS 

District 28 (Essex County)
Cleo Tucker for Assembly - WINS

District 29 (Essex County)
Teresa Ruiz for Senate - WINS
L. Grace Spencer for Assembly - WINS
Wilfredo Caraballo - LOSES 

District 37 (Bergen County)
Loretta Weinberg for Senate - WINS
Valerie Vainieri Huttle for Assembly - WINS
Gordon Johnson for Assembly - WINS
[In this closely fought primary, their opponents dropped out before tonight.]

"As tonight's results show, ending discrimination in marriage is not only the correct position to advocate," said Steven Goldstein, chair of Garden State Equality, "but it's also the politically beneficial position in our progressive state.  Never in the history of New Jersey has advocacy for LGBT rights ever been a political liability, and that certainly holds true tonight." 

Garden State Equality, along with the New Jersey Stonewall Democrats and the Hudson Diversity Action Council, were united in their endorsements of tonight's pro-marriage equality victors.  In the Hudson County races, Garden State Equality congratulates the Hudson Diversity Action Council for its tremendous grassroots work. 

In the most closely fought Democratic primary in the state today, Sandy Cunningham defeated Assemblyman Lou Manzo for state Senate in the 31st district in Hudson County. 

"When candidates stand by us, we're as loyal as any community in the state," said Barbra Casbar Siperstein, president of New Jersey Stonewall Democrats.  "When they turn their backs on equality, they're going to pay the price." 

In the 33rd legislative district in Hudson County, the insurgent team headed by Brian Stack for Senate, and Carrie Rodriguez and Ruben Ramos for Assembly, beat the legendary Hudson County Democratic Organization in an overwhelming victory.  All had the strong support of Garden State Equality, Hudson Diversity Action Council and New Jersey Stonewall Democrats. 

In Essex County, Cleo Tucker won her Assembly race in the 28th district, and Teresa Ruiz and L. Grace Spencer won for Senate and Assembly respectively in the 29th district.  They had the endorsements of Garden State Equality and New Jersey Stonewall Democrats. 

The biggest loss of the night for civil rights supporters, including the LGBTI community, was that of Assembly Speaker Pro Tem Wilfredo Caraballo.  After a dispute with local Democratic leaders, he ran alone, not on any ticket, and had an extraordinarily uphill battle. 

"Our love for Fred Caraballo is profound.  He's been one of the most brilliant, compassionate and effective civil rights champions in all America," said Steven Goldstein, chair of Garden State Equality.  "He has given his life to help the disinherited, disenchanted and dispossessed.  He's too talented and too wonderful a man not to have another chapter in his public service career, and we are excited to work with him in whatever capacity in the years ahead."

In Bergen County, Senator Loretta Weinberg, a hero to the LGBTI community who has sponsored every major LGBTI civil rights law in her 15 years in the legislature, won, as did her equally terrific running mates, Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle and Assemblyman Gordon Johnson.  Just a few weeks ago, their primary looked like it would be the hottest primary of the year.

But in a grassroots victory for labor and progressive organizations, Loretta, Valerie and Gordon's opponents dropped out in April.