Contact: Ed Potosnak
O: (609) 331-9922
C: (732) 991-7574
NEW JERSEY LCV-ENDORSED ENVIRONMENTAL CHAMPIONS WIN BIG IN LOCAL RACES
Trenton – New Jersey LCV endorsed 28 bipartisan candidates for local elections, a third of whom were candidates of color and 40% of whom were women, and so far, 14 have won their races, with votes still being counted and more remaining to be called. It was the first time the organization endorsed local candidates running for city, town, and county offices.
“We’re so proud of all the candidates we endorsed – we are thrilled to see so much success and congratulate all the winners. There was too much at stake to let this election pass us by, so we decided to endorse across New Jersey and help elect pro-conservation candidates at the local level for the first time in our organization’s history,” said Ed Potosnak, Executive Director of New Jersey LCV. “Many of the decisions about climate action, clean drinking water, reducing flooding, advancing environmental justice, and preserving open space and parks are often made at the local level, and we are thrilled to see so many champions put these issues at the forefront of their campaign.”
The following is a list of New Jersey LCV-endorsed candidates who won their races:
Edward Zipprich |
Township Council |
Red Bank |
Bruce James |
County Freeholder |
Passaic County |
Patricia Sebold |
County Freeholder |
Essex County |
Brendan Gill |
County Freeholder |
Essex County |
Paul Drake |
County Freeholder |
Somerset County |
Doug Singleterry |
County Freeholder |
Somerset County |
Shelly L. Bell |
Township Committee |
Montgomery |
Gina LaPlaca |
Township Committee |
Lumberton |
Terrance Benson |
Township Committee |
Lumberton |
Eddie Freeman |
Township Council |
Evesham |
Ginamarie Espinoza |
Township Council |
Evesham |
Kevin D. Kuchinski |
Township Committee |
Hopewell |
Michael Ruger |
Township Committee |
Hopewell |
Shaun Van Doren |
County Freeholder |
Hunterdon County |
"I look forward to building on my environmental record of implementing electric vehicle charging stations and storm water management techniques to ensure a cleaner, brighter future for Red Bankers and all New Jerseyans,” said Ed Zipprich, Red Bank City Council.
“All of us are in a global environmental crisis. The time to study it has passed. The time to discuss it has passed. We must not allow the time for great action to pass . We must all commit ourselves to accomplishing a worthy environment,” said Patricia Sebold, Essex County Freeholder.
“Voters sent a strong message on election day about the importance of protecting the environment and fighting climate change,” said Kevin D. Kuchinski, Hopewell Township Committee. In the weeks and months ahead, I will work towards improved stormwater management solutions, to accelerate the conversion to renewable energy and reducing our carbon footprint, to restore the trees lost to Superstorm Sandy and the Emerald Ash Borer, and to expanding our walking and biking trail network. Step by step, we can begin to reverse the damage to our environment and put New Jersey at the forefront of the fight against climate change.”
"Having been re-elected to a 3 year term I will continue to be a strong proponent of protecting the environment, preserving farmland and open space and our scenic and natural resources," said Shaun Van Doren, Hunterdon County Council.
“Thanks to the amazing voter turnout in New Jersey and across the nation, Joe Biden will be the next president of the United States, and we’ll once again have a president who believes in science and knows climate change is real,” added Potosnak. “We look forward to working with our local champions who will help us establish New Jersey communities as the greenest in the nation.”
As election results are finalized, New Jersey LCV will provide an update on the outcome of races with our endorsed candidates.