No time for apathy: The 2022 midterms will chart New Jersey's future | Opinion
It’s a so-called off-year for New Jersey — with no statewide or presidential elections on the ballot on Nov. 8. Nevertheless, it is an extremely important election since control of the House of Representatives is in the balance.
No one should sit this one out. There is too much at stake. The results of Congressional races, as well as a host of local and county contests, could have far-ranging impacts for years to come.
This is no time for apathy or indifference. We need our elected leaders to work on solutions to the pressing issues of our time including climate, the nation’s gun violence epidemic, our broken immigration system, inflation and the expansion of affordable health care.
Democrats control the House of Representatives by a slim six-vote margin. If the GOP regains control of Congress, expect President Joe Biden’s agenda to be muted or stalled. Progress made on climate, student loan debt, health care, reproductive rights, and more could be rolled back.
Republicans have already expressed a desire to slash funding for programs — including Medicare and Medicaid — and reduce access to affordable health care, including abortion services. And the GOP has shown outright hostility to protecting the fabric of our democracy, seeking to restrict access to the ballot box and making it more difficult for workers to form and join unions.
In New Jersey, there are two races thought to be particularly close. Democratic incumbents Rep. Andy Kim in District 3, and Rep. Tom Malinowski in District 7, — both hardworking and effective legislators — face aggressive challenges from GOP candidates who will do the bidding of the donor class at the expense of the working class.
Malinowski, Kim and other Democratic candidates deserve our votes if we are to continue progress in ensuring and expanding rights and protections for workers. We must continue the march toward economic, racial and environmental justice.
There’s no shortage of election deniers in Congress — New Jersey’s own Rep. Jeff Van Drew of District 2 voted against certifying the 2020 election. We have to make sure those who don’t respect democracy don’t gain a bigger foothold.
Our elected officials must fight for better living and working conditions for all and work to safeguard and promote union rights and voting rights! Working people need to be heard; your vote is your voice.
The SEIU NJ State Council is comprised of unions representing service workers throughout the state. It includes those who work in nursing homes and hospitals, state motor vehicle inspection stations, industrial laundries, warehouse and distribution centers, school cafeterias, municipal services and more.
Our members make up the backbone of the state’s economy. We’re among the essential workers who kept New Jersey running during the pandemic. We’re part of the fabric of our communities – and we vote. Our members, and all of New Jersey’s hardworking families need to make sure our concerns and priorities are addressed.
We need representatives who respect our work and stand up for our families. We can’t stand by when there are threats to essential benefits and rights, such as health care and voting. Familiarize yourself with local races and make a plan to vote.
It's easier than ever to vote in New Jersey. The state now has early in-person and vote-by-mail options as well as the traditional in-person option on Election Day.
The SEIU NJ State Council is composed of unions representing nearly 15,000 service employees across the state who are members of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, The Laundry, Distribution and Food Service Joint Board, Workers United, The Committee of Interns and Residents, and 32BJ-Motor Vehicle Inspectors.
Milly Silva is president of the SEIU New Jersey State Council and secretary-treasurer of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ midterms 2022: Voters must turn out
