NJ Governor Candidate Wants $15 Wage, Legal Pot, Single-Payer Healthcare

NEWARK, NJ — He’s the “only progressive running” for governor of New Jersey in 2017. She’s an ardent #BLM supporter and community activist. And together, they’re giving residents a third party option in November.

New Jersey Green Party gubernatorial candidate Seth Kaper-Dale and running mate Lisa Durden are not like the Democrat and Republican choices that the state’s voters will encounter on the ballot for the general election in November.

Here are a few of the issues that Kaper-Dale and Durden support (read their full platform here):

• Single-payer Medicare for all New Jersey residents
• Marijuana legalization
• A New Jersey public bank that would partner with local community-based banks and credit unions
• A revamped state tax bracket that would make “high-wage earners pay more”
• The elimination of greenhouse emissions and a halt to all fossil fuel pipeline expansion
• Restoring both the right to vote and the right to a minimum wage for the incarcerated

Kaper-Dale, a Protestant pastor in Highland Park who has branded himself as the "only progressive running," conceded that third parties have a history of underperforming in elections, but in this case, he likes his chances against the Democrat and Republican choices.

"I only have to go up against two people and one of them is a Goldman Sachs poster boy, and the other is a Chris Christie poster girl,” he said. “We should be able to beat those two.”

• See related article: Phil Murphy, Kim Guadagno To Face Off In Gov. Race

LISA DURDEN: FIRED PROFESSOR, COMMUNITY ACTIVIST

Kaper-Dale’s running mate, Lisa Durden, is a former educator and political pundit known for her community-building efforts in her hometown of Newark.

According to Kaper-Dale and Durden’s campaign website:

“Durden has received multiple awards and honors for her stellar work as a progressive academic, media-expert and mentor to inner-city girls including the “Phenomenal Business Women Award," by My Sisters Keepers & Mayor Ras Baraka; the Vanguard Award for Excellence in Communications, by The Seton Hall University Black Alumni Association; the Woman On Fire Award For Outstanding Dedication To Media by The Newark Circle Of Sister; the Outstanding Journalism & Community Service Award by Project Redirect Youth & Family Services; the "Woman Who Claps In Media" Award by Girls; Live, Love, Laugh Inc.; the Leadership In Communication Award by Progressive Achievers; the Outstanding Contributions & Service to the Community Award by Essex County College Women’s Empowerment Forum.”

Durden recently made national headlines after a controversial appearance on the FOX News show Tucker Carlson Tonight, during which she expressed her support for a Black Lives Matter Memorial Day celebration in New York City which only invited African-American people.

Durden’s employer at the time, Essex County College, later fired the adjunct professor for making her statements, even though she didn’t identify herself as a teacher at the school.

• See related article: Black N.J. Professor Fired After Fox News Show Appearance

Kaper-Dale and Durden will appear at a campaign rally at LaRouge Restaurant and Lounge, 972, Broad Street in Newark on Saturday, Sept. 30 at 10:45 a.m.

Send local news tips, photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Photo: kaperdaleforgovernor.com