CONTACT: Adam Gussen
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 3, 2008
 
Teaneck— Orthodox Jewish Councilman Adam Gussen is expressing indignation today because of a threat from state Senator Loretta Weinberg directed his way regarding the upcoming Democratic County Committee races in Teaneck.
 
Gussen and a fellow Orthodox candidate for county committee in Teaneck are incensed that Weinberg is giving them 24 hours to drop out of their campaigns for county committee or or she will hold a press conference endorsing candidates running against Orthodox Councilman Elnatan Rudolph.
 
According to Mayor Elie Katz and Councilman Rudolph, when Weinberg was asked at a 1pm lunch meeting yesterday for her support of Councilman Rudolph’s re-election in the non-partisan May 13th election, Weinberg responded with an ultimatum instead: “get [former Orthodox Councilman] Yitz Stern and [current Orthodox Councilman] Adam Gussen to drop their campaigns” for the Democratic County Committee on June 3rd.
 
Weinberg demanded that if she does not get her way, she will hold a press conference tomorrow and end her neutrality in the non-partisan May 13th election by backing Councilman Rudolph’s opponents.
 
“We’re being blackballed,” charged Gussen. “Why does Loretta Weinberg see a connection between intra-Party Democratic County Committee campaigns and a non-partisan municipal election?”
 
“Is Senator Weinberg suggesting that the governmental issues are not what matters on May 13th, but rather her political strength within the Democratic Party?,” asked Gussen.
 
“Senator Weinberg can have our answer now,” said Gussen. “We will not cower to her political will, we will never back down from our desire to participate.”
 
“I think our Senator should spend more time in Trenton working to secure state aid for Teaneck schools and our municipality and less time fighting to exclude us from participating in the political process,” concluded Gussen.