I never thought I’d run for Congress. As a former law enforcement officer, civil rights attorney, and survivor of police brutality and gun violence, my focus has always been on improving the lives of folks in the community right here in South Jersey.
But I just couldn’t stand on the sidelines any longer. Like so many here in the Daily Kos community, I gave my blood, sweat, and tears to elect a Democratic House majority in 2018. For me, that meant giving up my time to volunteer to elect then-Democratic Rep. Jeff Van Drew – now, the infamous Trump-supporting, party-switching congressman in NJ-02.
When Van Drew left our party, he pledged his “undying support” for Donald Trump. Republicans have continued to place party over country time and time again, but Van Drew’s blood oath to the twice-impeached president is among the most egregious examples. Since he made that pledge, he has turned his back on our district and democracy:
- He voted to keep Marjorie Taylor Greene on all committee assignments.
- He voted to acquit Donald Trump twice.
- He voted against the For the People Act, even though he co-sponsored H.R. 1 as a Democrat.
- He voted to overturn President Biden’s legitimate election.
But it’s one thing to explain to you and the voters in my district why Van Drew isn’t right for New Jersey. It’s another to explain why I should replace him:
I married my wife and raised my three children right here in South Jersey. I spent nearly three decades on the beat as a detective, keeping Atlantic County safe and working to foster community relationships between law enforcement and our community. After that, I decided to continue my public service in other ways, working as an assistant district attorney in Philadelphia and then recently as a civil rights attorney.
Like too many other Black men and women, I am also a survivor of gun violence and police brutality. I was shot at and beaten by the police. My life’s mission is to make sure Black and Brown communities no longer have to feel panicked when they get pulled over. I’ve witnessed it and felt it on both sides; it’s not sustainable and it’s not right.
I’m uniquely qualified to take on Jeff Van Drew and flip this district red to blue, but I need your help. We’re just getting started in our fight to protect our health care, tackle gun violence, protect our democracy, and work to make sure President Biden is successful in implementing his commonsense policies.
The only folks I pledge my “undying support” to are the grassroots supporters of my campaign and the people of South Jersey. So if you can, I would sincerely appreciate it if you could donate $27, $50, or whatever you can to my grassroots campaign.
Let’s flip this district — I’ll see you in the comment section if you have any questions!
Tim Alexander