Murphy adds illegal immigrant driver licenses into 25th district Assembly race

Gov. Phil Murphy’s push to provide driver licenses to illegal immigrants just eight weeks before his midterm elections has now reached the Morris County-based 25th district race, where Republicans trying to hold two State Assembly seats are trying to turn the issue against two Democratic challengers. 

“Taxpayers deserve to know whether Lisa Bhimani and Darcy Draeger support Governor Murphy when it comes to endless taxpayer-funded handouts to illegal immigrants,” said Rob Costello, the campaign manager for Assemblyman Anthony M. Bucco (R-Boonton) and Denville Councilman Brian Bergen.

But the Democrats, Lisa Bhimani and Darcy Draeger, refused to let the Republicans box them in and came out against Murphy on the driver license issues.

“Lisa and Darcy are willing to show real independence from leadership in their own party, including on this issue, while fighting for the needs of working and middle-class families in the 25th Legislative District,” Daniel Fleiss, the campaign manager for Bhimani and Draeger.

Costello said Murphy’s declaration of New Jersey as a sanctuary state has “handcuffed law enforcement” and said Bhimani supports that.

Democrats instead are trying to tie Bucco to former Gov. Christie Christie, who left office with record-low approval ratings.

“Anthony Bucco was one of Chris Christie most obedient lapdogs,” Fleiss said.  “He voted in lockstep with the former governor, including voting against critical funding for women’s health care and protecting our communities from gun violence.”

Fleiss said that voters “are tired of empty rhetoric.”

“If Anthony spent less time pandering and more time governing, he wouldn’t currently be in the fight of his political career to save his seat,” Fleiss said.