Laura Fortgang Rebukes Jay Webber’s Claim He Supports ‘Equal Pay’

If you ask Laura Fortgang, Assemblyman Jay Webber is speaking out both sides of his mouth when it comes to supporting “equal pay” in New Jersey. But according to Webber, a Republican who represents the state’s 26th district, the Democratic candidate’s criticism is a prime example of her “far-left agenda.”

Earlier this week, Fortgang – who is challenging Webber for his seat in November – blasted the assemblyman for a recent campaign flyer he sent to voters (see photo below). That flyer identified him as a “husband, father, son, tax cutter and strong leader.”

It also identified Webber as a small business owner who “supports equal pay for equal work,” a claim that Fortgang derided in a press statement.

She pointed out that Webber was one of just two assembly members who voted against the Diane B. Allen Equal Pay Act in 2018, which was voted into law by Gov. Phil Murphy. The legislation makes it illegal for an employer to pay a worker less than another employee who does a "substantially similar" job. It applies to minority workers, as well as those of different genders.

• See related article: These 2 New Jersey Lawmakers Voted Against 'Equal Pay' Bill

The law picked up enthusiastic support from many female legislators in New Jersey, including U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, who beat out Webber for a seat in Congress last year.

When Sherrill went on the offensive about Webber’s vote on the Equal Pay Act last year, he didn’t spare the sarcasm. “Mikie's a lawyer who knows that equal pay for equal work is already the law in New Jersey… as it should be,” he told Patch.

At the time, Webber offered the following explanation for his vote:

“[This] bill is unlike any other in the country and will lead to more junk lawsuits by increasing penalties available to plaintiffs in those suits nine times over. Jackpot jury verdicts caused by this bill will destroy jobs, lower wages and close small businesses for women across the state.”

Taking a page from Sherrill’s playbook, Fortgang used Webber’s recent campaign flyer to challenge his avowed support on “equal pay” for females.

“As a small business owner and full-time working mother who has always shared equally with my husband the responsibility of financially supporting our family, I find Assemblyman Webber’s false and deceitful claims on his campaign literature that he supports equal pay for women deeply offensive, as should working women and working mothers across New Jersey,” she said.

“It’s important to note that the Diane B. Allen Equal Pay Act does not just protect women,” Fortgang continued. “It guarantees equal pay for equal work for all New Jersey workers, who are the victims of wage theft and wage discrimination every day. This is why Jay Webber’s vote against workers is so disturbing. When the overwhelming majority of Republicans, as well as Democrats, understand the impact of wage discrimination on New Jersey’s hard-working families, it shows you just how out of touch Jay Webber is with the struggles and concerns of the working people of New Jersey.”

“The voters of the 26th District need to know the truth about Jay Webber on this important issue, especially given that we clearly can’t expect him to tell the truth about himself,” Fortgang said.

A spokesperson for Webber called Fortgang a “far-left political protester” who is trying to launch a “tired and baseless attack” on the assemblyman.

According to Webber’s campaign team:

“Assemblyman Webber supports equal pay for equal work, period. In fact, he spends his professional career defending the rights of women who have been discriminated and retaliated against in the workplace. A working dad himself, Assemblyman Webber is a small business owner who actually meets an equal-pay payroll for his employees. He also provides flexible working schedules so the working parents in his office can meet their responsibilities both at home and at work. In the Assembly, Jay has helped increase funding and support for women’s services, including women who are victims of domestic violence. In both his public service and daily professional life, Jay Webber advances fairness, equality, and security for all of our working families.”

Webber’s campaign team continued:

“Laura Fortgang is a far-left political protester totally out of touch with the needs and concerns of our citizens; her tired and baseless attack is just an attempt to distract from her far-left agenda... Ms. Fortgang’s extremist agenda is wrong for New Jersey and wrong for this district, and the voters will reject her come November.”

• Learn more about Laura Fortgang’s platform as a candidate for the state assembly
• Learn more about Jay Webber’s policies as a state assembly member

The state’s 26th district includes the following towns: Butler, Fairfield (Essex), Jefferson, Kinnelon, Lincoln Park, Montville, Morris Plains, North Caldwell, Parsippany-Troy Hills, Rockaway Township, Verona, West Caldwell and West Milford.

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