Jersey City Police Officers Benevolent Association (POBA) is supporting Rob Menendez in the 8th District congressional race, calling him “a long-time friend of the law enforcement community.”
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“We are proud to endorse Rob Menendez, a long-time friend of the law enforcement community who will advocate for our officers in Washington,” Jersey City POBA President Det. Joe Cossolini said in a statement.
“Rob is committed to ensuring that police officers are supported and provided with critical resources for the purpose of reducing crime and protecting our city. Rob recognizes the value of community policing, and the importance of facilitating conversations between police officers and the communities they serve. Our members look forward to helping elect Rob to Congress and working together for the betterment of Jersey City residents.”
The Jersey City POBA represents over 700 police officers in city and is the state’s largest local independent law enforcement union.
“Trust between our police officers and the community is critical to keeping our neighborhoods safe and continuing to improve our police-community relations,” Menendez noted.
“I am grateful for the Jersey City POBA’s endorsement and trust in our campaign. We must make sure that the police have the resources and support they need to keep our communities safe, while also bringing police officers and local residents together on the vital issue of criminal justice reform. We need to meet this moment together, and we will.”
Menendez is the frontrunner to succeed U.S. Rep. Albio Sires, who is retiring at the end of this year after eight terms in the House.
A lawyer, Port Authority commissioner, and the son of U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Menendez has the backing of various labor unions, along with the Democratic establishments in Hudson, Essex, and Union Counties.
Nevertheless, he still must defeat David Ocampo Grajales and Ane Roseborough-Eberhard in the June 7th primary to make it to the general election in November, which Democrats typically win by at least a 4-to-1 margin in the navy blue 8th District.
