Campaign Canvass Day with the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, AFL-CIO, in East Orange

Rain could not stop the work of democracy on Friday evening as the our campaign hosted a canvass launch in East Orange alongside members of the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, AFL-CIO, bringing together union members, community leaders, and candidates committed to engaging voters across Essex County.

Despite the rainy weather, volunteers hit the pavement in East Orange’s First and Second Wards, knocking on doors, meeting residents, and sharing the campaign’s vision for Essex County. I was joined by my at-large running mates, Christine McGrath, Wayne Richardson, and Abdur Yasin, as the team continued its grassroots outreach ahead of Election Day on November 3.

The canvass represented more than a campaign event. It was a demonstration of the power of partnership, solidarity, and people from diverse backgrounds coming together around a shared commitment to public service and stronger communities.

I am deeply grateful to the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council for their endorsement, their partnership, and for showing up on a Friday evening to knock on doors with us, even in the rain. Our brothers and sisters in labor understand the value of showing up, standing together, and fighting for working families. There is something beautiful about bringing people together across backgrounds and experiences to work toward a common purpose. Our diversity is our strength, and our collective efforts remind us that meaningful change begins when we invest in one another.

The event also received the support of East Orange Mayor Ted Green, Essex County Sheriff Amir Jones, and Essex County Democratic Committee Chairman LeRoy Jones, whose presence underscored the importance of community engagement and collective participation in the democratic process.

As the Democratic nominee for Essex County Commissioner in District 3, I value the importance of listening to residents, understanding the challenges facing working families, and ensuring that communities across East Orange, Orange, South Orange, and Newark’s West Ward have a voice in county government. Door-to-door canvassing is an essential part of that commitment. Every conversation offers an opportunity to hear directly from residents about their priorities, concerns, and hopes for the future of their neighborhoods.

Our campaign’s partnership with organized labor reflects a shared interest in supporting working families, expanding economic opportunity, and ensuring that workers have a meaningful voice in the decisions that affect their lives.

With Election Day approaching, Muhammad I am encouraging residents to make their voices heard by participating in the electoral process, whether through early in-person voting, voting by mail, or casting their ballots on Election Day.

As the campaign continues its outreach throughout District 3, I remain focused on building relationships, earning residents’ trust, and bringing people together around a common vision for Essex County.