Our Revolution New Jersey is backing Joel Brooks in the Jersey City Ward B council race due to showing a lifetime commitment to progressive values, the group said today.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“A long time labor organizer for several major unions, Joel has a lifetime of commitment to the kind of progressive values that Jersey City and New Jersey need to move our communities forward,” ORNJ State Organizing Committee Member at-Large Patricia Campos-Medina said in a statement.
Joel was an organizer for Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign and has spent his professional life advancing working families issues as an organizer in the labor movement.
He is currently a staff member at Health Professionals and Allied Employees (HPAE) union.
Brooks is running a grassroots campaign and has previously pledged to reject any campaign contributions from real estate developers and corporate landlords.
“Joel has been a fighter on fair housing, tenants’ rights and opposing the unfair tax burden on Jersey City’s working people, while real estate developers do not pay even a fraction of their fair share,” added ORNJ State Organizing Committee Member Joan Farkas.
“Joel’s history of organizing and advocating for people of all economic, ethnic, and racial backgrounds is especially well suited to represent Ward B on the City Council.”
ORNJ was formed in 2016 and has successfully advocated for candidates across New Jersey and for issues such as earned sick leave, a $15 minimum wage, opposing a partisan gerrymandering bill, and many others.
ORNJ is currently focused on eliminating the state’s current ballot design which allows incumbents to award candidates “the line,” where studies have shown that these candidates have a 35 percent unearned advantage.
Another top priority for ORNJ is advocating for Medicare For All, leading the fight for single payer through passing nine local Medicare for All Resolutions, organizing community events and holding public demonstrations throughout the state.
As for Brooks, he is currently in a head-to-head matchup with Ward B Councilwoman Mira Prinz-Arey in the non-partisan November 2nd municipal elections.
