Councilman James Endorses Andrews for Senate

COUNCILMAN JAMES ENDORSES ANDREWS FOR SENATE
Newark Leader Says New Jersey Needs New Leadership and Energy in Senate
Calls Andrews a Passionate and Effective Advocate of Urban Issues

NEWARK -- Councilman Oscar S. James, II today endorsed Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Rob Andrews, saying he represented the "fresh, energetic leadership we need: in Washington.

James, Newark's youngest-ever elected official, said Andrews was the "clear-cut choice" for Democrats in the June 3 primary because of his aggressive advocacy of issues that affect working Americans, especially the often-forgotten residents of urban areas who need better access to affordable housing, education and health care.

"Rob Andrews has always recognized the challenges faced by inner-city Americans, especially our urban youth, and has worked hard as a member of Congress to find solutions to their problems," James said. "We need him fighting for us in the Senate."

"He represents change and the passing of the torch to the next generation of leadership in the Senate," James added. "He listens to us, he shares our concerns, and he has a track record of standing up for us in Washington. He has our enthusiastic and unequivocal support." James has been a leading advocate of children since his election to the Newark City Council.

Andrews said he was gratified to receive James' endorsement and vowed to continue championing the critical issues affecting urban America. He noted that New Jersey gets severely shortchanged in the amount of federal dollars it receives and said one of his priorities will be to make sure the state starts receiving its fair share. He said millions of dollars of that money should be allocated to New Jersey's urban areas.

"Nowhere are the serious problems of skyrocketing grocery and gas prices, as well as the lack of affordable health care, education and housing, felt more deeply than in our cities," Andrews said. "I am committed to work even harder in the Senate to alleviate those burdens and provide the economic incentives needed for new development in our urban areas. I look forward to working with Councilman James and other elected officials and community leaders in Newark and throughout Essex County to make sure their concerns are heard in the Senate."