The Harvard College Democrats are supporting progressive activist Imani Oakley in the 10th District congressional race where she is looking to unseat U.S. Rep. Donald Payne, Jr.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“This endorsement came out of the blue but was such a pleasant surprise!,” Oakley began in a statement.
“I was intrigued when I looked over the Harvard Dems’ endorsements, which include fellow progressives like Greg Casar (TX-35), Jessica Cisneros (TX-28), Summer Lee (PA-18), and Odessa Kelly (TN-05), but also include some incumbents, like Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), and even some better-known more mainstream candidates, like Beto O’Rourke and Stacey Abrams for governor of Texas and Georgia, respectively.”
Oakley has the backing of the likes of Roadmap for Progress, FutureGen PAC, four local Sunrise Movement hubs, Black Lives Matter activist Zellie Imani, Mt. Rainier Vice Mayor Scott Cecil, Maplewood Mayor Dean Dafis, and former progressive presidential candidate Marianne Williamson.
“I realized, looking at this slate of candidates, that the Harvard Dems did not choose lightly. These students took into account both the platform and profile of the candidates themselves, and they applied it to local conditions,” she said.
“This tells me that young Democrats are savvy, they’re not afraid of research, and they understand that regional political context makes all the difference. I’m incredibly proud that our race has met their high standards!”
The Democratic primary is on June 7th, with Akil Khalfani, an Essex County College sociology professor, also a declared challenger in the race.
