Carol and I first met in 2004 at a fundraiser for Common Cause New Jersey and the Center for Civic Responsibility - two nonpartisan organizations renowned for their promotion of open government and sunshine laws. Because of her zealous commitment to ending pay-to-play, fiscal mismanagement and overdevelopment, I was happy to join her as a running mate for City Council in the 2005 Hoboken Mayoral election. And now, as she makes a run for the Democratic nomination for State Assembly, I enthusiastically support her efforts to bring reform on a statewide level.
What kind of person is Carol? Honest. A rarity indeed in today's political world. When she and I were running together in 2005, we would go to the same place for morning coffee after meeting with voters. The coffee shop owner once refused payment from Carol for that day's coffee. Carol insisted on paying for it. She wanted no favors from anyone, anywhere. This story may sound trite, but it reveals something about her that I admire most - character and honesty. She's not running for Assembly to get a favor, to get no-show jobs for her friends or to get any other special treatment. She's running because she cares about Hoboken and her County and would be honored to serve you.
Much will be made of the fact of that she is being endorsed by the Hudson County Democratic Organization - the very same group that helped spend over $1 million to defeat Carol and my running mates in 2005. But it's not Carol coming to the HCDO, it's the HCDO coming to Carol. Perhaps they are doing penance for their failure to support her in 2005. Perhaps they are finally heeding the people's call for reform. I don't know their motivation but I do know Carol.
A vote for Carol Marsh will put one more vote for reform in the Assembly. Regardless of who supports whom and why, Carol in the Assembly can only be a good thing.
Please join me in supporting Carol in the Democratic Primary in June. If you're a Democrat, please help the campaign and vote for her. If you're unaffiliated or are a Republican, I also urge you to join the campaign and the Democratic Party so that you can vote in the primary. New Jersey will only change, if we help change it.
Sincerely,
Brian Urbano
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