​Armstead Calls for Diversity in Surrogate Selection

Linden Mayor Derek Armstead said that he is calling on Governor Phil Murphy and the Union County Democratic Committee to designate a minority to be the next Surrogate, replacing the late James LaCorte, who served admirably in that role since 1999.

“Like many of my neighbors throughout New Jersey, I was truly saddened to learn about the passing of Union County Surrogate James LaCorte, who was a friend of mine for many years,” Armstead said. “While well-qualified candidates should be considered for their ability to do the best job, we must also be mindful of diversity, inclusion, and representation of people whose communities have been historically denied opportunities for advancement.”

“The promise of America is that everyone has a chance to succeed no matter where they start, but limited economic mobility and persistent inequalities call that promise into question.” The Linden Mayor went on to say that “despite more than twenty-five years of full Democratic Party control, our top Union County government officials are not representative of the diverse County in which we live.”

“Union County has the second largest proportion of African American residents and the third greatest share of Hispanic or Latino population in New Jersey; but none of our constitutional officers belong to any ethnic minority,” said Armstead.

About one-quarter of the county’s population is Black or African American, while Hispanic or Latino residents comprise almost 30 percent of the population, none of the government’s top officials have ever come from those ethnic groups.

"Although progress was made when the first female, Joanne Rajoppi, was elected to the County Clerk’s position, no other minority has secured a top position since," said Armstead. "Filling the Surrogate vacancy with a member of our minority population is a perfect opportunity to improve upon Union County’s record of diversity, inclusion and representation."

“Democrats cannot claim to be representing the people of Union County if our government does not look like the people of Union County,” said Armstead. “With full understanding of the wide-ranging benefits of diversity in positions of power and influence, I respectfully urge Governor Murphy and all our Democratic leaders to select a person of color as the next Union County Surrogate.”

“Moving the County forward requires embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion principles when there is an opportunity to broaden those who hold power,” said Armstead. “We have not always witnessed officials doing the right thing, but we want to keep hope alive and remind those responsible about their obligation to serve all the people, and to redress historic injustices with affirmative action aimed at bringing justice to life for all Americans.”

Armstead said he would be in contact with Governor Murphy’s office, reaching out to members of the Union County Democratic Committee, and networking with organizations such as the NAACP, Latinas United for Political Empowerment (LUPE) and the Latino Leadership Alliance of New Jersey to recruit a qualified minority to be the next Surrogate.