GOP Lawmaker In Essex: Anti-Trump Ballot Bill Is Political Stunt

A Republican state lawmaker who represents parts of Essex, Morris and Passaic counties is heaping scorn on a New Jersey bill that would keep President Donald Trump off the ballot if he refuses to release his tax returns.

The bill – which was spearheaded by Democratic party members – would require candidates for president and vice-president of the United States to submit their federal income tax returns to the Division of Elections.

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But according to Sen. Joe Pennacchio (District 26), the bill is nothing more than a political stunt meant to keep Trump off the ballot in the Democrat-dominated Garden State.

On Friday, Pennacchio said that he attempted to amend the potential law to include all candidates for governor, state senate and the general assembly. His peers didn’t go for it, the senator said.

“Blocking my amendment was the height of hypocrisy,” Pennacchio charged. “Clearly, their bill is nothing more than a thinly-veiled political stunt to keep President Trump off the ballot. It shows that they are unwilling to hold themselves to the same standard. I highly doubt that the senate majority would have done this if a Democrat was in the Oval Office.”

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According to Pennacchio, the bill sends a message that states can tamper with the ballot in any way that pleases the majority party politically, and taxpayers will be the ones who pay the price when this ends up in court.

“Frankly, this bill is probably unconstitutional,” he opined. “This is a very slippery slope.”

Pennacchio said that the bill, S-119, would require all candidates for president or vice president of the United States to release their five most recent federal income tax returns in order to appear on the ballot in New Jersey. The bill, which passed the senate on Feb. 21, would also prohibit New Jersey’s Electoral College electors from voting for candidates who failed to file income tax returns.

“This is not the first time we have seen New Jersey Democrats play politics with our elections,” Pennacchio added. “Look at the recent redistricting fiasco, or the ‘Booker Bill’ they just passed to allow a sitting United States Senator to run for two offices at the same time. It’s shameful.”

Pennacchio represents Butler, Fairfield, Jefferson, Kinnelon, Lincoln Park, Montville, Morris Plains, North Caldwell, Parsippany-Troy Hills, Rockaway Township, Verona, West Caldwell and West Milford.

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