Statement of Senator Weinberg, Assembly members Johnson & Huttle

To us, being a Democrat isn't only a label you wear; it's a set of ideals you live.

We've fought to put our Democratic priorities and principles to work in legislation that takes on special interests from the gun lobby to Big Tobacco to the Republican extremists. We've stood up to preserve the environment, protect our children, honor our senior citizens and make health care more affordable and accessible. We demand tax fairness and fiscal responsibility. We've worked to make our party more open and inclusive.

Sadly, we have come to the only possible decision that integrity and true party loyalty demands - taking our case directly to Democratic Voters in the Primary. It is not a decision we wanted to make - but it's a choice we had to make. It is time to strengthen our party by restoring the integrity and purpose that has been tainted by the sad, recent history.

To be fair, the leadership of the Bergen County Democratic Organization deserves credit for a series of electoral successes. But that same leadership has been too self-serving, often putting an agenda of personal gain ahead of building our party. They have distorted our candidate nominating process through fraud, forgery, intimidation and cynical attempts to rig the outcomes. Frankly, Bergen County's Democratic leadership doesn't reflect the best traditions and values of our Democratic Party.

We have come to the conclusion that participating in the convention would only serve to legitimize what is, in fact, an illegitimate process.

But this is not simply our decision. Municipal Chairs, County Committee and Elected Officials throughout the 37th District have urged us not to participate in the convention. In addition, many of the groups and organizations - from organized labor to progressive groups representing environmentalists, civil rights advocates, consumers and other grass and net roots groups - that make up the heart and soul of the Democratic Party have joined our cause.

We are confident that, in a fair, open and honest convention, we would win. After all, from the special election to the recent attempt by the Chair to rig the by-laws, we have prevailed. But frankly, the Chair's undeniable record of coercion and fraud demands we take bolder action. We seek to restore the honor of our party and make this a campaign of issues and ideals.

The fight we have chosen belongs to all who believe that the value of victory does not have to come at the expense of the integrity and the proud record of Bergen County's Democratic Party.

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