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Asbury Park City Council candidates Felicia Simmons and Kerry Butch [above] have announced their endorsement by two statewide advocacy organizations: New Jersey Citizen Action and the New Jersey Tenants Organization.

The following is the full news release issued by the Butch-Simmons campaign:

Heralding their robust social justice platform and recognizing their achievements toward fair housing and rent stabilization, two major New Jersey advocacy organizations have endorsed Kerry Butch and Felicia Simmons for Asbury Park City Council. 

New Jersey Citizen Action and the New Jersey Tenants Organization expressed support for the candidates, stating that the duo have the track record, empathy, community commitment and progressive outlook that will best serve the citizens of Asbury Park. 

“The New Jersey Citizen Action Political Action Committee has endorsed Kerry Butch and Felicia Simmons because both candidates have pledged to fight for a fair budget and increased job training and employment opportunities for all Asbury Park residents with a special focus on young adults,” stated Executive Director Phyllis Salowe-Kaye. 

The organization’s leadership went on to say that the Butch-Simmons ticket is “committed to increased community development throughout the city, targeting the West Side of the City. Butch and Simmons have emphasized the value of diversity and pledge to address the structural inequities that cause harm and prevent equal opportunities for all. These two women have a proven track record of advocating for the issues that most closely align with NJCA’s mission of fighting for social, racial and economic justice. The voters of Asbury Park would be well served by electing them to serve on the Asbury Park City Council.” 

Another big win for Butch and Simmons came when notified that the New Jersey Tenants Organization (NJTO) endorsed them also. The duo successfully advocated for new affordable housing law and helped negotiate the recently passed ordinances. Additionally, they helped draft and are currently collecting signatures to put a strong rent stabilization ordinance on the ballot in Asbury Park. According to the 2018 US Census, 79% of the residents of Asbury Park are renters. The NJTO is the oldest, largest statewide tenant membership organization in the United States and has been successful in lobbying at the state level for tenants’ rights and affordable housing. It has a history of endorsing political candidates who are pro-tenant. Matt Shapiro, President, emphasized, “It’s unconscionable that the City of Asbury Park has been dragging its feet on providing something substantive to protect renters. The rental market in Asbury Park is becoming too expensive and many people are feeling pushed out. We believe the election of Kerry Butch and Felicia Simmons will change the narrative.”

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