Statement from the North NJ DSA Executive Committee
Working-class people in Jersey City were inspired by the platforms of two democratic socialists, Jake Ephros and Joel Brooks, and sent both to a runoff election for their respective city council seats in December! Running on a platform of universal rent control, universal childcare, and safe, clean, green streets, they pushed forward an agenda geared towards making Jersey City more affordable and livable for everyone. Democratic socialism is about enabling the working class to take control of their own lives and organizing collectively and democratically towards common ends.
Over 200 volunteers came together to knock on doors, make phone calls, and engage in conversations with residents about high rents, property taxes, expensive childcare costs, pedestrian safety, and a broken trash collection system that needs to be brought back under the control of the people of Jersey City. We made over 50,000 door knocks and 100,000 phone calls in a campaign effort that united people across both Wards B and D. It goes to show that when dedicated advocates for their communities, from different identities, form a people-powered coalition to fight for dignity and change, we can win.
We want to sincerely thank every single member of North NJ DSA and every community resident who contributed time and energy to this incredible campaign, and ask for your help to get Jake and Joel across the finish line on December 2nd!
We head into the runoff election facing two candidates on the slate of disgraced former governor of New Jersey, Jim McGreevey, who has received hundreds of thousands of dollars from MAGA financial backers. This includes the notorious Charles Kushner, a major Jersey City real estate developer, who has made significant contributions to President Donald Trump’s campaigns and went to prison in 2005 for financial crimes and witness tampering.
If you were inspired by Jake and Joel’s campaigns for city council and want to fight for democratic socialism in your area, join DSA and consider donating to our chapter!
Volunteer with Jake and Joel’s campaigns at their campaign websites linked here and follow them on social media for updates about their push to the runoff election on December 2nd! Solidarity Forever!
Jake Ephros: https://www.jakeforjc.com/
Joel Brooks: https://joelforjc.com/
Jake and Joel Runoff Donation Link: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/jakeandjoelrunoff