Peg Schaffer’s Statement on the passing of Commissioner Kenneth Armwood
"Until today, I thought the world had taken enough from us this past year, but then I learned of the sudden passing of my dear friend, Commissioner Ken Armwood. Ken, a prince of a man, was one of the first elected officials to step forward and offer his support, wisdom and powerful oratory to the very red county I was elected to lead. For a while, he became our go-to key note elected at every Somerset event because we had so few of our own. But he did so graciously and with his ever-present smile and infectious laugh. He lit up every room into which he entered. As recently as last year, he subbed in for a Black Caucus event on an hour’s notice when the Lt. Governor was unavailable. He may have been Piscataway’s favorite son, but he was Somerset’s adopted son. When Somerset started turning blue, Ken joked that he had become the forgotten man and wondered if we had revoked his honorary citizenship. No, Ken. You will forever be one of us, having earned your share in the successes you helped us achieve. Although experience shows that none of us is irreplaceable, you have left a space in our hearts which will be hard to fill. I guess that post-COVID bear hug you promised to share now belongs to the angels. Godspeed."
Somerset County Democratic Convention Lines Up Another Winning Team for the 2021 Elections
Somerset County Democratic Convention Lines Up Another Winning Team for the 2021 Elections
The OrganizationThrows Its Support to Proven Incumbents and Qualified Challengers Led by Governor Murphy and Commissioners Robinson and Sooy following all recommendations of the Screening Committee.
Somerville - Somerset County Democrats looks to extend and expand five years of wins with another strong team geared towards electoral success in 2021. The Somerset County Democratic ticket will be led county-wide by Governor Phil Murphy, Commissioner Director Shanel Robinson, and Commissioner Deputy Director Sara Sooy.
“Democrats have proven for years that they are committed to the people of Somerset County, and during the past year of the pandemic crisis, they proved they are up to the task no matter how big the challenge,” said Somerset County Democratic Chair Peg Schaffer. “I’m honored to support and dedicated to fighting to ensure that next January we can continue to rely on Governor Murphy and Commissioners Robinson and Sooy to lead us out of the pandemic like they’ve led us during it. Together they will move us forward advancing the interests of all Somerset County residents.”
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Somerset County Democrats Donate Groceries on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Somerville, NJ – Somerset County embraced Martin Luther King, Jr’s message of service to others to fill more than three rooms of their Somerville offices with food donations over just two days. The effort was in conjunction with President Biden’s National Day of Service and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
“So many of our friends and neighbors in Somerset County are hurting due to the COVID-19 economic downturn,” said Somerset County Commission Director Shanel y. Robinson. “I’m so happy that the Somerset County Democrats were moved by King’s message to lift up their neighbors in these difficult times.”
The donations were loaded into a van from the Foodbank Network of Somerset County and brought to their warehouse in Bridgewater. The donations will then be distributed by the Foodbank Network to families in need to the food pantries located in Somerville, Bound Brook, and North Plainfield.
“Democrats have made great strides as they lead and improve county government in these trying times,” said Somerset County Democratic Chair Peg Schaffer. “But Somerset County Democrats also lead as community volunteers, and this Day of Service food collection is one of dozens of projects led and supported by our members throughout the year.
The mission of The Food Bank Network is to distribute food and to provide other basic human needs to those less fortunate in our community in a manner which recognizes and advances self-worth and human dignity.
“When I walked into the Somerset County Democratic offices this afternoon I was amazed at the quantity of food our volunteers collected in just two days,” said Somerset County Surrogate Tina Jalloh. “Many families in our communities will be able to make it through the pandemic because of the work of the great Food Bank Network of Somerset County volunteers, and I’m glad to do my small part as one of them.”
“Martin Luther King’s message of community and mutual respect is just as important today as it was when he delivered it more than 50 years ago,” said Somerset County Clerk Steve Peter. “This effort for the Day of Service is a tribute to King’s message, and I look forward to carrying it with me throughout the year.”
“The Food Bank Network of Somerset County does amazing work all year ‘round, and I am thrilled to support them today and every day,” said Somerset County Commission Deputy Director Sara Sooy. “I want to thank the Somerset County Democratic volunteers who worked so hard to help so many people to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. and participate in the Day of Service.”
If you or a family member are in need please contact The Food Bank Network of Somerset County at (732) 560-1813.
If you would like to make a financial donation, you can go to https://www.somersetfoodbank.org/donate to do so.
The main pantry is located at 9E Easy Street, Middlebrook Crossroads Industrial Park in Bound Brook, NJ and operates 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM, Monday through Friday.
Additional pantries are located at the Bound Brook Presbyterian Church on 409 Mountain Blvd., Bound Brook, NJ and Shiloh Pentecostal Church on 139 Davenport Street Somerville, NJ and the Vermeule Community Center, 614 Greenbrook Road, North Plainfield, NJ.
The pantries at the Bound Brook Presbyterian Church and Shiloh Pentecostal Church operate 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM, Every Saturday. The pantry at the Vermeule Center operates 10:00 AM - 12 Noon on the Last two Saturdays of the Month.
Somerset County Democrats Celebrate Green Brook Win
Green Brook, NJ – Following the final certification of the 2020 Elections by Somerset County Clerk Steve Peter, lifetime Green Brook resident Matthew Stanisci is officially the highest vote recipient for Green Brook Township Committee. He is the first Democrat to serve on the Township Committee since 2014 when Edward Pfeifer finished his second term.
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Drake and Singleterry Sweep the Endorsements for Somerset County Freeholder
Environmental, Labor, and Education Organizations Once Again Back Democrats to Lead Somerset County’s Future
Somerville, NJ – Leading organizations fighting for the environment, good jobs at good wages, and a great education for our children have spoken with one voice: they support Democrats Paul Drake and Doug Singleterry for Freeholder in Somerset County.
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Statement from Peg Schaffer on the President's COVID status
Somerville - “NJ 101.5, a Pro Trump talk radio station reports that the President knew he, his staff, and his Secret Service protection had been exposed to -- in Air Force One’s enclosed cabin with recycled air! -- and may have contracted COVID-19 on Thursday morning, and instead of following CDC guidelines and isolating until his test came through Trump came to Somerset County and held an indoor, mask-free fundraiser with Central Jersey business, government, and political leaders.""And this morning we wake up to learn that Trump was infected with COVID-19 while glad-handing his supporters in Bedminster."
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Like President Trump, Somerset GOP Chair Denigrates Other Republicans to Discredit the 2020 Election
Claims Voter List Managed by Republican Chair and Administrator of the Board of Elections Could Lead to “Confusion” and “Fraud”; Mistrusts His Own Party’s Election Officials He is Holding All Evidence in the GOP HQ Instead of Assisting in A Free and Fair Election
Tim Howes has been chair of the Somerset County Republicans for a whole two months, and already he’s showing that he’s more than willing to attack anyone – including fellow Somerset County Republicans -- in order to follow President Trump’s lead in attacking the 2020 election.
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Donald Trump Accuses Election Workers of Both Parties of Either Incompetence or Fraud
Today Donald Trump sunk to a new low in his attacks on United States democracy and voting, turning his sights on the local elections office and the bipartisan staff who ensures fair and accurate ballot counts.
"It's not the post office," Trump said. "No, it's the elections office. The post office — look, this is a con job. It's like the Russian hoax."
“The problem is when they dump all these [ballots] in front of a few people who are counting them, and they're going to count them wrong," the president said in the interview, without offering evidence. "The post office is not to blame.”
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Somerset County Democratic Committee Black Caucus Chair, Tina Jalloh, Excited to Run with Biden/Harris Ticket
Seeing Joe Biden and Senator Kamala Harris standing on that stage together was a joy and is indicative of how the Democratic Party and our Nation are moving forward positively on issues of race and gender. Joe Biden has been a champion of civil rights issues for decades, and now we have a strong Black woman as his Vice Presidential nominee. Senator Kamala Harris has always fought to make a positive difference in the lives of the American people of all races, color, and economic groups. As the Chairwoman of the Somerset County Democratic Black Caucus, as well as a Black woman running on the Biden-Harris ticket, I could not be more excited to campaign through Election Day on November 3rd, to bring real, positive change for the American people and the people of Somerset County. -- Tina Jalloh, 2020 candidate for Somerset County Surrogate and Chair of the Somerset County Democratic Black Caucus.
Somerset County Democratic Asian American Caucus Applaud the Selection of Senator Harris as Candidate for Vice President
The Somerset County Democratic Asian American Caucus has supported Senators Kamala Harris and Cory Booker, in the past. We are delighted with her selection. We urge everyone including all Asian Americans to vote for the Biden-Harris ticket and the entire Democratic line. It is a historic moment for all Asian Americans, our own Kamala Devi Harris is running. She is a first-generation daughter, raised by an Asian American immigrant mother, the late Dr. Shyamala Gopalan Harris a cancer researcher, from Chennai India. She has achieved this high opportunity to serve and possibly more awaits her in the future, with everyone’s support. This could only happen in America. We could not be more excited to campaign for the Biden-Harris team now, and urge everyone to vote for them on Election Day Tuesday, November 3rd. This will be the real, positive change that America and Somerset County need to correct the racial divide in America. This is a historic and bold decision by Vice President Biden and he should be rewarded for it. – Rajiv Prasad Chairman of the Somerset County Democratic Asian American Caucus.