Rep. Andy Kim Visits Essex County To Spotlight ‘Affordability Crisis’

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A racial wealth gap for business owners. A lack of affordable housing. Seniors who are facing rising medical costs. These are some of the urgent issues that need to be addressed in New Jersey as its residents face an ongoing “affordability crisis,” several Black community leaders told U.S. Rep. Andy Kim (NJ-3) during his recent trip through Essex County.

On Tuesday, Kim – who is one of several New Jersey candidates running for U.S. Senate this year – spoke with advocates across the county in an attempt to put some of their biggest concerns in the spotlight.

They had plenty to say, according to Kim.

First, the congressman met with community members at Cornbread and Soul in Montclair for a chat about the “wealth and opportunity gap” that continues to impact Black and minority business owners in New Jersey.

Citing a state-commissioned study released in January, participants turned the discussion to ways to curb the imbalance – including additional federal funding.

• See Related: Race, Wealth And Homeownership: NJ Still Seeing Troubling Gaps

Later, Kim visited residents at the Peter Antonellis Tower in East Orange, which is part of the Region 9 Housing Corporation, a nonprofit that provides affordable housing for low to moderate-income seniors, people with disabilities and families.

His visits to Montclair and East Orange made an impression, Kim reported.

“Today, I met with Essex County Black community leaders, activists, and seniors on the ground to discuss ways we can work together to address the affordability crisis which disproportionately negatively impacts the Black community across our state in terms of small business opportunities, rising health care costs and pay disparity,” the congressman said.

“I was able to speak directly with seniors who are living with the repercussions of this crisis every day, and heard their calls for help when it comes to rising prescription costs and crumbling infrastructure,” he added.

Earlier this week, Kim was among the community leaders who offered praise for a church in Newark as it expands its long-running outreach program, holding it up as an example of a community group pushing back against “skyrocketing” health care costs. Read More: Rep. Andy Kim Praises Newark Church As He Continues Senate Bid

Alexander McLucas, Alpha Phi Alpha’s New Jersey district director, said he was glad to be able to speak to an elected official about the struggle to build generational wealth.

Kim also got a thank-you from William Scott, chair of the housing committee of the Montclair NAACP branch, for giving Essex County residents a venue to highlight the “disparities in our state.”

Kim is the first Asian American elected to federal office from New Jersey. He is among a crowded field of candidates competing to replace Sen. Bob Menendez in New Jersey this year.

Menendez – who is facing new bribery charges – has not announced if he will run for re-election.

Kim is competing for the Democratic Party nomination in the 2024 primary election. Other candidates currently seeking the Democratic nod include Tammy Murphy, Kevin Cupples, Patrick Merrill, Patricia Campos-Medina and Lawrence Hamm.

Candidates seeking the Republican nomination include Curtis Bashaw, Michael Estrada, Albert Harshaw, Justin Murphy, Christine Serrano-Glassner and Alex Zdan. Additional candidates include Christina Khalil (Green Party of NJ) and Nick Carducci (Independent).

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