By Joshua Sotomayor Einstein

Letter from a Republican to my New Jersey progressive grassroots friends:

I know you are aware there is a Senatorial election coming up on Nov. 6 and I'm not going to pretend we have anything near the same world view, analysis of the challenges that exist, nor similar solutions. But in the short to medium term, and as it relates to the systemically corrupt politics and top 1 percent that rules over New Jersey, I believe we have the same interests. Those interests are in the destruction of the machine politics which stifles debate, protects incumbents from almost any consequences, and treats questions as the ultimate crime. Let me be clear, though I would love it if you would consider doing so, I'm not asking you to vote for Bob Hugin; I am asking that you not vote for Menendez.

Menendez is an old school, unreformed, machine-style political boss. He is the ultimate fief holder of Hudson County, the senior of NJ's high-profile politicos, and the epitomizing symbol of the institutionally unethical behavior that our state is unfortunately known for. The Department of Justice under President Obama brought charges of corruption, bribery, and fraud against Menendez. Even the Senate Ethics Committee, an institution built to tolerate a wide spectrum of unacceptable behavior from the many morally challenged senators, found Menendez to be an embarrassment, so much so that they had to publicly admonish him. Menendez has a long record of putting everything on hold so he can help his big money donors, including the one now in jail for defrauding Medicare of $90 million. Just as important is that he is one of the definitive political bosses in New Jersey, his command stops battles between subordinates in the state party and launches crusades against those who challenge him and his allies.

Despite feigning interest in progressive policy, "leaders" such as Menendez, Gov. Murphy, and state Sen./Union City Mayor Stack inflate their own egos while producing nothing except for a growing pool of political serfs. In order to keep their jobs, these political dependents attempt to curry favor by squashing any and all opposition.

Hugin's senatorial victory in November will destroy this structure and embolden those progressives challenging the system by taking out the political boss of the best run, most locked up, and organized machine in our state. When Menendez falls, at least a dozen divergent factions with their own mini-machines will go to war. That chaos presents our political camps an opportunity to grow ranks unmolested, spread the message, and to win elected offices without fear of politically motivated reprisal from a no longer massive and monolithic political machine. Moreover, when Menendez falls Gov. Murphy is exposed for being the paper tiger (as well as a limousine liberal) you know he is. Senate President Sweeney, no friend of Murphy, will take the opportunity to take shots at his bitter rival. Their infighting will present progressive forces within (and outside) the state Democratic Party an opportunity to simultaneously take over many party institutions. In the maelstrom, bosses like Stack will be busy fighting each other in ever shifting alliances.

Despite the fact that Hugin is centrist, pro-choice, pro-LGBT, and anti-corruption, you as a progressive may not be able to pull his lever because he, like me, is a Republican. Make no mistake, because my side of the aisle will keep control of the U.S. Senate no matter what happens here, the New Jersey Senate race is about what happens in New Jersey. My progressive grassroots friends, consider the opportunity a Menendez defeat presents you. Has allying with the institutionally corrupt machine Democrats ever really helped your agenda? Have attempts to play within the rules of the ethically challenged run system empowered voices like Jim Johnson and Lisa McCormick, or has it marginalized them? Isn't it time you help take down that system so that new voices, especially your own, can be heard?

Joshua Sotomayor Einstein is secretary of the Hoboken Municipal Republican Committee and NJ GOP State Committeeman from Hudson County