Three Newark lawmakers have endorsed LaMonica McIver for the Democratic nomination for Congress in New Jersey’s 10th district.
Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz, Assembly Budget Committee Chair Eliana Pintor Marin, and Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee Chair Shanique Speight are the latest Democratic leaders to take sides in an eleven-candidate field to fill the unexpired term of Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D-Newark), who died in April.
A special Democratic primary is scheduled for July 16.
“As a proud daughter of Newark, I am honored to wholeheartedly endorse McIver for Congress,” Ruiz stated. “LaMonica has consistently championed our initiatives aimed at bolstering funding for our public schools, advancing early childhood education, and enhancing Newark’s rich cultural institutions. I am confident that she will steadfastly lead Newark and the entire congressional district with excellence in Washington.”
Pintor Marin said that the seat “carries profound significance, having been shaped by the legacy” of Payne.
“McIver’s commitment to justice, equality, and progress ensures that she will uphold and advocate the values of this district.”
Speight, who comes from Newark’s Central Ward, a key part of the city’s Democratic base, said that McIver embodies her own commitment to 10th district residents and the state.
“She holds the values of our district dear and knows how to fight for the needs of the people who often lack a voice in the halls of power. New Jersey needs her in Washington,” Speight stated.
McIver is the president of the Newark City Council.
Voting is underway in the race for the remainder of Payne’s term. Election officials have already sent out 31,6000 vote-by-mail ballots, with 269 returned, according to an analysis by Associated Press election researcher Ryan Dubicki.