The Hill:
My name is Michael Starr Hopkins, and I am exploring a bid to become the next U.S. senator from New Jersey. I am the grandson of a public school teacher and a White House butler who served eight administrations from President Kennedy to President Clinton. I am the son of a single mother who put herself through law school while raising me and has worked in Democratic politics for decades. I am the man I am today because of the strong black women who raised me.
Like my family, I have spent my career working to improve the lives of others, from my time as a public defender to my work on the Obama and Clinton campaigns. Now, I’m taking the first steps towards challenging Bob Menendez because I believe New Jersey deserves a fresh start, the chance to vote for someone who hasn’t been tainted by the culture of corruption in Trenton and Washington, someone who doesn’t owe any favors to the political establishment or powerful interests.
U.S. senators are supposed to serve the people, not themselves. Yet Menendez was indicted for repeatedly using his position to benefit a wealthy donor in exchange for gifts, private flights, luxury vacations, and huge contributions. If what Menendez did doesn’t disqualify you from serving in the Senate, then what does?
The senator may have narrowly evaded prison with a mistrial, but voters aren’t going to forget what he’s done. Menendez has the lowest approval rating in the entire U.S. Senate, at 32 percent. The jury couldn’t make up its mind, but the people of New Jersey clearly have. Democrats don’t have a single vote to lose in the Senate, and we can’t afford to put this seat at risk by running a candidate who has clearly lost the people’s trust.
Michael Starr Hopkins is an attorney and former member of the presidential campaigns of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. He regularly appears on Fox News and CNN to talk about national politics. You can follow him on Twitter @TheOnlyHonest.
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