Fulop endorses Joshi for Edison mayor, raises $10k for his campaign

Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop is returning to the town where he grew up to urge Democrats to nominate Sam Joshi for mayor.

This morning, Fulop held a breakfast  fundraising event that brought an estimated $10,000 into Joshi’s campaign coffers.

“My parents always told me that they chose Edison as their home when they immigrated to the United States because it had so many unique and special assets, from great schools, to great open spaces, to manageable taxes, and a strong support system for working middle class families like my parents and like so many families that chose Edison,” Fulop wrote in a letter to Edison Democrats.  “Sam himself is the son of immigrants from India who came to Edison to build a better life, so he understands completely how important it is for Edison to remain that kind of welcoming, inclusive community.”

By endorsing Joshi in a hugely competitive primary, Fulop forms an alliance with Middlesex County Democrats in perhaps their most important race of the cycle.

Joshi faces Edison Democratic Municipal Chairman Mahesh Bhagia in the June 8 primary election.  Bhagia was the choice of local Democrats, but Joshi is running on the Middlesex County Democratic organization line after party leaders became concerned over Bhagia’s ties to the Edison Eight and allegations that he was the mastermind behind a racist mailer during the final days of a 2017 local campaign.

Attorney General Gurbir Grewal has empaneled a grand jury to probe the mailer, and document subpoenas have been issued to the township for evidence they gathered during their own investigation.

Fulop, who attended J.P. Stevens High School and the Rabbi Pesach Raymon Yeshiva, is able to communicate with local voters “as someone who has deep ties and love for Edison that continues to this day.”

“As the children of Holocaust survivors, I knew my parents were determined to find a home with leadership that embodies the American Dream,” Fulop said.  “They found that in Edison then, and I believe that Sam Joshi represents the type of leadership needed so that Edison can continue to be that kind of place for future generations.”

In addition to Fulop, Joshi has been endorsed by Gov. Phil Murphy, U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker, Middlesex County Democratic Chairman Kevin McCabe, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, Senate President Steve Sweeney, and Reps. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-Long Branch), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Ewing) and Andy Kim (D-Moorestown).

“I know the daily challenges that a mayor faces and the opportunity that the right kind of leadership presents to create lasting progress,” Fulop said.  “I know Sam Joshi is up to this challenge and will be the one that puts Edison back to where it belongs as one of the best places to live, work, and raise a family in New Jersey.”

Fulop has also endorsed Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty for re-election and is hosting a fundraiser for him.

Dougherty faces a primary challenge from perennial candidate Esperanza Porras-Field.