08/02/2017
We Are Running For Governor!!! I Accept!!
My name is Lisa Durden. I am a journalist, producer, media personality and social commentator. I have always been active around community issues in my hometown of Newark and the state of New Jersey; speaking out on things I care about.
In early June, I appeared on the FoxNews Tucker Carlson Show, defending the right of a Black Lives Matter chapter to create a safe space for people of color on Memorial Day, to reflect on violence in our communities. The surprise came a few days later when I went to teach my class at Essex County College only to be told that I was suspended for my appearance; punishing me for exercising my right to free speech. Subsequently they fired me without due process.
So I was a little surprised again a few days later, when Seth’s campaign reached out to me. A black-led school in a predominantly black city sought to silence me for speaking out yet this guy called me up to tell me he thought I was great on that show and he said he also checked out my cable program The Lisa Durden Show and “loved it.”
In the following weeks, I met campaign staffers and Seth several times. I visited the campaign officeand Seth’s church, where I saw the refugee café, an affordable housing site, the space for after school activities for kids and other programs Seth helped create.
I saw with my own eyes that the “Last Are First” platform to empower people relegated to the bottom isn’t just another political promise, it is Seth’s personal commitment and professional practice.
Well that was enough to make me go green. I’m black but I’m also green! I am committed to working to represent other marginalized people being ignored and silenced by New Jersey’s main two parties.
On Tuesday July 25, I officially accepted Seth Kaper-Dale’s proposal to join his team as candidate for Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey. I hope to meet many of you in the next weeks and months as we are reaching out to people from Jersey City to Vineland to get out our message – We Are Running for Governor – and when I say we I mean all of us. Not just Seth and myself but all of us who have been excluded, disregarded and silenced. We DO have a voice in this election.
But to make our voices heard the loudest we need to get into the fall debates. In NJ this means our campaign is forced to raise $430,000 before August 31. As of now, the campaign has raised close to $100,000 so far but time is short and we have a lot of money to raise to get the Only Progressives Running onto the debate stage. If you can donate the maximum contribution of $4,300 fantastic. But if you can only donate $4.30 that’s fine too. Help us get your voice heard - donate today at kaperdaleforgovernor.com/donate!
Lisa Durden
