"How can democracy function if 84% [NJ] believe elected officials are corrupt?"

6 days ago

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Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) testified against a bill weakening New Jersey’s Office of the State Comptroller, an anti-corruption agency.
The bill would transfer oversight to the State Commission of Investigation, which lacks authority and is politically influenced.
Kim faced hostility during the hearing, waiting over five hours to speak and receiving only three minutes to testify.
He criticized the bill as undermining trust in politics and enabling corruption in Trenton.
Kim has a history of challenging New Jersey’s political machine, including defeating Tammy Murphy and reforming ballot placement rules.
He emphasized that fighting corruption must be consistent, not opportunistic, to restore public trust.
A 2023 survey showed 84% of New Jersey voters believe state politicians are corrupt.
Kim sees corruption in policies benefiting the wealthy, like Medicaid cuts and tariff suspensions under Trump.
He supports bipartisan anti-corruption efforts, such as banning congressional stock trading.
Kim voted for the GENIUS Act on stablecoins but expressed concerns about crypto-related corruption.
He previously worked in counterterrorism and criticized unlawful strikes as a form of corruption.
Kim campaigned for reform-minded candidates like James Solomon, who won the Jersey City mayoral race.

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