Facing Primary Challenge, Democrats Establish Progressive Caucus

With the national Democratic Party moving further to the left ideologically, and with many local candidates facing challenges in their own primaries, the Camden County Democrat Committee has announced it is launching a progressive caucus.

In the announcement issued last week, the party called the creation of a working group within the party that can focus on building upon issues such as the environment, equality, gun control, good paying jobs, and restoring economic security, “ critical to ensure the continued success of our party.”

The party also said it has “long supported candidates who have fought tirelessly for progressive values” such as these issues.

The Democratic Party has a tight grip on county government, as well as local municipal governments. For the second consecutive election, though, candidates are facing primary challengers for many seats on June 4, including for state assembly, county clerk, county freeholder; local offices in Gloucester Township, Cherry Hill, Camden City and Runnemede; and for Democratic County Committee in Collingswood, Cherry Hill, Haddon Township, Oaklyn, and Woodlynne. These candidates are part of a party calling itself the South Jersey Progressive Democrats.

Officials said the formation of the caucus at this point in time will help to unify the party. They cited a recent speech from former President Barack Obama, in which he spoke about the need for the party to come together or risk losing another presidential election.

“We start sometimes creating what’s called a 'circular firing squad,' where you start shooting at your allies because one of them has strayed from purity on the issues. And when that happens, typically the overall effort and movement weakens. I think whether you are speaking as a citizen or as a political leader or as an organizer … you have to recognize that the way we structure democracy requires you to take into account people who don’t agree with you and that by definition means you’re not going to get 100 percent of what you want," Obama said.

Infighting among Democrats has taken center stage in Camden County over the last few weeks, as officials have engaged in a war of words with Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy over what they call Murphy's "relentless attacks" on Camden businesses who receive tax incentives from the state.

They called him "hypocritical" following a report that shows Murphy lobbied in favor of tax credits for Goldman Sachs back in 2003. They then called on the chairman of the task force Murphy appointed to examine the state tax credit system to resign due to a perceived conflict of interest.

On Friday, the South Jersey Progressive Democrats said they endorsed the task force, and insisted that the task force conduct a comprehensive investigation of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Tax Incentives program.

“Taxpaying residents of Camden County deserve a full, thorough, and independent investigation into the practices of the New Jersey EDA and the tax incentives it awarded,” said Brian Dilks-Brotman, a candidate for Democratic County Committee (Column 4) in Collingswood. “Recent news reports point to potentially serious violations of the public trust. Such violations, if left uninvestigated, will irreparably erode people’s faith in our state and local governments’ ability to protect the interests of its citizens.”

The party’s 93 candidates said they also support the New Jersey Working Families Alliance, which will be “reminding the EDA that the public is watching and will not tolerate their corruption anymore,” on Tuesday, May 14, 10 a.m. at the EDA Building, 36 West State Street in Trenton, according to a release from the organization.

The two sides in the battle for the Democratic Party in Camden County have waged an all-out war, with each side accusing the other of running fake candidates, according to philly.com. The South Jersey Progressive Democrats said the Camden County Democratic Committee is running phantom candidates designed to pack the ballot and cloud the judgement of the voters.

Read more here: Camden County Democratic Primary Challengers Sue Clerk’s Office

The Camden County Democratic Committee said the South Jersey Progressive Democrats is a group of Republicans running disguised as Democrats. They also said the progressive wing of the party is embraced by the party establishment.

“After the disappointing results of the 2016 presidential election, many progressives became involved and were welcomed to the county organization and other supporting organizations such as the South Jersey Young Democrats and the South Jersey Young Democrats Black Caucus,” Camden County Democrat Committee officials said in the release. “The dedication and actions of progressives brought us the #redtoblue wave, and we are grateful for their part in the movement.

“Additionally, many local organizations throughout the county have embraced newly involved progressives to their ranks. The Democratic Party in Collingswood serves as a prime example where progressives and longtime Democrats have joined together to strengthen the local party. You can read a first-hand account from Collingswood progressive Joe Russell about how long time committee members welcomed progressives to the local committee in Collingswood here.”

The Camden County Democratic Committee has designated an initial organizing team to help set up the caucus. The team’s first tasks will be to develop a working committee and conduct outreach to increase participation countywide. Progressive Caucus Organizing Team members include Brian McGinnis, Sandi Kelly, Christopher Barrett, Joseph Russell, all of Collingswood, Colleen Bezich of Haddonfield, and Matt Brinn of Cherry Hill.

“I’m very encouraged by the participation and active voices of the newer progressives on county committee in Collingswood and I’m looking forward to the organization of a countywide group together, so we can roll up our sleeves and get to work on tangible initiatives. I believe that by working together on the issues important to us in an organized manner throughout the county, we can reach even greater results,” Collingswood Committee member Sandi Kelly said.

“I look forward to creating a larger community conversation around progressive issues, continuing to speak up when I feel I can bring an outside view to the table, and working alongside other progressive Democrats in CCDC, as well as community members and grassroots organizers and organizations. The most important part of the democratic process is that all Democrats have a voice in our party, and I am looking forward to help lead that effort,” Collingswood Committee member Christopher Barrett said.

“I commend the efforts of local committees throughout the county for embracing new members with a wide spectrum of opinions that reflect the array of views of our electorate,” Camden County Democratic Committee Chair James Beach said. “We have always embraced new talent, youth, diversity, and new energy to expand our organization,” Beach added, pointing to the party’s long record of diversity in recruiting candidates: including, the first Latina and the first Asian-American woman to serve on the Freeholder Board, first Latina in the legislature, the first African American woman in Senate seat, and organized labor representatives at various levels of office including Congress. Democrats in Camden County also presided over the first ever female majority in county government in the state.”

Primary Day is June 4. It is also the final day for candidates to file petitions to run third-party campaigns in the Nov. 5 general elections.