Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter (D-35) trusts the principals in LD-35 will resolve the issues seemingly putting everyone in the Paterson-based district on a Democratic Primary collision course.
Paterson, of course, didn’t perform up to snuff for Democrats in the presidential election, and now the fascinating North Jersey city limps into a gubernatorial year with slate mates Sumter and Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly (D-35) at odds over the senate seat left behind by U.S. Rep.-elect Nellie Pou.
“My experience as an elected official going back to 2012 and serving on the Democratic State Committee going back to 2008, does show me that these things tend to work themselves out,” she said. “It’s not yet settled but I am hopeful, and I would be honored [to receive the backing of the Democratic Committee in LD-35].”
Both Sumter and Wimberly appear all in on the senate seat.
Like her colleague, Sumter doesn’t yet have a choice for governor at present, amid more adversarial optics between the Bergen-based U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (whose party chair, Paul Juliano, backs him) and U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, who seems more likely – according to sources – to grab the backing of Sumter’s chair, Passaic County Democratic Committee Chairman John Currie.
“I like them all,” Sumter told InsiderNJ, when asked about whom she favors to succeed Governor Phil Murphy. “They’re all current servants and truthfully in this climate I’m grateful for them putting themselves out there. It’s not the best climate out there. It’s highly contentious and polarized.”
If Sumter arguably has an edge with party insiders for establishment backing on the strength of Chairman Currie’s friendship (in possibly a test in part of Currie’s strength as chairman currently), an insider did mention that he had heard Wimberly’s name in connection with lieutenant governor. Might he get offered the chance to serve in a cabinet (Sherrill’s, for example) in exchange for bowing out of the senate contest and supporting Sumter for the senate seat? The source made the observation as a purely speculative matter.
For his part, Wimberly shows no sign of taking his eyes off the senate seat, same as Sumter, in a larger atmosphere marked by cutthroat politics.
How did national politics become unglued, InsiderNJ asked the assemblywoman.
“Part of it is [President-elect Donald] Trump’s saturation of the media airwaves with a visceral message of everything being wrong with America versus what is right. On the Democratic side, we have done great work, but we need to connect closer with people, and that is where I am comfortable, in the community.”
Sumter described her disbelief on Election Night and its aftermath.
“I went through the stages of grief,” admitted the assemblywoman.
She attributed Passaic County going to Trump over Kamala Harris in part to a statement made by the Muslim/Palestinian community against the Democratic Part, and in part to Latino males deciding not to support the candidacy of the vice president. “There are smart voters out there, though, because in Passaic County, while Kamala Harris lost, and I would attribute that too to misogyny and sexism, our county commissioners won,” Sumter said.
Regarding her own candidacy for the state senate seat, Sumter said she wants people to remember “that I raised my family in the community. I want to remind them too of the work I do at a nonprofit hospital, in the areas of children’s aid and family services, treating addiction and mental health needs. My life’s work has been of service. I want them to remember that about me, that I do not do this for anything I can gain, but for the people. Legislatively, I want them to remember my work restoring the right to vote to persons on probation and parole, on improving access to healthcare as a member of the healthcare committee, passing New Jersey’s healthcare exchange system, and putting in place full funding and restoration for Paterson schools and Hinchliffe Stadium.”
Sumter said she continues to encounter many in her district who are saddened by the results of the presidential election.
“My faith helps me to stay rooted and love for my neighbor, that’s part of the Ten Commandments,” said the assemblywoman. “My value system sustains me, and while it can be frustrating to be in public life at times, I want to lend my voice in a positive and constructive way. I run into people all the time now, who are teary eyed and scared of the future. What gave me comfort in part was on the Thursday following the last. I was in Eva’s Village sitting next to [former U.S. Rep.] Charlie Rangel. He said America has been through tough times before, especially for black people. We will get through this. We will find comfort in those who share our value system and we will forge ahead. We will fight and we will live. We can’t be hopeless and helpless. He crystallized that for me – that and a good dose of church.”
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