Another race that will be closely watched this year is the rematch in the fourth legislative district between Democratic Assemblywoman Gabriela Mosquera challenged by former Gloucester councilwoman Shelley Lovett. Last year, Mosquera easily won the race but Lovett challenged the election results, claiming that Mosquera did not satisfy a one-year in-district residency requirement.
It’s been a tumultuous year for Mosquera in her quest to validate her election win. In February, the state Supreme Court deleted Mosquera’s 19,000 votes after the fourth district Democrat was found to be 45 days shy of the residency requirement. A decade-old federal court injunction had kept the state from enforcing the residency rule, but the court decided the injunction violates the New Jersey Constitution and should apply to Mosquera.
The U.S. District Court of New Jersey, however, rejected the state Supreme Court application of the residency rule in a year when state Senate and Assembly district boundaries were being redrawn.
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Recalling last year’s race, Mosquera says the federal injunction against the residency requirement was very clear and that residency was therefore not an issue. “It was something that was part of a federal court order, the state followed those rules for ten years, and no one questioned it, not even the state courts. So, because the rules were in place, I felt very comfortable running in that race, and obviously the voters felt comfortable voting for me and giving me their vote of confidence.”
Mosquera was sworn into office in March, and is running in a special election this fall to determine whether she the fill the seat for the balance of the two-year term.
She says she is better prepared this time around because the people in her district have had time to get to know her and what she stands for. “I stand for protecting the middle class, protecting the seniors, providing education opportunities for students in South Jersey, and also, making sure we strengthen the economy here in South Jersey, and as well as creating jobs.”
Statistically, approximately 30 percent of Hispanics in New Jersey do not have health insurance. According to Mosquera, the Affordable Health Care Act, also known as “Obamacare,” will allow more people to become eligible.
“We have 1.3 million, just in general, ‘New Jerseyans’ who don’t have health care, and we have to do something about that,” she said. “That is basically our mothers and brothers and sisters who need the help, and I am very fortunate to be living in a country where we can provide the basic needs, and health care is actually one of them.”
Health care reform isn’t the only position she stands in agreement with Obama. She touts the president’s executive order which temporarily prevents certain undocumented immigrants from being deported.
“It’s a great thing that he’s doing for the dreamers, giving those individuals that have been here since they were young, through no fault of their own. They do deserve an opportunity to be educated.”
As an immigrant herself, immigration reform is a personal issue for Mosquera.
“I came to this country when I was 3 years old. I was very fortunate to become a U.S .citizen at the age of 18, and because of it, I’m able to achieve my American dream,” she said.
“I grew up in an immigrant community up in North Jersey so I witnessed firsthand the voicelessness and the advocacy that was needed, so I dedicated my life to helping anyone who needs help and service.”