Hi Friend —
I just wanted to share an article published this week about my opponent's ongoing refusal to condemn the Oath Keepers, a homegrown domestic terrorism group in New Jersey with a long record of blatant discrimination, racism, and anti-Semitism, and of promoting anti-government and anti-law enforcement activity. Frank Pallotta’s senior campaign advisor is a local leader of the Oath Keepers.
Please let me know if you have any thoughts or questions, or if you need anything at all. With just days before the election, I’d be grateful for your support. Please don’t forget to vote!
Yours,
Josh
https://patch.com/new-jersey/mahwah/gottheimer-challenger-oath-keepers-are-good-people
Gottheimer Challenger: Oath Keepers are 'Good People'
The New Jersey Department of Homeland Security calls the group militia extremists. "My supporters are my supporters," said Frank Pallotta.
Frank Pallotta has made a habit of criticizing incumbent Congressman Josh Gottheimer's record in the run-up to the Nov. 3 election, but recently, Gottheimer has gone on the attack himself.
During a debate hosted by New Jersey Globe editor David Wildstein, Gottheimer challenged Pallotta to denounce the Oath Keepers, whom the Southern Poverty Law Center calls an anti-government extremist group.
In short, Pallotta didn't do that.
"My supporters are my supporters. They're not racists, they're not xenophobes, they're not homegrown terrorists. They're good people," Pallotta said.
Gottheimer pointed out that Pallotta has been photographed with Bill Hayden, a member of a New Jersey Oath Keepers group and, according to his Twitter page, the President of the Skylands Tea Party.
According to Gottheimer, Hayden serves as a campaign advisor to Pallotta.
In 2016, the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness called the group militia extremists.
New Jersey Oath Keepers President Dennis A LaGrua, at the time, responded to the distinction, stating that the group was "appalled."
"Oath Keepers is a non-partisan association of current and former serving military members, reserves, LEO's, sheriffs officers, politicians, first responders, security personal, firefighters and other citizens who have taken the oath to support and defend the constitution of the United States," LaGrua wrote, in a note published to the Oath Keepers website.
Pallotta has made a habit of challenging Gottheimer's record regarding law enforcement, which may be a factor in his refusal to denounce the Oath Keepers who, according to the SPLC, "claims tens of thousands of present and former law enforcement officials and military veterans as members."
During the debate, Pallotta did take a moment to denounce some groups, however.
"I'll tell you what I will do, I will denounce Antifa, which I know you people haven't done. I will denounce Black Lives Matter organization, which you have not done either," he said.
Pallotta said on Twitter Friday he denounces "all forms" white supremacy.
Hayden, for his part, responded to the Congressman's remarks on Twitter.
In the days after the debate, the Gottheimer campaign released an ad based around the moment, titled "Hate."
In a statement regarding the release of the ad, the campaign said the Oath Keepers have a "long record" of discrimination, racism and anti-Semitism, and have promoted anti-government and anti-law enforcement activity.
"His refusal to condemn a state-designated homegrown terrorist group is simply unconscionable," said the campaign's communications director Sam Dorn.
"We urge Frank Pallotta, in the strongest possible terms, to do the right thing and speak out against hate."
