State Sen. Teresa Ruiz, standing in for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill (who was unable to leave Washington) at the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce event Thursday in Edison, told the group of business owners and leaders that her party understands and is behind the community.
And she did it in such a passionate way that many couldn’t help but wonder whether she one day will be a candidate for a higher office.
Ruiz, addressing a group of hundreds at Feria de Negocios, the state’s largest Latino business expo, said she came to the event to deliver an important message.
“We hear you,” she said. “We are present on your behalf. We have a Latino caucus that is powerful, that is present, that represents so many of you, and that — when discussions and decisions and policies being framed or made at the state house — you can feel warranted, that your expectations, your visions, your requests, that our level of advocacy will create that kind of connection between state and all of your main street businesses.”
Ruiz stressed the obvious needs and wants of the community: Good schools, safe neighborhoods, affordable housing and a better quality of life.
As Senate Majority Leader, Ruiz (D-Newark) is the highest-ranking Latina legislator in state history. She said she wanted the audience to know that she supports Sherrill, who aims to become just the second female governor in state history.
“I’m aligned with Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill because I know that she is poised in those fundamental, critical issues of improving the quality of life for New Jerseyans — that she’s going to understand and not hear but listen, because those are two entirely different things,” she said.
Ruiz warned that the same is not true for many on the other side.
“When you have your hand shaken by other people today or in the future, and smiles are beautiful and you hear platform agendas, remember that there are parties that have already demonstrated that they want to destroy the fabric of America, that there are parties that have definitions of humanity that don’t include any single one of us here in this room, that there is a party in Washington that sent out messaging to all school districts to be sure that if we did not know that English should be the only language spoken in a country that was built on the backs of so many people that speak differently and love differently, but love this country and call it home,” she said.
Be discerning, Ruiz said.
“You will be presented with plans — plans that I can guarantee you, do not include you or your child,” she said. “Don’t get eaten by that consumption. Make sure that you align yourself with a group, a person and entities that understand the fundamental core of what it is to live, grow up and grow old in the state of New Jersey.
“That’s why I wanted to come here, to be sure that I echo that message, and to let you know that as majority leader and the highest-ranking Latina ever in the history of New Jersey to hold that position, that I carry all of you on my shoulders as best as we can.”
Ruiz said the audience needed to do its part — and to stand as one instead of as a splintered group.
“It is a fundamental national court problem that humanity is being stripped at every given moment if you don’t fit in one title, in one silo or in one box,” she said. “And so, we have to be more united in that force when education is on the table, and they’re cutting money that we know that that impacts our children the most, because that’s the only place where we can kind of equalize opportunity.
“That when we talk about affordability in New Jersey, we want someone who understands that affordability fundamentally means getting at the core of every single issue, whether you’re a renter or a first-time home buyer, not with platitudes and not with tax write offs for a certain 1% of this country that we can never get to.
“That when we talk about minimum wage now in the state of New Jersey, think about those who supported those issues, and then think about those who have been against it.
“So, don’t believe the hype. We are with you. We are a part of you, but we need you as well. Let’s show the entire country how New Jersey operates.”
