Linda Baer endorses Valerie Vainieri Huttle for Senate

Former Bergen County Freeholder Linda Pollit Baer has endorsed Valerie Vainieri Huttle for the open State Senate seat in the 37th legislative district.

A former judge, Baer is the widow of Byron Baer, a civil rights leader and Freedom Rider who served in the State Assembly from 1972 to 1994 and in the State Senate from 1994 until his resignation for health reasons in 2005.  She once served as an aide to New Jersey Senate Majority Leader Bernard Dwyer (D-Edison).

“I’ve served in all branches of government and I know how important it is to elect qualified lawmakers into our legislature,” Baer said. “Valerie’s record of accomplishments speaks for itself from Anti-Bullying Laws, Human Trafficking Prevention to landmark support of LGBTQ issues. I trust she would continue with the same quality and caliber in the Senate.”

She said that being married to Byron Baer helps her understand “first-hand what it takes to do the job.”

“Valerie exemplifies everything we need in representing our entire District 37 family,” Baer said.

Vainieri Huttle and Johnson are facing off for the seat of Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg.  Weinberg, who announced her retirement this month, won Byron Baer’s Senate seat in a 2005 special election convention.

“This selection is historic, and I urge all fellow committee members not to rush to a conclusion until all candidates have time to present themselves, their platforms and most importantly are fully vetted and can withstand the scrutiny of a campaign,” said Baer. “With Valerie we would be replacing Bergen County’s only female Democratic Senator in the state’ s largest county with another qualified woman.”