FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 16, 2020
Contact: Kenny Palmer | press@indivisible.org
Washington, DC— Today, Indivisible announced its endorsement of Arati Kreibich in the race for the Democratic nomination in New Jersey’s 5th Congressional District, setting up a matchup with an incumbent who previously enjoyed local Indivisible groups’ support, Representative Josh Gottheimer.
“While Representative Gottheimer focuses on raising money from big dollar corporate PACs, Arati’s grassroots campaign is showing us that people power is more powerful than corporate money. We are proud to get behind her in this effort to take back the 5th district,” Indivisible’s IE Political Director Lucy Solomon said. “Like many progressives in the 5th District, Arati Kreibich spent her 2018 volunteering to get Josh Gottheimer reelected to Congress. And like many progressives, Arati watched as Representative Gottheimer repeatedly failed his district: voting in favor of giving more money to Trump’s deportation machine and to bolster Trump’s illegitimate use of power to take America to the edge of war.”
Local Indivisibles were a vital part of Representative Gottheimer’s 2018 victory, knocking doors to make sure Democrats held onto this purple district. Since then, they’ve grown disenchanted with his responsiveness to constituents. Gottheimer has refused to hold open town halls, instead insisting that questions come pre-approved by his staff. Local Indivisible groups have kept the pressure on, repeatedly organizing “empty-chair” town halls that Representative Gottheimer refuses to attend. Representative Gottheimer has also taken many disappointing votes in Congress, rolling back key regulations on the banking industry, providing Trump a blank check to enforce his cruel immigration policies, and voting to give Trump free rein to wage war with Iran.
Arati, a true grassroots Democrat, is running a campaign powered by the people and promises to be committed to progressive ideals like Medicare for All and the Green New Deal.
“As a scientist, an immigrant, a woman of color, and as a grassroots activist, she will bring a perspective to the House of Representatives that aligns with the views of our group’s membership like protecting working people rather than corporate interests. But most importantly, we are confident she will keep her commitment to being accessible with regular town halls, unlike Josh Gottheimer,” said Susan Steinberg, group leader of Indivisible NJ5.
To earn Indivisible’s national endorsement, a candidate must clear a tough three-stage process that requires broad support from local Indivisible group members at multiple points. All endorsed candidates must have a strong progressive platform aligned with our movement’s values and the enthusiastic support of informed energized voters in their district.
Indivisible NJ5 is a locally-led progressive grassroots group responsible for nominating Arati Kreibich for Indivisible Action's national endorsement.To learn more about their work, future events, and their endorsement process, please contact: Indivisible NJ5, Susan Steinberg susanbsteinberg@gmail.com
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ABOUT INDIVISIBLE ACTION
Indivisible Action is a Hybrid Political Action Committee fueled by the grassroots movement to win elections and build local, independent progressive power nationwide. Indivisible Action provides Indivisible groups access to voter contact software, along with a suite of canvassing, phonebanking, and texting tools in support of progressive candidates. Indivisible Action also makes endorsements of federal and gubernatorial candidates nominated by their local Indivisible groups, vetted by our political team, and voted on by our supporters in the states and districts the candidate wishes to represent.