Make the Road Action NJ endorses Varela for NJ-7

Make the Road Action NJ, an immigrant rights group that recently helped a progressive Democrat win one congressional nomination, has set its sights on a second.

The group announced yesterday evening that it is endorsing Brian Varela, one of four Democrats running for the 7th congressional district. Varela, the son of Colombian immigrants, has positioned himself as the race’s most progressive candidate, especially on issues related to immigration and ICE.

“Brian Varela is the son of immigrants, so he knows what’s at stake for our communities right now,” Nedia Morsy, Make the Road Action NJ’s director, said in a statement. “Brian is ready to stand up to Trump’s deportation agenda and stand with workers demanding dignity on the job. We’re ready to put our full organizing power behind him in this primary.”

Alongside a coalition of other progressive groups, Make the Road Action NJ was instrumental in getting Analilia Mejia, a former progressive organizer herself, over the finish line in the February primary for the 11th congressional district.

Parts of that same coalition are now aligning behind Varela, who also has the support of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and the Latino Victory Fund. One key difference, though, is the partisanship of Mejia’s and Varela’s districts: Mejia is heavily favored to win tomorrow’s special general election in the Democratic-leaning 11th district, but the 7th district, currently held by Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-Westfield), will be a tougher lift for Democrats.