The apparent resolution of the 2020 presidential election brought dozens of statements regarding President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris from leaders around New Jersey.
The following are highlights of just a few:
Gov. Phil Murphy
(Democrat)
“This week, the United States elected a president who will lead with moral courage, personal conviction and facts. It is no exaggeration to say that changing the way our country approaches this ongoing pandemic will save lives.
“I know President-elect Biden will work to bring this country together and will work toward ensuring equal justice and opportunity for everyone. I cannot wait to work with the Biden-Harris administration on funding the Gateway Tunnel, passing a stimulus bill with state and local aid, protecting and building on the Affordable Care Act and restoring the (state and local tax) deduction. The Biden-Harris administration will be an incredible opportunity for New Jersey, and for our country, to finish much of our critical unfinished business.
“More than anything, I look forward to honor and honesty being restored to the presidency. May we never turn back.”
Debbie Walsh
Director of Center for American Women and Politics, located at Rutgers University
“Kamala Harris’ win puts to rest the question of the electability of women to high office — a question that haunted both the women and people of color who ran for the Democratic nomination this cycle.
“To women and girls of all walks of life, of every political persuasion, Harris’ ascension to the vice presidency broadens the horizons of the possible.”
U.S. Sen. Cory Booker
(D-N.J.)
“Americans made their voices heard in historic numbers.
“They chose love over hate, hope over fear, unity over division.”
Ras Baraka, mayor of Newark
(Democrat)
“Congratulations to President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris, and thank you to every Newarker who voted in this historic election. The past four years have ripped the bandage off the wound of inequality in American democracy that has festered for generations. Narrowing the extreme disparities in wealth and income, health care, education, housing, etc., needs to be a central priority of our nation.
“As Newarkers, we have faith that a Biden-Harris administration will set our nation on a new path of equity, collaboration, empowerment, education and safety. COVID-19 has taught us that the new normal will be very different from the normal to which we have become accustomed. Creating a new normal grounded in social, racial and economic justice is arguably the greatest challenge we face. The new president and vice president we have elected are leaders who can meet that challenge.
“For the past four years, while our government in Washington has promoted the rhetoric of hate and white supremacy while serving only those of extreme wealth, many of our cities have been a laboratory in innovation and democracy with police reforms, equitable development, environmental justice and much more. We are proof that change starts at the local level in our neighborhoods, community organizations, religious institutions and small businesses. We will now have a president and vice president with the wisdom and will to further implement what we have shown to be possible with Newark strong and leading.”
Heather Arnet
CEO of the Women and Girls Foundation
“Kamala Harris is going to be a force for good in the White House and for our country.
“This is an important moment for our country. It’s going to be so meaningful to our girls who can now see that we can do it. We belong in the Oval Office, too.
“I hope you boys have enjoyed your first few hundred years. Now, it’s our turn.”
Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin
(D-Woodbridge)
“Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will unite our country, eliminate the hateful rhetoric coming out of the White House and end the era of leading by tweet.”
U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill
(D-11th Dist.)
“I have been waiting my entire life to see a woman in the White House, and I couldn’t be more thrilled than to have Kamala Harris as our vice president. I look forward to working with President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris to secure a better future for New Jersey families and all Americans across the country.”
Kevin McCabe
Democratic chairman of Middlesex County
“Today is a landmark day in our nation’s history. It is the day we restore honor and integrity to the highest office in the land. It is the day when we restore the rule of law and our values in government. It is the day that we restore respect for our nation from our allies abroad.
“It is also the day that we can finally show our daughters that, with the election of Kamala Harris, a woman finally has a seat at the most important table in the world. It tells our communities of color that they are co-equal partners in our national enterprise.”
