"Making a choice not a prediction" Lisa McCormick endorses Larry Hamm

Lisa McCormick, the sole Democratic primary challenger to Senator Bob Menendez in 2018, has publicly endorsed civil rights leader Lawrence "Larry" Hamm for the U.S. Senate in the upcoming New Jersey Democratic primary.

McCormick made her endorsement through a passionate social media post, urging voters to take a stand against political corruption and ineffective leadership.

In her endorsement, McCormick referenced the ongoing corruption trial of Senator Menendez and the political ascent of his son, stating, "I asked you to say, ‘I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not gonna take this anymore!’ but you re-elected the crook who is on trial in New York and then sent his son to Congress, plus there's a pretty good chance you are going to give Junior a second term on June 4." McCormick's comments highlight her frustration with the current political climate and her call for change.

Quoting Howard Beale from the film Network, McCormick expressed her dissatisfaction with the state of the nation: "'I don’t have to tell you things are bad. Everybody knows things are bad. It’s a depression. Everybody’s out of work or scared of losing their job. The dollar buys a nickel’s worth. Banks are going bust…' but when they do, you are going to pay to bail them out." She concluded her post with a decisive statement: "I am voting for Larry Hamm on June 4 and if you don't, then YOU are to blame for everything. You cannot blame Republicans or circumstances or anything else if you fail to STOP being part of the problem."

As Senator Menendez's corruption trial continues, McCormick reiterated the need for action and change, combining quotes from the Dalai Lama and Frederick Douglass: "CHANGE requires ACTION because POWER concedes NOTHING without a DEMAND."

McCormick, a dedicated Democrat known for challenging political corruption, has a history of advocating for social issues such as anti-gun violence, consumer protection, and banking reform. In her 2018 primary challenge against Menendez, she garnered nearly 40% of the vote. She has remained active in her community, environmental activism, and political reform movements.

"Larry Hamm is an iconic New Jersey civil rights leader making his second run for U.S. Senator in the 2024 New Jersey Democratic primary," McCormick stated. "As chairman of the People’s Organization For Progress, he fights for the people. He played a leading role in support of Sen. Bernie Sanders' presidential campaigns here in New Jersey."

McCormick emphasized Hamm's commitment to progressive policies, stating, "Larry Hamm will fight for Medicare for All, Reparations for Slavery, Affordable Housing, Laws to Stop Police Brutality, an end to Climate Change, Gun Control including a Ban on Assault Weapons, Stronger Voting Rights, to Eliminate Poverty and End Food Insecurity by Taxing the Rich and Big Corporations."

She added that Hamm is committed to ending wars, cutting military spending, achieving a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the West Bank, overturning Citizens United, increasing the federal minimum wage to $17 per hour, and ensuring living wages for all. Hamm also supports free college, ending student debt, protecting and expanding Social Security, women's reproductive and abortion rights, and stronger union rights.

McCormick criticized Congressman Andy Kim and Patricia Campos-Medina, stating, "Congressman Andy Kim is a loyal servant of the military-industrial complex and not a progressive Democrat. Patricia Campos-Medina is a progressive but she gave $2500 to 'Gold Bar Bob' when I ran against Menendez six years ago. Larry Hamm is the only choice for change, so I do not care if he raised a lot of money or even if he has a chance on June 4. I am making a choice, not a prediction, and the best candidate on the ballot for Senate is Larry Hamm."

Hamm received applause from the audience at a forum in Jersey City when he criticized Rep. Andy Kim for his congressional vote to send more money to Israel. Hamm called for an end to Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and Gaza and for the United States to stop sending money to Ukraine as well.

Hamm received standing ovations throughout the forum and rapturous applause for declaring he would prevent the closure of any hospitals if elected.

The family of Andrew Washington, a Jersey City man shot and killed by the police last August during a mental health crisis, held a photo of their loved one.

Hamm’s opening and closing statements centered around his tragic death and other aspects of police brutality occurring in the country. He mentioned that the last time he was in Saint John’s Baptist Church was for Washington’s funeral.