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August 08, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                 CONTACT: Paul Brubaker
August 8, 2012                                         201-704-7481-c

N.J. SEN. WEINBERG TELLS IT LIKE IT IS: SENATOR MENENDEZ’S OPPONENT IS
NO ADVOCATE FOR WOMEN

Weinberg applauds Menendez for always strongly advocating for women whether it is access to reproductive health care or equal pay for women

NEW BRUNSWICK – In a message she posted to BlueJersey.com, N.J. State Sen. Loretta Weinberg called out her Republican colleague, Joe Kyrillos, for actually working against women’s interests in the state legislature. 

Senator Weinberg ‘s post is as follows:

“Sen. Kyrillos is a nice gentleman, well spoken and articulate. I am certain he is also a good husband and father. But an advocate for women in our state legislature? Hardly!

It is really easy to put together a group of partisan anything - women, minorities, unions, teachers, etc. to stand up for a particular candidate. But this one stretched the bounds of reality a bit. Sen. Kyrillos’ Women’s Coalition claimed that women suffer the most in a down economy. Probably true! That’s why New Jersey’s higher than the nation’s unemployment rate adds to the plight of so many women who are also heads of households. Then let’s remember who is now leading our state while that unemployment rate has crept up.

That’s why women’s access to affordable health care is so vital. That’s why it was so unfortunate that Sen. Kyrillos voted against $7.5 million for family planning centers. Why we wish he had joined his Republican women colleagues, Senators Diane Allen and Senator Jen Beck in supporting this important budget line. That is why we wish Sen. Kyrillos had stood up to vote to override the Governor’s veto. That is why we applaud Senator Menendez for always strongly advocating for women whether it is access to reproductive health care or equal pay for women.

I hope the Kyrillos Women’s Coalition asks why their endorsed Senator has not been an outspoken advocate for the Lily Ledbetter bills. Find out why he has not urged his Republican U.S. Senate colleagues to stand up for a woman’s right to choose; or access to affordable reproductive care; or pay equity! Look at his own voting record on these issues.

Yes, this little Kyrillos endeavor does stretch reality a bit.”

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