Looking Forward, After NJ Governor Election

By: Kelsi Brown, Ken Kurtulik, Dan Siegel

On Nov. 7, Phil Murphy was elected to serve as New Jersey’s 56th governor. Murphy supporters in New Brunswick’s immigrant community are hoping for positive change in the state, with crucial issues at stake that could affect their daily lives.

With headquarters in New Brunswick, New Labor is an organization that advocates for the immigrant community and protests mistreatment of local workers. New Labor employee Reynalda Cruz is hopeful that Murphy will follow through on his promise to give the immigrant community a voice in politics.

“We really need to have this change,” said Cruz, who has lived in New Brunswick since immigrating to the United States from Mexico in 1997. “We have a presence in the state, but Chris Christie hasn’t let the citizens of New Jersey have a voice.”

In the wake of the 2016 presidential election, Murphy’s win was a relief to Cruz, who witnessed the value of participating in the political process.

“I was nervous because of the past election, when I expected Hillary Clinton to win but instead we had the Trump upset,” Cruz said. “I was paying close attention to the election, because I was scared it would happen again.”

With Murphy being sworn in January 16th, Cruz is hopeful he’ll take action on numerous issues in the state.

“I’m really interested in how he’s going to help students, and the anti wage-theft bill we’re pushing for,” Cruz said. “I’d like a higher minimum wage, better protections for workers, and higher regulations of temp agencies. I’m also hoping New Jersey becomes a sanctuary state.”

New Brunswick resident Germania Hernandez, who also works for New Labor and moved from the Dominican Republic in 2004, hopes that Murphy’s policies will help those in need.

“I hope the political changes benefit everyone, not just the wealthy,” Hernandez said, addressing concerns over Murphy’s financial status. “As you know, we don’t have the majority of wealth, and oftentimes we’re left behind…I hope New Jersey becomes a state in which everyone’s included.”

Noting the country’s current leadership, Hernandez is hopeful that Murphy’s progressive policies will spread to other states.

“I want a lot of things to change,” Hernandez said, “not just in New Jersey but on the national level. I acknowledge that you can’t really do everything at once, though. Right now, I’m hopeful that he’ll make New Jersey a state everyone’s protected in, regardless of their status or nationality.”

Like Cruz, Hernandez believes that Murphy’s election inspired people whose voices have often fallen on deaf ears.

“He promised a lot of things on the campaign, and that gives a lot of people hope,” Hernandez said. “I hope he’s going to have the ability to follow through on those campaign promises. I can’t wait for January to start, so he can just start signing bills and doing what he has to do.”

Since last year’s presidential election, Hernandez has become more comfortable with her place in the voting process.

“This was my second time voting,” Hernandez said. “This time, it was a lot better…the last time I went, I was scared people would jump on top of me, or ask for a lot of paperwork, trying to prevent me from voting. It was a lot easier this time, because the state provided me with helpful information, letting me know what to do at the ballot.”

Hernandez believes that she’s become a little more politically active leading up to the election, realizing the importance in getting involved.

“I still don’t understand everything at all levels of politics,” Hernandez said. “I was talking to a friend of New Labor, who works for an organization that deals more with politics. I’m really interested in getting her to come speak to us at some point, to explain more about how politics work in the community.”

Hernandez believes that although it’s not yet time to celebrate, Murphy’s election indicates a positive shift in the public’s political interests. “I hope that his political promises actually come to fruition,” Hernandez concluded. “I hope this becomes a political awakening in people, a movement against politics that benefit the very select few- especially based on wealth, religion, or nationality. I hope this energy keeps going and helps bring about change.”

Following Murphy’s election, Lisa Swyzen and Emily Davis of Rutgers University had more to say about the governor that will be sworn in in less than two months.

Swyzen said her political engagement increased in the days leading to the election. Before voting, she made sure to research both candidates thoroughly, giving them both the same chance.

On the day of the election, Swyzen said she reached out to her friends on GroupMe, encouraging them to vote with her. Her message started a debate with friends on the application.

In her message Swyzen mentioned that the United States is the only country that is not in the Paris climate accord and that Murphy said he wants to combat climate change. A friend in the GroupMe challenged her back saying that China is part of the accord but is also a major polluter.

Swyzen did not know that her message to vote would start a heated debate. Swyzen typed to her friends, “I didn’t write in here to debate. I think the Paris Accord is important because we are one planet when it comes to our environment, not a bunch of countries.” She continued in saying, “I wrote here for those who are registered because I feel that it is important to vote for a state governor who wants to work towards clean energy and has plans for it.”

Swyzen said she was happy to hear that Murphy won. As an environmental major, she says she is looking forward to Murphy putting plans in action to work towards a cleaner world. Swyzen said she wants Murphy to start something that she can help to make a difference with her degree.

As for Davis, not much has changed in her mind following the election results. She said she felt indifferent about the announcement of Murphy being victorious.

Davis plans to leave New Jersey after graduation, but still has at least two years left at Rutgers. During these two years, Davis says she will try to follow what Murphy accomplishes in office. Davis had said before the election that she will believe Murphy’s promises and proposals once they are actually put into motion.

The views of these Rutgers girls did not appear to change following the election. If anything, the election results pushed Swyzen to become more involved. She also feels that with Murphy her college major of environmental science will have more of a meaning. Davis remains unconcerned about Murphy. Davis says the only politician she worries about is Pres. Donald Trump.

Vincent Rifici, a 65-year-old New Brunswick resident, is happy Murphy is New Jersey’s next governor, but he is not surprised.

People tend to vote the sitting party out rather than a new governor in when party affiliation swaps, Rifici said. Gov. Chris Christie’s poor approval rating was as important as the candidate’s policy positions. The political climate Murphy was elected in may differ, but his policies fall in line with Democratic governors of years past, Rifici said.

Rifici’s level of political engagement remained high this year, he said. His primary policy concerns never wavered from the sparsely debated improvement of state finances, economic recovery, repair of the state’s bond rating and funding of finance programs.

There was little concern that Murphy would win for 61-year-old New Brunswick resident Susan Painter. She was more excited about the national response. A Democratic governor was also elected in Virginia and Democrats performed well in down-ballot elections in New Jersey.

“I was happy about the progress women made, especially,” Painter said.

In Atlantic County, Democratic candidate Ashley Bennett won a seat on the Board of Freeholders. Bennett entered the race after sitting Freeholder John Carman disparaged women on social media for participating in the Jan. 21 women’s march in Washington D.C.

“Things have swung so far to the right,” Painter said.

Though Democratic candidates for governor have remained steady on policy issues over the years, the climate Murphy will serve under is different from former New Jersey governors, Painter said. Area residents never had to consider declaring New Jersey a sanctuary state before, she said. Just last month, a couple fearing deportation took sanctuary in the Reformed Church of Highland Park.

“We never faced these issues before Trump got into office,” Painter said, referring to Pres. Donald Trump

Painter’s political engagement remained high through the election season, she said.

Participating in the Voting Block project gave her a new perspective, though, she believes. It is important to speak with people impacted by immigration policy and understand their perspective. Cruz and Hernandez’s personal view of Guadagno’s attack ad insinuating all immigrants are criminals was very insightful, she said.