LaRue tells embattled Arnau to prove innocence or quit

The chair of New Jersey’s largest LGBTQ+ advocacy organization wants Democratic Assembly candidate Ron Arnau to either refute allegations that he physically and emotionally abused his partner of nearly two years or get out of the race.

“If Mr. Arnau cannot disprove these serious allegations, he must step aside. Voters deserve candidates who uphold – not undermine — the public’s trust,” said Jeannine Frisby LaRue, the Garden State Equality Action Fund board chair

LaRue’s statement is potentially devastating to Arnau’s campaign and could leave the openly gay candidate without an essential ally in an already uphill race for an Assembly seat.

“When LGBTQ+ people run for office, they do so with the weight of representing our community. But being part of our community does not shield you from accountability,” Jeannine LaRue stated. “In fact, it heightens the responsibility to lead with integrity, transparency, and care.”

Cristian Serna-Tamayo, a physician who once lived with Arnau during a turbulent relationship between 2014 and 2016, claims he was the victim of domestic violence on multiple occasions, including being held at knifepoint for three hours..

“As a survivor of domestic violence, I know firsthand the pain and fear. No matter who you are—your race, gender, or sexual orientation—abuse is abuse,” said LaRue, a longtime civil rights leader in New Jersey.  “And when someone with credible allegations of domestic violence seeks public office, it demands a serious and immediate response.”

On Friday, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Mikie Sherrill, now the standard bearer of her party, called on Arnau to produce evidence of his innocence or immediately end his run for the legislature.  Three Democratic county chairs, Paul Juliano of Bergen, LeRoy Jones of Essex, and John Currie of Passaic, told Arnau the same thing.

“I want to personally thank Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, Chairmen Jones, Juliano, and Currie for their leadership in calling for accountability,” LaRue said.  “Their clarity and courage in this moment reflect the values we must expect from those seeking to represent us.

Arnau declined to comment.