Group that helped Ocasio-Cortez endorses Spezakis

Brand New Congress, the progressive grassroots organization that helped recruit Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to run for Congress in 2017, has endorsed Zina Spezakis in her Democratic primary challenge against Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-Paterson).

Brand New Congress was founded by veterans of Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign.

Spezakis, a clean energy investor, announced her run for Congress in New Jersey’s 9th district earlier this year.

“When I realized we have less than 12 years to drastically reduce our emissions, I realized I needed to do more, Spezakis said. “I am running because our children deserve to inherit a livable world where they can thrive, not just survive.”

According to Spezakis, Brand New Congress will help her raise money in a tough battle against Pascrell, a congressman since 1997.

She reported raising $92,930 for her House race so far, including a $49,476 loan she made to her own campaign.

Pascrell had $1,761,768 cash-on-hand, according to his 3rd quarter filing with the Federal Election Commission.

“He has taken a lot of money from corporate PACs,” Spezakis said. “He takes the middle-of-the road political approach or pays lip-service to policy.” P

Spezakis is one of two Democrats seeking to wrest the nomination away from Pascrell.  Alpaslan Basaran, a Fort Lee attorney, is also running.

Pascrell defeated 2018 primary opponent William O. Henry with 86% of the vote.