The Council on American–Islamic Relations Action New Jersey (CAIR Action NJ), a top advocacy group for Muslim Americans in New Jersey, has endorsed a slate of pro-Palestine New Jersey congressional candidates, most of them running under the label of the Green Party or other minor political parties.
Just two major-party candidates made the endorsement list, one of whom is Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Ewing), New Jersey’s most vocally pro-Palestine member of Congress by far and the only New Jerseyan to vote against military aid for Israel earlier this year. The other is, somewhat surprisingly, Billy Prempeh, a pro-Trump Republican running in the 9th congressional district to succeed the late Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-Paterson).
The group said that its 16 endorsed candidates (in three cases, multiple candidates were endorsed for the same district) will stand for a ceasefire in Gaza, support an arms embargo against Israel, and fight against Islamophobia in Congress.
“This election has far-reaching consequences, especially in state and local races that could be decided by just a few votes,” CAIR Action NJ’s voting guide tells voters. “Your vote is a powerful tool in shaping a future grounded in justice, peace, and equality for all. Use this guide to cast an informed vote that reflects your values, and stand up for a world where human rights are upheld, from Gaza to your local community.”
Also earning the group’s endorsement: the Green Party’s Christina Khalil (U.S. Senate), Robin Brownfield (1st district), Thomas Cannavo (2nd district), Steve Welzer (3rd district), Barry Bendar (4th district), Beau Forte (5th district), Andrew Black (7th district), Christian Robbins (8th district), Benjamin Taylor (9th district), Lily Benavides (11th district), and Kim Meudt (12th district); the Libertarian Party’s Lana Leguía (7th district) and Vic Kaplan (12th district); and independent Fahad Akthar (6th district).
The group also encouraged voters to vote against both major-party presidential candidates, and instead support Jill Stein, Claudia De La Cruz, Joseph Kishore, or Cornel West (who is not on the ballot but can be written in).
A few other congressional candidates, while not earning CAIR Action NJ’s full endorsement, were granted a label of “neutral,” indicating that they “represent a better alternative to candidates who actively harm these causes.” Among the “neutral” candidates are Rep. Andy Kim (D-Moorestown), the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, and Democratic Reps. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) and LaMonica McIver (D-Newark).