An issue advocacy group run by Montclair Mayor Sean Spiller is up on the air with a massive $500,000 cable TV and digital ad buy touting the virtues of democracy.
Spiller, the president of the New Jersey Education Association, the state’s largest public employee union, is mulling a bid for the Democratic nomination for governor in 2025. He leads Protecting Our Democracy, a 501(c)(4) non-profit.
The ad, “Solutions,” is narrated by Spiller and features footage of him and local scenes in Montclair, but also in Lambertville, Princeton, and the Lower Trenton Bridge, which carries the iconic, “Trenton Makes, the World Takes” sign. The ad ends with Spiller speaking directly to the camera.
Script: “Solving real problems to strengthen our communities. That’s what democracy is all about. Democracy is for our hopes and our dreams. Democracy is our foundation and our future. Democracy is how we create solutions, making it a little easier to get ahead. Democracy is how we build bridges and how we bridge the divide. Our democracy is us. I’m Sean Spiller, and democracy is how we build stronger communities.”
Spiller is not seeking re-election to a second term as mayor this year.
“We’re at a crossroads where many of the rights and freedoms we take for granted are being threatened. Everything from investing in infrastructure and education to creating economic opportunities depends on our ability to solve problems together,” Spiller said. “Protecting our Democracy is building a broad-based coalition to help ensure New Jerseyans have a say on the issues that matter most to their everyday lives. I’m proud to help lead this effort at this critical juncture. At the end of the day, we have to stand up for democracy. New Jersey can’t afford to go backwards.”