Three law enforcement officials are calling out past statements made by Democratic congressional candidate Sue Altman that they construe as anti-police.
The officials, all supporters of Rep. Thomas Kean, Jr. (R-Westfield) in New Jersey’s 7th district, are seeking to hold Altman accountable for old social media posts and for positions on defunding the police taken by her previous employer, Working Families Party, in a bid to portray her as a far-left candidate in a centrist, politically competitive congressional district.
“Sue Altman’s positions on defunding the police are reckless and dangerous. As a police officer and councilman, I see firsthand the critical role law enforcement plays in maintaining safety,” said Nick Bruno, a Westfield police sergeant and a Republican councilman in Clinton. “Altman’s rhetoric undermines the brave work of our officers and jeopardizes public safety.”
Among the criticisms of Altman: she opposed a proposal to mandate police staffing levels based on population and crime rights –she called that a “super problematic incentive structure” – and smacked a bill to expand pension eligibility for police officers and firefighters, saying that the state “can always find extra perks for white male-dominated professions like cops and firefighters.”
Kean supporters want to tie Altman to a grassroots initiative launched by her employer in 2020 to support candidates “who will fight to shift resources from policing to real community investments instead.”
They’re also smacking Altman for celebrating the New Jersey Supreme Court’s order to release convicted cop killer and Black Panther Party member Sundiata Acoli in 2022.
“This man has served a lifetime in prison. He is certainly no threat to anyone at age 85,” Altman said on social media. “This is the humane, correct thing to do.”
Former Summit Police Chief Robert Weck said that the 7th district “wouldn’t benefit from having a candidate like Sue Altman who has a long history of anti-police rhetoric.”
“It’s crucial to support leaders like Tom Kean, Jr., who have delivered for the law enforcement community time and time again,” said Weck. “Tom’s unwavering support has helped keep our communities and officers safe.”
Hunterdon County Sheriff Fred Brown said he could attest to Kean’s support of law enforcement.
“In stark contrast, Tom’s opponent has a well-documented record of anti-police rhetoric, and is now attempting to distract voters from these facts,” Brown said.
Kean’s longtime strategist, Harrison Neely, accused Altman of “desperately trying to whitewash her record for this election.”
“The truth is she wants to defund the police and regularly praises cop killers,” Neely stated. “Sue Altman and her extremist beliefs are simply dangerous.”
But Altman pushed back, saying that Kean’s camp is mischaracterizing some of her older tweets.
“I do not support defunding the police,” said Altman. “Unlike Tom Kean, Jr – who voted to slash nearly $17 billion and cut nearly 30% of all federal funding to law enforcement – I have never voted to defund the police.”
Altman said it was “laughable Kean is once again hiding behind his spokesperson and distracting voters from his lack of leadership.”
“I am available to debate this, and any issue, any day, any time once he is finally willing to show up,” Altman declared.