Party politics can take a back seat to heritage and a country under attack.
Mikie Sherrill is set to have an April 27 fundraiser for her gubernatorial campaign at the Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey in Whippany.
That’s no surprise. As a congresswoman, Sherrill has twice travelled to Ukraine and met with President Zelensky. She has supported military aid to Ukraine and has stayed in close contact with the state’s Ukrainian-American community.
One of the six individuals on the invite is Roman Hirniak, who is a former Republican mayor of Randolph and a one time GOP primary candidate for Morris County commissioner, or at the time, freeholder,
Hirniak acknowledged that his involvement in the Sherrill fundraiser has prompted some comments from – using a traditional term – people “in his Rolodex.”
One of those comments came our way. Why is a man who held and sought office as a Republican backing a Democratic candidate for governor in a competitive election?
Hirniak responded thusly:
“I view my Ukrainian heritage as sacrosanct, motivated largely by my parents having fled to the U.S. during World War II and finding refuge here in the freedoms that were never afforded to them under Soviet rule. This country is the beacon of democracy and freedom in the world, a distinction that it alone holds.
We have been incredibly fortunate to have leaders in Washington like Congresswoman Sherrill, who has worked tirelessly since the beginning to ensure that the U.S. supports Ukraine in the face of Russia’s unprovoked war. Beyond her international leadership, she has been incredibly responsive to my community, always visiting whenever invited and genuinely listening to our needs. She has been an unwavering advocate for us. Her value system, her decency and her commitment to leadership by example most closely identify with what I hold as near and dear to my heart. I’m proud to support her candidacy for Governor of New Jersey.”
As an aside, in less polarizing times, this may not have been much of an issue, but today, it raises eyebrows. Just the way it is.
Click here
for the full Insider Index
The Sherrill Fundraising Controversy has been making headlines on Insider NJ, sparking debate and discussion among political pundits and the general public alike. The controversy centers around allegations that Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) engaged in unethical fundraising practices during her 2020 re-election campaign.
According to reports, Sherrill is accused of soliciting donations from individuals and organizations with business before the House Armed Services Committee, of which she is a member. Critics argue that this constitutes a conflict of interest and raises questions about the integrity of Sherrill’s fundraising efforts.
Sherrill has denied any wrongdoing, stating that she has always followed ethical guidelines and regulations when it comes to fundraising. She maintains that she has never traded political favors for donations and that all of her actions have been above board.
Despite Sherrill’s defense, the controversy has raised concerns about the influence of money in politics and the need for greater transparency and accountability in campaign fundraising. Many are calling for stricter regulations to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure that elected officials are held accountable for their actions.
The Sherrill Fundraising Controversy serves as a reminder of the importance of ethical conduct in politics and the need for elected officials to uphold the trust of their constituents. As the story continues to unfold, it will be interesting to see how Sherrill responds to the allegations and what impact it may have on her political career moving forward.
