PERTH AMBOY MAYOR-ELECT BACKS ANDREWS FOR SENATE

PERTH AMBOY MAYOR-ELECT BACKS ANDREWS FOR SENATE
Mayor-elect Wilda Diaz Joins Coalition
of Middlesex County Officials for Andrews

PERTH AMBOY -- Rob Andrews picked up another major endorsement from Middlesex County over the Memorial Day weekend. Perth Amboy Mayor-Elect Wilda Diaz joined a coalition of Middlesex County elected officials who have backed Rob Andrews for Senate.

Diaz is a Democrat who defeated incumbent Mayor Joseph Vas by over 30 percentage points earlier this month in a non-partisan election that sent shock waves throughout the state. The political newcomer said she decided to support Rob Andrews for Senate because they share many of the same ideals.

"Congressman Andrews represents change at a time when too many elected officials have forgotten why they were chosen in the first place. Earlier this month, Perth Amboy sent a clear message that it's time for change, it's time for new ideas and its time for leadership based on more than incumbency or complacency.” Diaz continued, "Rob Andrews will bring the same necessary energy and change to the Senate as our candidacy brought to Perth Amboy. I'm proud to be supporting his campaign."

Mayor-Elect Diaz was joined in her endorsement for Andrews by Perth Amboy Councilmen-elect Fernando A. Gonzalez and Kenneth Balut as well as President of the Puerto Rican Patriotic Cultural Committee, Jacqueline Quiles and United for Change Chairman Hector Bonilla.

"Rob Andrews has the energy and leadership America needs to get out of Iraq, to get the economy back on track and to put people back to work," said Councilman-elect Gonzalez. "I am proud to endorse someone whose leadership will bring about on the national level the same kind of changes we are seeking to make locally."

"Only Rob Andrews will deliver the kind of leadership that can change America's course," said Councilman-elect Balut. "We have no need for more of the same as our new senator, he will have the energy and the experience to steer this country in a new direction."

Bonilla said, "As a Latino, I view Rob Andrews' record in supporting and advocating for the Hispanic community in South Jersey as far superior to Frank Lautenberg's. As a Congressman, he has been a great help to our community in his area and I'm excited to see him do the same for the entire state as a Senator."

Diaz became the latest member of a coalition of Middlesex County Democrats in endorsing Congressman Rob Andrews for Senate including Senator Barbara Buono, Senator Joseph Vitale, Senator Bob Smith, Assemblyman John Wisniewski, Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac, Carteret Mayor Dan Rieman, Middlesex Borough Mayor Jerry D'Angelo, East Brunswick Chairman Shawn Taylor and Middlesex Borough Chairman Ron Dimura.

Wilda Diaz, Fernando Gonzalez and Kenneth Balut will be sworn into office on July 1.