Austin Bogues

@AustinBogues

DNC Chairman Tom Perez and Deputy Chairman Keith Ellison are coming to Asbury Park

They'll appear alongside State Senate Candidate Vin Gopal and Assemblymembers Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey

The upcoming fall campaign in New Jersey will get some national exposure this week.

Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez and Deputy Chairman Keith Ellison are coming to Asbury Park Friday to boost Monmouth County Democrats.

The duo will visit the Asbury Park VFW Hall, 701 Lake Ave., for a rally, voter registration drive and phone bank. The joint appearance comes as New Jersey girds for a high-profile campaign to replace Gov. Chris Christie, barred from seeking a third consecutive term due to term limits.

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"After the loss in last year's (presidential) election we want to make sure they come into every state across the nation rebuilding the party," New Jersey Democratic State Committee Executive Director Christopher James said. "We want to make sure we keep control of the Statehouse and get in control of the Governor’s Office."

Perez is the former secretary of labor in the Obama administration. Ellison, of Minnesota, is the first Muslim to serve in Congress.

The two fought a contentious battle earlier for the chairmanship, with Perez receiving backing from much of the Democratic establishment and Ellison gaining favor from grassroots party activists, and Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-Vermont.

They will appear alongside Assembly members Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey, both D-Monmouth, as well as Vin Gopal, who is running for the 11th District Senate seat against Sen. Jennifer Beck, R-Monmouth. In addition to the Asbury Park visit, Perez and Ellison will visit Newark.

Beck criticized local Democrats for involving national politicians in a local race and said Ellison had views that were anti-Israel. "I’m not surprised that Camden County (Democrats) would bring in the Washington, D.C., political machine, that’s not surprising to me."

Austin Bogues 732-643-4009;abogues@gannettnj.com For more news about New Jersey politics, visit app.com and simply search for 'politics.'

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