Jersey City activist Katie Brennan has formally launched her Democratic bid for a state Assembly seat in the 32nd Legislative District, pledging to fight for affordability and government transparency.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Today, I am proud to announce my candidacy to represent my Jersey City and Hoboken neighbors in the General Assembly. As a lifelong public servant who has fought for affordable housing in Hudson County and across New Jersey, I pledge to make our state more affordable for everyone,” she said in a statement.
Brennan is currently serving as a member of the Journal Square Community Association’s Affordable Housing Task Force and is also a partner at BARO Strategies after working in Gov. Kathy Hochul’s (D) administration.
She made national headlines in October 2018 when she accused Al Alvarez of raping her at a campaign event for then Democratic gubernatorial candidate Phil Murphy in 2017.
Murphy’s campaign and the State of New Jersey reached a $1 million settlement in the matter in 2020.
“As a survivor of sexual assault, I pledge to be a fighter for those who feel forgotten by their representatives. As a woman who was unafraid to speak truth to power in her darkest days, I pledge to make our government more accountable and transparent. I look forward to a spirited campaign and to serving the people in Hudson County in Trenton.”
Brennan has become more politically active in Jersey City in recent memory, advocating for affordable housing in Journal Square and speaking in favor of Ward E Councilman James Solomon’s campaign kickoff for mayor last month.
She also went after former Gov. Jim McGreevey, one of Solomon’s mayoral opponents, explaining why his affordable housing plan was not tenable in an editorial.
For the time being, only her and Assemblywoman Jessica Ramirez, who is running on Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop’s ticket as part of his bid for governor, are the only declared candidates in LD-32.
Ramirez is widely expected to run with Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla with Assemblyman John Allen not seeking another term, though neither has publicly given any insight on their plans for 2025 just yet.
The Hudson County Democratic Organization will run two candidates of their own, though they have had a hard time recruiting in the largely anti-establishment district that includes Hoboken and Wards C, D, and E in Jersey City.
State Senator (D-33)/Union City Mayor Brian Stack and HCDO Chair Craig Guy, also the county executive, are leading the contingency backing U.S. Rep Josh Gottheimer (D-5) for governor over Fulop, despite him not being a declared candidate at the moment.
File this in the category of Really Bad News for Bhalla!
If Emily Jabbour wants to be Mayor she better announce ASAP (November 6?) and stop waiting for Bhalla’s permission.
If she runs, Bhalla won’t. Time to take the ball and run with it rather than let Bhalla keep playing her for a sucker.
Feel bad about what happened to her but she hasn’t learned. She’s back limping to the same dog that bit her, the Democrat Party. Guess the settlement and a job in NY under Hochul was the price.
I would never vote for this person