Senate Majority Leader Criticizes Fellow Democrats for Christie Endorsements

Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg has lambasted fellow Democrats for backing Gov. Chris Christie’s reelection bid. 

In a statement, the Teaneck senator said officials elected as Democrats owed it to their constituents to support the party ideals.

“Democrats who endorse Republican Governor Chris Christie are being less than true to the people they were elected to represent and are, in fact, undermining the trust of their supporters. There is a difference between bi-partisan cooperation on policies and surrendering the basic beliefs and core principles that are so important to Democratic voters and our belief in what government can and should do,” Weinberg said. “Christie’s Republican agenda not only ignores the needs of middle class families, working people, women, minorities, the poor and the disenfranchised, it has caused them harm.”

Democratic Assembly nominee and Hoboken Housing Authority executive director Carmelo Garcia and his Hudson County Democratic Organization-backed running mates Brian Stack and Raj Mukherji came out in support of Christie's gubernatorial run on Monday.

Garcia said the governor deserved particular praise for his leadership during Hurricane Sandy.

"Governor Christie has been consistent in his leadership in addressing the concerns of the people of New Jersey, that government be accountable to their constituencies," Garcia said. "The governor has gotten results."

Weinberg said party defectors should be excluded from party political meetings, according to politickernj.com.

“I trust that the voters who elected Democrats who later endorse Christie will not follow their lead. I believe that they will stay true to the priorities of the Democratic Party and will support Senator Barbara Buono, who represent and fight for their needs,” Weinberg’s statement said.

The senator’s comments came after Christie picked up support from several Democratic Essex County mayors and Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo, in addition to Garcia, Mukherji and Sen. Stack, who is also the mayor of Union City and holds sway in Hudson County politics.

Stack cited Christie’s accessibility and noted the two don’t always agree, including on same-sex marriage, the Star-Ledger reported.

"I am shocked that someone who has consistently caused intra-party war within her own county is willing to cast a stone at my party loyalty,” Stack said in response to Weinberg’s criticism, politickernj.com reported. “The people have always meant more to me than a party label.”