Democrats in Allentown and Freehold Township have endorsed Rep. Andy Kim (D-Moorestown) for U.S. Senate.
The endorsements come two days before the February 10 Monmouth County Democratic convention to award the organization line.
“Since redistricting, Congressman Kim has shown up and fought for solutions to the issues facing Allentown while in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Allentown Borough Democratic Committee is confident that Congressman Kim will continue to effectively address our kitchen table issues, protect our fundamental freedoms, and give a voice to municipalities, both big and small, in the U.S. Senate,” said Allentown Municipal Democratic Chair Kemani A. Scott.
Haven Franklin, the Freehold Democratic Club president, said the endorsement follows Kim’s 94% win in a straw poll conducted at their meeting last night.
“The overwhelming support for Congressman Kim among our members signifies our confidence in his ability to serve with distinction in the U.S. Senate,” Franklin said. “His dedication to addressing the critical issues facing our community and nation sets him apart as a candidate of exceptional caliber.”
Kim faces First Lady Tammy Murphy, former Newark school board member and civil rights leader Lawrence Hamm, and activist Patricia Campos-Medina.
Freehold Township has 37 votes in Saturday’s convention, and Allentown have five. The endorsement indicates where the two municipalities will go, but doesn’t mean Kim will get all 42 votes.
“We cannot be fooled into believing old-school machine politics will solve the issues we face today,” said Scott. “We need forward-thinkers and changemakers in the U.S. Senate and Andy Kim is the only candidate in this race to get the job done.”
The Freehold Township Democratic Municipal Chair, Meg Thomann, said that Kim’s “ approach to leadership, characterized by effective legislation, deep international experience, and a genuine commitment to public service, aligns perfectly with the kind of representation we need in these challenging times.”
“His record speaks volumes about his readiness to tackle the issues that matter most to New Jersey voters,” she said.
Click HERE to read Joey Fox’s breakdown of the Monmouth Democratic convention.