Progressive Democrat Issue 34: NEW JERSEY FOCUS

(from the Democrats 2000 website):

NEWSFLASH TO NJ COLLEGE REPUBLICANS:
SUPPORT OF YOUNG VOTERS IS NOT FOR SALE!

Jamesburg , N.J. – Shocked and appalled by the overtures made by the New Jersey College Republicans, Democrats 2000 today denounced unsavory tactics used to shakedown Party and campaign officials in exchange for the support of younger GOP voters.

“It is unfortunate that the Republican Party has instilled in its youngest members the notion that the support and votes of our generation is for sale,” said Steven Lenox, president of Democrats 2000. “What kind of message does that send to young voters who are already disenfranchised?

“For more than a decade, our organization has strived to support young candidates without any hint of impropriety. It is a shame that there is no comparable organization within the state's Republican Party to help us engage young voters on both sides of the aisle,” Lenox added.

In e-mails obtained by politicsnj.com , the now-former NJ College Republican chairman, Steven Damion, demanded money in return for the organization's support. Damion wrote: “If there is a 3,000 dollar check waiting for me I am coming running and the campaign will have total access to our resources at all times, no problem.”
“This exchange between the College Republican leader and Republican Party and campaign officials is startling. Young voters should be encouraged to participate in the democratic process and support candidates based upon their merits and their support of issues affecting our generation and our families,” Lenox added.
Established in 1992, Democrats 2000 has become the largest and most active organization for younger generation Democrats in New Jersey . Through grassroots fundraising, the organization has become a vehicle for younger generation Democrats to get involved in New Jersey 's political process and helps them establish relationships that will last throughout their careers.

Please write a letter to the editor expressing your disgust at the behavior of the NJ Young Republicans.