Progressive Rising Endorses New Jersey Insurgents

Progressive Rising is proud to announce its endorsement of Lawrence Hamm for U.S. Senate and five Democratic candidates who are running for U.S. House of Representatives, including Russ Cirincione (NJ-06), Hector Osegura (NJ-08), Zina Spezakis (NJ-09), Arati Kreibich (NJ-05) and Lisa McCormick (NJ-12). The group is also supporting Bernie Sanders in the race for president, because his delegates may have influence on the Democratic Party platform, the vice presidential selection and other matters that come up at the convention.

"U.S. Senate candidate Larry Hamm has been fighting for working people in New Jersey for many decades. Now he wants to take his fight to Washington D.C. and we saw thousands of people march in Newark to support his campaign," said Ken Riter, the chairman of Progressive Rising. "Larry Hamm is the real deal, from fighting for social justice and peace, as founder of POP -- the People's Organization for Progress -- and as New Jersey State Chair for the Bernie Sanders campaign, so we know he will show up more than Senator Cory Booker, who missed more votes last year than any other member of Congress."

"It's more important than ever to help elect leaders up and down the ballot who will fight for bold reforms and put people first," said Riter. "New Jersey needs leaders in Congress who reflect the decency and dignity of the American people, but it has become rare to find someone in elected office who speaks the truth and will fight for those whose voices are too often overlooked."

"Lisa McCormick earned a dazzling four out of ten Democratic primary votes in her 2018 U.S. Senate race, but she gave up her opportunity to try again so Larry Hamm could have a one on one contest against the incumbent, and we appreciate her sacrifice," said Riter. "New Jersey needs Lisa McCormick, who has been fighting for the working class and environment, because she will bring Congress the vision for making our world better."

"Russ Cirincione is taking on Congressman Frank Pallone, who is sitting on top of a $5 million bank account and a committee chairmanship that puts billions on dollars under his control, because Russ knows that none of that money or power is being used for us," said Riter. "Andrew Yang endorsed Russ Cirincione and New Jersey would be smart to elect Russ for us!"

"Hector Osegura is a bright young attorney, whose mother emigrated from the Dominican Republic," said Riter. "Hector learned that politics can be a powerful force for good by working as a volunteer for Elizabeth Warren in 2012, Bernie Sanders in 2016, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in 2018. Now, he is trying to remove one of the most notoriously corrupt members of Congress, Albio Sires."

"Glen Rock Councilwoman Arati Kreibich is running against Rep. Josh Gottheimer, who voted with Trump 77% of the time in 2018, defended Trump's handling of COVID, opposes giving most Americans monthly $2000 relief checks or a rent/mortgage freeze during the coronavirus crisis, and takes millions from Wall St., payday lenders and lobbyists," said Riter. "Zina Spezakis is bringing what she learned on Wall Street to power her progressive campaign for U.S. Congress, where she'd work to stop the climate crisis., if she can replace incumbent Rep. Bill Pascrell."

"It is important we elect to Congress candidate who will ensure people are represented instead of the corporate interests," said Riter. "Lisa McCormick will fearlessly lead our nation. She will put people first and stand for values that truly matter to ordinary Americans, because she's one of us."

"I am honored to receive this endorsement because I am calling on voters to rise up to the responsibility of their citizenship," said McCormick. "New Jersey's calcified, corrupt and incompetent political establishment is asking voters to make the same mistakes again but if you want to end politics as usual, then you have to stop voting for the usual politicians."

McCormick is a progressive champion who is challenging incumbent Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman for the Democratic nomination for Congress in the 12th District, which includes parts of Mercer, Somerset, Middlesex and Union counties.

The group is also encouraging Democrats to vote for Bernie Sanders in the presidential race, even though he has suspended his campaign to endorse former Vice President Joe Biden, because voting for Sanders will elect convention delegates who support a more assertive progressive agenda on such issues as Medicare for all, climate change legislation called the Green New Deal and anti-corruption matters.

• Bernie Sanders - President
• Lawrence Hamm – US Senate NJ
• Arati Kreibich – US House NJ-05
• Russ Cirincione – US House NJ-06
• Hector Osegura – US House NJ-08
• Zina Spezakis – US House NJ-09
• Lisa McCormick – US House NJ-12

Progressive Rising is an independent political action committee that aligns itself with progressive movement champions emboldened by the ideas of Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio Cortez.
We work to support progressive candidates around the nation who refuse to accept corporate PAC money and support Medicare For All single-payer health care, a Green New Deal, racial justice, and other political reform policies.