Today, I’m announcing my run for New Jersey governor.
I was a union ironworker for years and became a public servant after my daughter was born with Down Syndrome.
She was the spark, inspiring me to fight for a better NJ.
Watch my announcement video⬇️
I'm truly appalled by the derogatory & hateful comments made today on the “Dennis and Judi Show” about NJ Attorney General Gurbir Grewal. Our residents shouldn't have to hear these types of crude remarks made over the airwaves regarding a person’s religious beliefs and practices.
Make no mistake, Jack Ciattarelli’s school funding plan would be a disaster for New Jersey’s public schools. Under
@PhilMurphyNJ
’s leadership, New Jersey is now home to the
#1
-ranked public education system in the nation.
We still have yet to see a full return of gyms and physical fitness institutions to the State of New Jersey. Fitness goes far beyond just your physical health, working out can also help your mental health. It is time to turn on the lights and reopen the
#gyms
.
We have
#flattenedthecurve
and can allow the businesses to return. We cannot afford to hinder the progress and the livelihoods of small business owners any further.
First & foremost, Shelia Oliver was my friend. She served the state of NJ with distinction & poise. As Lt. Governor, Assembly Speaker, & County Freeholder, she fought tirelessly for those who were marginalized & disadvantaged.
Labor unions were responsible for the 8-hour work day, weekends, workplace protections, unemployment insurance and the minimum wage. They built the middle class and raised both wages and standards for all workers. I'm very proud of my Labor roots, and all Labor has accomplished
The restaurants and bars around New Jersey cannot afford to face any more setbacks as they attempt to reopen and make a living. The people who have been most impacted deserve more transparency as decisions are made.
Governor Murphy has made increasing school aid a top priority, and he’s doing it fairly and equitably, ensuring that towns with growing enrollment get the money they deserve. That’s the best way to hold down property taxes. We need him for another four years.
#NJGovDebate
Honored to have US Sen.
@CoryBooker
with us at the Salem County Fair today. Senator Booker is a true friend to Salem County and all of South Jersey.
#SalemCountyFair
What happened to the restaurant industry this week was just wrong. The legislature will work to fix this and find ways to assist those who were adversely affected.
For two weeks, the amount of
#COVID19
cases has fallen in New Jersey. We have shown that we can find a balance between managing this virus and carrying on our day to day lives. It is time for the state to get back in business.
It is time for individuals to come together and treat one another with civility and respect. While you may not personally agree with the outcome of this year’s election, we must all put our differences aside and put in the work to build a stronger United States.
We need to make New Jersey a place where current residents choose to stay, where young people can have a future, and where businesses and people from other states want to move to, not away from!
We have
#flattenedthecurve
and, it is time for New Jersey to begin to return to life as we knew it. Our residents have been asking for this, and our businesses have been asking for this. Now is the time to embrace our path towards reopening.
HS grads should celebrate their academic achievements, the Gloucester County Superintendents have outlined a plan that could serve as a statewide model to hold graduation ceremonies.
@GovMurphy
, heed their call, seniors across NJ should have their graduation.
I’m excited to announce we’ve come to an agreement on a $15 minimum wage - this is a victory for the hard working people of NJ! As a decades-long champion for minimum wage increases, it's been an honor to have
@SpeakerCoughlin
&
@GovMurphy
join me in getting NJ workers to $15/hr
It is past time for New Jersey to reopen
#casinos
. We can’t continue to keep them closed, the region needs them open and the people have asked for them to open. They can return with safety and common sense, we are seeing other industries do just this Statewide.
The delay of the reopening for indoor dining in New Jersey has a severe impact on the workers who rely on these businesses for income. It is important to remain vigilant, but these workers and business owners deserve more transparency in the decision making process.
It goes without saying New Jersey has some of the best bagels you can find! Stop in to your local bagel shop today and pick one up for
#NationalBagelDay
It's sad, inexcusable & unacceptable to fill holes in a budget by cutting the
#SpecialOlympics
. The loss of inclusive sports for people w disabilities would be devastating to countless athletes & families, my family included - shame on you
@BetsyDeVosED
Please continue to wear a
#mask
or
#facecovering
when in public. This is to prevent asymptomatic spread of
#COVID19
, these measures are in place to protect all of us.
I urge everyone to keep a look out for Lincoln Walker, a 4-year old who was abducted in Salem City today. No family should have to live through this nightmare.
#AmberAlert
#BringLincolnHome
The curve has been
#flattened
and it is time for New Jersey to enter our new normal and get back to work. There are more sectors of the economy that stand ready and waiting to come back online.
Small business owners around the State will find creative ways to operate their businesses in a safe and responsible manner. Delaying them any further does not help them or New Jersey. Now more than ever is the time to listen and collaborate with our small business community.
I am looking forward to the opening of
@LeGrandCoffee
, owned by
@EricLeGrand52
! Eric, you have overcome incredible adversity already in your life & it is amazing to see you starting this new & exciting business venture.
Today we recognize our unique and captivating state on National New Jersey Day. There’s no other state I would want to call home!
#NationalNewJerseyDay
.
@KamalaHarris
will serve as a source of inspiration for women and minorities for generations to come. We will use this truly historic nomination to further advance the fight to bring true
#equality
to all.
The legislature will begin to put plans in place to find ways to reimburse the restaurant, bar, and catering businesses. They sacrificed their livelihoods and businesses for the public’s health. It was not right that they were forced to close again at the last minute.
Pre-K makes an undeniable impact on children’s lifelong academic success. I’m grateful
@GovMurphy
&
@DrLRepollet
share in my commitment to expanding access to Pre-K in
@WDeptford
and all of NJ.
There needs to be more clarity to the State’s reopening process. The erratic decision making is setting New Jersey’s reopening back further and we cannot afford this risk.
When spending time outside in NJ make sure that you are making use of personal
#PPE
items. We have a collective responsibility to continue to work together to stop the spread of
#COVID19
.
It is past time to see small and local businesses in New Jersey return to operations. They have put their minds together and have created plans that will safely allow them to resume business. It is time to put our faith in New Jersey.
Everyone should have comprehensive and affordable healthcare, they should be guaranteed earned sick leave and paid family leave and they should not fear of feeling sick or missing a single paycheck.
Today marks 158 years since Harriet Tubman completed her final mission on the Underground Railroad, evading capture & freeing slaves for 8 years. Tubman was also an armed scout & spy for the Union Army & a women’s suffrage activist. A true icon of courage & freedom
#Gyms
around the State have created plans that will allow clients to return and resume activities in safe ways. It is time to give these business owners the opportunity to return and provide for their families.
Congratulations
@CoryBooker
, we look forward to continuing to work with you to make life better for all of our state’s residents. Your leadership and empathy exemplifies the very best of what our state has to offer the nation.
While I often talk about my daughter Lauren being the reason I first ran for office, last week I sat down with
@myersgene
to lay out all the ways she changed my outlook on life. No matter where I am, or what office I hold, I will always be a loud voice for this community.
Allowing the voters of New Jersey to have a direct say on the legalization of marijuana this fall will offer them the chance to bring social justice and equality directly into their communities. It is time to allow the residents of New Jersey to weigh in on this issue.
.
@SenatorMenendez
served five years in the NJ Legislature before being elected to Congress. Former Governor John Corzine appointed him to the US Senate in 2006 where he became the first-ever Latino to represent NJ in the US Senate. Congratulations on another term in office.
This year the elections should allow for an early in-person voting schedule. In doing so, we can prevent potential congestion at the polls on election day and give those who wish to vote in person a safe and viable option.
We are making retirement more affordable in NJ by passing legislation that over a number of years will increase the amount of retirement income that is completely exempt from state taxes, including income from pensions, 401(k), individual retirement accounts & annuity withdrawals
We have both the opportunity and the responsibility to build upon our successes and face head-on the challenges before us. Thank you to my family and colleagues for giving me the privilege of serving a sixth term as New Jersey’s Senate President.
Today is
#WorldDownSyndromeDay
. My personal experiences with down syndrome and special education inspired me to get involved in politics and continues to be my driving force in Trenton.
I applaud
@RutgersU
for another breakthrough in the fight against
#COVID19
. By developing a way to potentially test 10,000 samples a day, NJ will be in a position to control and contain
#COVID19
.
I would like to congratulate
@SenatorScutari
for being sworn in as Senate President today! Congratulations Nick! I am confident that you will lead the Senate fairly and I know our legislature will be in good hands with you in charge. I wish you the best of luck going forward.
New Jersey deserves a raise. It's not right that New Jerseyans have to work 60-plus hours per week just to barely afford to put food on the table and keep the lights on. We need to raise the
#minimumwage
This is a progressive plan to elevate New Jersey’s minimum wage to $15 so that workers have a fair wage that allows them to support themselves and their families. This plan will put New Jersey in the forefront of the national movement to build a high-wage economy.
The well deserved Teacher Appreciation Week kicks off today, and it’s hard to imagine what New Jersey would be without our incredible teachers. I am constantly in awe of how many educators in our state go above and beyond for their students each and everyday.
#ThankaTeacher
As someone who fought to ban the R-word in government docs, I am appalled by Mayor Bonaccorso's slurs against intellectual disabilities. His repeated offensive language and actions show he cannot represent his community. We must stand against all forms of discrimination.
The opportunity to grow the offshore
#wind
industry in South Jersey will further assist the region's economic growth & development. This is a moment to innovate our economy with a sustainable industry while taking care of our state’s
#environment
for generations.
Renaming the
@NJDeptofHealth
building after Commissioner Judy Persichilli is a fitting tribute to the efforts that she has made to safeguard the health & safety of residents this past year. I am proud to call Judy a friend & I look forward to seeing her name on the new building.
I applaud
@SpeakerPelosi
and the
@HouseDemocrats
for putting working families, small businesses, health care workers, and others first amidst the
#COVID19
outbreak. We have to take care of those hurting the most at this time.
Yesterday, the Senate just wrapped up the final voting session of the 2020-2021 session, & my last day as Senate President of NJ. Over my last 2 decades of serving in the Senate, I have seen many major pieces of legislation become law & I could not be more proud of our work.
This will put New Jersey at the forefront of the Nation with a paid leave program that serves the needs of families & is good for businesses. Paid leave can ease financial burdens & provide peace of mind for working families at critical times in their lives.
Children who attend preschool see greater achievement than their peers and are less likely to drop out. Pre-K is vital for kids to reach their maximum potential, and we are committed to continuing to increase funding for pre-K.
The Bill of Rights was ratified today in 1791! The sources of our most fundamental freedoms like speech and religion. American society would not be the same without it! Do you know all 10?
#BillofRightsDay
#TodayinHistory
All of the educators, professionals and, most especially, all of the teachers who have devoted themselves to our children with special needs deserve extra praise. They are helping to make the lives of their students better and helping them reach their full potential.
As we entered the
#NewYear
, NJ officially retired the title of
#CountyFreeholder
after over 240 years of use. The transition to the title of
#CountyCommissioner
will redefine this public office and abolish an outdated term rooted in the practices of bigotry.
I am grateful for the unified support of my Democratic colleagues and proud to have the opportunity to continue to serve as Senate President with an extraordinary group of senators. We have real challenges ahead but we also have exciting opportunities to move New Jersey forward.
Little?? The Boss is larger than life and the most down to earth person you could meet. Not surprising
@realDonaldTrump
would take issue with a champion of the working class who genuinely cares for the people of this country 😒
In the wake of online videos that appear to show teachers union officials suggesting teachers should not report assaults against students, I, along w/
@SenMTeresaRuiz
& Sen. Madden, announced that the Senate Education & Labor committees will hold joint hearings to look into this.
New Jersey’s business community has sacrificed too much to see their hard work and livelihoods fall apart. It is time to work with them, follow the data, and responsibly get our small businesses back to work.
New Jersey’s small business community is looking for answers right now. I am working my hardest to help provide solutions at this time. New Jersey, stick together and have faith in one another.
My family was proud to have rescue family dog. Max brought us so much joy. We loved him from the moment he came home & miss him dearly since he passed. I encourage anyone considering making an addition to their family to please think about a rescue dog.
#NationalRescueDogDay
Congratulations,
@JoeBiden
&
@KamalaHarris
, on your historic victory today. It is time to come together as a nation and support our new
#President
and his team as we work to build a stronger United States.
Many businesses around the State await the opportunity to bring back their employees and resume operations for their patrons. It is time for
#data
and
#transparency
to become a part of the decision making process.
NJ has some of the best special education programs in the country. The teachers, paraprofessionals & volunteers involved do amazing work day in & day out & I have the utmost respect for the passion they have for helping children with special needs
#SpecialEduactionWeek
45 states provide retired state employees w/ health insurance, NJ is the only one where retirees don't pay the same or more than current employees for their coverage. Requiring new retirees to pay the same as they did when they were working could save NJ millions
#NJPath2Progress
In 2018, twice as many people moved OUT of New Jersey than moved TO New Jersey. Major factors being: cost of living, job growth, state budgetary challenges and the appeal of a warmer climate.
Yesterday the Senate approved S-3416, sponsored by myself,
@SenatorLorettaW
&
@VinGopal
. This bill preserve the rights of same-sex couples & LGBTQ families in NJ by putting into state statute protections for marriage equality established by court decisions.
We urge the administration to take into account all the public health factors and monitor if small businesses can open with an even increased capacity. While a partial return is helpful, these businesses will continue to face economic challenges at this time.
Large swaths of New Jersey were given the go ahead to reopen to the public. Nail salons and religious institutions will now be able to reopen and serve their communities again. Our voices have been heard and we are ready to move forward.
Yesterday we passed the Medical Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act. This was a personal & proud moment for me as a public servant - you should have the right to avoid needless suffering & agony. You should have the right to face death with dignity.
I am deeply honored to be re-elected to serve as New Jersey Senate President. I look forward to working once again w/ Senate Majority Leader
@SenatorLorettaW
, Minority Leader
@tomkean
, Deputy Majority Leaders
@NJSenatorSBC
&
@PaulASarlo
& Senate President Pro Tempore Teresa Ruiz
Passing the $15 minimum wage in 2019 was a landmark victory for NJ workers. Unfortunately, independent contractors aren't protected by minimum wage laws, which is why it we must pass S4204, to ensure employers aren't misclassifying workers & circumventing the minimum wage law
As we work our way to $15 an hour, today, the New Jersey minimum wage goes up to $11 an hour! This increase will make a tremendous difference to thousands of low wage workers around the state.
#Fightfor15
I welcome
@staceyabrams
to New Jersey today to sign legislation into law that will expand early-voting access for residents. In our state, we are proud to uphold and ensure folks can participate in this fundamental right.
@SenatorGil
@AndrewZwicker
Let’s take a moment today to honor our parents and acknowledge the sacrifices they’ve made for us. Being a parent has been one of my greatest adventures.
#NationalParentsDay