US Senator Bob Menendez today kicked off his re-election campaign in his home turf, Union City, NJ. The Union City High School gymnasium was bursting at the seems with students and teachers, administrators, and politicians from all over the State. The students received an education for sure.
The speakers included fellow State Senator & Union City Mayor Brian P. Stack, Governor Phil Murphy, and fellow US Senator Cory Booker. All spoke eloquently, and each proudly wearing New Jersey on their chests, with Menendez even referencing the popular phrase “Jersey Strong”. Every speaker pledged their support to the US Senator’s bid for re-election. Host city Mayor Stack spoke the most brief, but was for sure fired up, and the students were quick to applaud and show love for their Mayor.
Governor Murphy with a big smile on his face literally hopped onto the stage as though a teenager. He joked as to the size of yet another rally in Union City. The City and Mayor are synonymous for their lively and extremely well attended events. Senator Booker, a talented speaker, got the crowd going and on their feet with a well delivered message about "us" against "them"… "them" being the Republicans and the President. Menedez, a great orator himself, delivered a well rehearsed and well delivered speech. He dug into the Republicans’ national agenda, and how he has always stood up for the people of New Jersey. “After Sandy”, he said, “When everyone left, I was still here working for you.” But the best quote of the day was when he said to the hundreds of students present, “I know some of you are too young to vote, but I’m your vote”, which received a great ovation from everyone.
It was a love fest for one one Jersey’s own. One however, could sense the tension in the room, even in this extremely large gymnasium, due to the ever growing Hudson County reignited political infighting. The political divide in the county will surely affect everyone in the State, including Menendez, because, hey, sides must be chosen and decisions made, and no one is safe. Like other political wars, there will be casualties on both sides, and even those who try to remain neutral will suffer the consequences. This is Hudson County, where politics is a contact sport.
(Sitting in the front row, the State's power players: State Senator & Mayor Brian P. Stack, US Senator Cory Booker, NJ Governor Phil Murphy.)
The event went off without a hitch. Security was everywhere, no doubt due to the madness we’re grappling with nationwide.
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