Father Of Fallen 9/11 First Responder Bashes Garrett in New Commercial

A new advertisement released by 5th District candidate Josh Gottheimer targets incumbent Scott Garrett and his failure to vote for legislation to help 9/11 first responders.

Garrett was the only member of the New York or New Jersey Congressional Delegation – Democrat or Republican – to vote against the Zadroga Act, twice. Garrett initially sponsored the legislation, but voted against it because he claimed that it was “bloated” and was concerned with the $1.1 trillion in spending it would allowed.

The legislation was named after James Zadroga, a former New York City Police detective and the first 9/11 first responder to die from an illness contracted by helping at the World Trade Center after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

"Scott Garrett was the only Jersey Congressman to vote against health care for 9/11 Responders. Prior to his passing, no one wanted to recognize that people were sick from 9/11," said Joseph Zadroga, a retired North Arlington police chief, in the ad. "For the life of me, I could not understand why Scott Garrett turned his back on 9/11 responders."

Gottheimer, a former speechwriter for President Bill Clinton, has been endorsed by the New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association (FMBA) and the New Jersey and the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association.

"Firefighters, police officers, and the residents of the 5th District they protect, deserve a voice in Congress that will fight for them," said FMBA President Eddie Donnelly.

A group of veterans who endorsed Garrett mentioned the Zadroga Act and, Garrett's endorsement of it, as a reason for why people should re-elect him. Garrett publicized the endorsement in a press release last week.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Related: Veterans Endorse Scott Garrett, Claim He Supported Legislation He Actually Voted Against

Photo: Rep. Scott Garrett, photo via Wikimedia Commons, used with permission