South Brunswick Dem leaders back Jaffer for Assembly seat

South Brunswick Democratic leaders today endorsed former Montgomery Mayor Sadaf Jaffer for an open State Assembly seat, assuring her the Middlesex County Democratic organization line in the June primary election.

Mayor Charlie Carley and Democratic Municipal Chairman Khalid Anjum also supported Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker (D-South Brunswick) for State Senate and Assemblyman Roy Freiman (D-Hillsborough) for re-election to a third term in the Assembly.

South Brunswick is the only Middlesex municipality in the 16th legislative district.

The support from South Brunswick Democrats follows support for the Zwicker-Freiman-Jaffer ticket from Somerset County Democratic Chair Peg Schaffer.

If she wins the 16th district seat, Jaffer would be the first Muslim and first South Asian woman to serve in the New Jersey Legislature.

“Today, we again have a chance to make history — not only for the Democratic party’s representation in the legislature, but for the South Asian communities in New Jersey,” said Anjum.  “These candidates will give us the best chance of being able to do both of those things in November.” 

Zwicker, Freiman and Jaffer must still complete a process that includes Democratic conventions in Somerset, Hunterdon, Middlesex and Mercer counties to award organization lines.

Carley called Zwicker and Freiman “diligent, devoted, and unwavering advocates for the residents of South Brunswick.”

““As a fellow mayor, I have tremendous admiration for Mayor Jaffer’s dedication to constituent services and good government,” Carley said.  “One of the pillars of our democracy is ensuring that all members of our communities are represented in government, Mayor Jaffer brings that much-needed representation for the growing South Asian communities in South Brunswick, the 16th District, and New Jersey.”