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Jim Johnson Hosts Final Newark Town Hall Before Primary

Ang Santos
/
WBGO

New Jersey Democrat Jim Johnson likes his chances to secure his party’s nomination for governor on June 6th.  During a town hall meeting in Newark, he delivered a message to people who doubt he can win the primary.

“I think we saw on November 8th that polls can be a little bit off.  I believe particularly because there hasn’t been a lot of polling in this state, one thing.  The polling that matters is going to be on June 6.  And on June 6 I will prevail,” Johnson said.

Johnson told the room of Newarkers that his previous experience as a federal official makes him the most qualified candidate to be the state’s next governor.  Johnson was Assistant Secretary of the Treasury and Under Secretary of the Treasury for Enforcement during the Clinton Administration.

Credit Ang Santos / WBGO
/
WBGO
Democrat for governor Jim Johnson takes questions from Newark residents during a town hall meeting.

“When I was at the treasury department, 29,000 people reported to me,” Johnson said.  “I had a budget of over 4.6 billion dollars, an operating budget, by the time we finished.  I dealt with crisis.  I dealt with balancing the budget.  I dealt with the issues and real choices about keeping people safe.”

Johnson has been critical of fellow democratic gubernatorial candidate Phil Murphy’s campaign spending.  He says New Jersey residents have taken notice.

“People have been saying to me that the money that has been spent is actually obscene.  Others have used the word disgusting when they’re talking about it.  They want to know that the elections are free, open, honest, and nobody, particularly no amount of money, has put the thumb on the scale,” Johnson said.

Johnson says he’ll spend the rest of his campaign on the ground with voters.