Jane Califf

Correspondent

This November, voters in New Jersey will elect a new governor, but there is a qualified candidate whom the media has been ignoring: Seth Kaper-Dale. This lack of coverage is not because he is unqualified. It is because he is a third-party candidate running on the Green Party line.

Voters have a right to learn about everyone who is running for office, not just Republicans and Democrats. In the Aug. 10 edition of the Bloomfield Life, an article by Dante Dallavalle entitled, “Two new candidates, same wrong priorities” points out that both the major party nominees are part of an establishment that has failed the people of New Jersey; that we need a candidate who not only has a platform with positive reforms, but someone “who actually cares to implement them."

This article will provide information on such a candidate. It will explain who Kaper-Dale is, his platform and why he has decided to run for public office.

Who he is

Kaper-Dale has been co-pastor of the Reformed Church of Highland Park for 15 years with his wife Stephanie. Central to his theology is the importance of focusing on those who are last in society, in any way shape or form. As a result, his church has engaged in issues of community development and political action.

His achievements have included creating “Who is My Neighbor Inc.," which brought affordable summer camp programs for public school youth to Highland Park. He also started a free after-school program for middle schoolers, a store with fairly traded products, a partnership with Elijah’s Promise to make healthy eating accessible and affordable for all, a sports program for special needs children; a free early childhood enrichment and parenting support program, and the Highland Park Senior Social Network, an organization for adults (ages 60 and older) seeking a social network.

Kaper-Dale created RCHP-Affordable Housing Corp. in 2006, which has created housing for women aging out of foster care, homeless veterans, justice-involved youth, chronically homeless mentally ill adults, refugees and asylum-seekers. This organization owns or operates 17 buildings that house 91 tenants.

Since 2002, he has fought to keep families together who are facing the deportation of a parent. This has resulted in crafting legislation and finding sponsors to bring that legislation before the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate, as well as state resolutions of support. This work culminated in 11 months of extending sanctuary to nine fathers, with the end result being removal operations eventually backing off and extending stays of removal to these fathers.

He founded Interfaith-Refugee and Immigrant Services and Empowerment (Interfaith-RISE). Participants from approximately 30 local congregations — Muslim, Jewish, Christian and Buddhist, so far — have joined together to help welcome victims of the world’s abuses.

Kaper-Dale is also vice chair of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, which has supported efforts to end solitary confinement in state jails and prisons.

These accomplishments happened as a result of Kaper-Dale’s leadership in collaborating with many people and organizations in Highland Park.

Why he decided to run

Though a lifelong Democrat, Kaper-Dale became fed up when leaders in the Democratic Party swiftly chose former Goldman Sachs executive, Phil Murphy, as its gubernatorial nominee before voters got the chance to get to know him. He believes the decision blocked Democrats from learning about other viable candidates, and it was a major factor in his decision to run.

His platform

Highlights of his platform include plans to

increase taxes on the wealthiest families in N.J. to help provide more funds for education, infrastructure projects, mass transit and other human needs.

increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour.

sign an equal pay bill so that women in New Jersey will no longer receive 69.8 cents per dollar earned by men.

lessen the sentences for minor drug crimes.

promote educational programs addressing physical violence against women, all forms of gender-based denigration and abuse, and a woman’s right to control her own body.

implement earned paid sick leave.

put a moratorium on state gas pipeline projects which threaten our environment; instead promote clean energy.

advocate for labor-friendly policies within the renewable energy sector to ensure the creation of good union jobs with a living/family wage in the new energy economy.

Seth Kaper-Dale hopes to be included in the debates with the Republican and Democratic candidates. However, unfair rules require each candidate to raise $430,000 by Aug. 31. Since Kaper-Dale has mounted a grassroots campaign, he is not depending on wealthy donors, so he could be left out. However, you can learn more about his platform and how to participate by going to www.kaperdaleforgovernor.com or finding Seth Kaper-Dale on Facebook.

Jane Califf is a community activist and a member of the Essex County Green Party. Contact her at janecaliff@aol.com.