TRENTON — Jeff Gardner, a liberal activist and attorney from Hawthorne, announced today he plans to challenge state Sen. John Girgenti in the Democratic primary. Gardner, upset over Girgenti’s (D-Passaic) vote against gay marriage last year, led a successful charge to oust most of his allies on the Hawthorne Democratic committee in June. Today, Gardner opened a campaign account...
New Jersey Sen. John Girgenti (D-Passaic). Jeff Gardner, a liberal activist and attorney from Hawthorne, announced today he plans to challenge state Girgenti in the Democratic primary. TRENTON — Jeff Gardner, a liberal activist and attorney from Hawthorne, announced today he plans to challenge state Sen. John Girgenti in the Democratic primary.
Gardner, upset over Girgenti’s (D-Passaic) vote against gay marriage last year, led a successful charge to oust most of his allies on the Hawthorne Democratic committee in June.
Today, Gardner opened a campaign account and announced his candidacy on the progressive blog Blue Jersey.
“I guess any speculating can stop now,” Gardner wrote. “Oh sure, there is much that can happen between now and the June primary, what with redistricting, and the lobbying and jockeying for positions, etc. that is bound to follow. But, I wanted to make sure Blue Jersey readers were the first to hear that I've opened up a campaign account, and have officially tossed my proverbial hat into the ring for the 2011 Primary.”
Reached for comment, Gardner said Girgenti has “outlived his usefulness” and is “not delivering for his district.” Girgenti’s vote against gay marriage, he said, spurred him into action, but is not the only reason he’s running.
“I feel that the senator gave me no choice to run when he cast that vote, but this has been a long time coming,” he said.
Girgenti could not immediately be reached for comment.
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