GOP's Jen Zinone 'At Peace' In NJ-10 As Election Day Approaches

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — There’s one thing that Jennifer Zinone didn’t expect to feel as she headed into the home stretch of the 2020 election: peace. But that’s the current vibe for Zinone, who is running for Congress in New Jersey’s 10th District as a Republican.

“I expected it to be this mad dash at the end of a race, but it seems more like wrapping up the final details,” Zinone told Patch on Thursday.

“Reaching out to people one last time, trying to ensure they’ve voted, seems to be what all candidates are focusing on right now,” Zinone said. “I don’t imagine I’m any different.”

Zinone is running as the Republican nominee against incumbent Rep. Donald Payne Jr., who won the Democratic Party nomination in the primary election, John Mirrione of the Libertarian Party and independent candidates Akil Khalfani and Khaliah Fitchette.

New Jersey's 10th Congressional District covers portions of Essex, Hudson and Union counties, including the following municipalities: Bloomfield, East Orange, Glen Ridge, Irvington, Maplewood, Montclair, Newark, Orange, South Orange, West Orange, Bayonne, Jersey City, Hillside, Linden, Rahway, Roselle, Roselle Park and Union Township.

Zinone offered a campaign update, noting that she’s “optimistic about the outcome” as Election Day approaches. She wrote:

“I feel good about what we’ve accomplished and the amazing group of people who coalesced around me… all volunteers, I need to add. Most of whom I didn’t know beforehand. The grassroots movement that formed across New Jersey to support candidates such as myself has been an amazing thing to be a part of. I hope it continues to grow and that the NJ GOP learns from it.

“I am optimistic about the outcome. We’ve had a tremendous campaign that has energized republicans in the district. The era of an active republican party in our area has begun, no matter the results this year. I’ve proven that, and I feel really good about it. You can never win if you don’t try. Moving forward, in CD10 and throughout my counties, there will be true republican challengers down the line. It is no longer a Democratic safe zone.

“When I win next week, the hard work really begins. We’ve had an absent Representative for decades here. That will no longer be the case. I am a hands on, community oriented leader and plan on surrounding myself with a team from all areas of our community. I will insist on being assigned to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions and the Education & Labor Committee, as our failing schools and healthcare are my main concerns in our district.

“If there is a different outcome next week, I will reevaluate the work I’ve done and see where I can be of the best use in my district until 2022. I’ve learned a lot the past year and have no doubt it will only serve me better moving forward.

“Before the pandemic, education, health costs and jobs were the main issues people talked to me about. The fact that many states across our nation were bringing manufacturing jobs back, but New Jersey wasn’t, seemed to be a sore point. People felt like our state wasn’t bouncing back like other states, as far as job creation and the economy. Then a grenade was dropped into the election across the nation. The problems people were facing before the pandemic either took a back seat to it or blew up.

“It was the virus that garnered the most air in every conversation. I was contacted by local business owners asking for help navigating it. I had parents reach out with concerns over schools. I worked with local food banks throughout the pandemic, providing food to the elderly. These people felt completely forgotten and scared. And the idea that the Supreme Court may overturn the Affordable Care Act in the middle of a pandemic terrified people. People are frightened enough, they do not need the fearmongering that’s been happening. But it also shows us that the stalemate in Washington MUST come to an end, no matter who wins. It’s time our leaders actually start working for the people they’re supposed to represent, not for their parties. It is outrageous that we do not have a healthcare plan ready to replace Obamacare if it’s struck down. Both sides should be ashamed of themselves.”

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Sign up for Patch email newsletters