Jersey City Teacher Running For NJ 10th District Seat

JERSEY CITY, NJ — A city educator and father of two is running to try to unseat Democratic incumbent Rep. Donald Payne Jr. and represent New Jersey's 10th Congressional District.

John Flora is a running in the Democratic primary as a "progressive alternative" to Payne, he said.

Payne Jr. is a five-term Democrat who was first elected in 2012. Three people from Newark, including Payne Jr. and his father, have represented the 10th Congressional District for 70 years.

Flora said it is time for a fresh face to represent the district. In his first campaign advertisement, Flora calls out Payne Jr. for having the worst attendance record out of New Jersey's congressional delegation. He also claims the incumbent is "unproductive" when compared to his colleagues, Flora said.

Flora's platform is focused on the Green New Deal, Medicare for all, gun reform, and universal preschool. He is a Grammy-nominated music teacher and the father of two children.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com