A prominent LGBTQ activist is reportedly among those being considered for U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez’s (R-J.D.) Senate seat when he retires next month.
Newsweek magazine reported Tuesday that Garden State Equality Executive Director Christian Fuscarino is one of the people New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy could appoint to Menendez’s seat.
A federal jury found Menendez guilty of corruption charges on July 16. The New Jersey Democrat announced Tuesday that he would resign from the U.S. Senate on Aug. 20.
Newsweek described Fuscarino, who has been executive director of Garden State Equality since 2016, as “an ardent supporter of Murphy,” who could become the nation’s first openly gay senator, and noted that Murphy “has shown a penchant for making historic appointments, lending weight to Fuscarino’s candidacy.”
Fuscarino said in a statement to the Washington Blade on Thursday that he was “surprised” to learn he was being selected to fill Menendez’s seat.
“I understand how important it would be to become the first openly gay male senator in the United States, and I am honored even to have been proposed,” Fuscarino said.
“I owe it all to the queer and transgender movement. I began community organizing when I was just 14 under the mentorship of GLSEN founder and current Lambda Legal leader Kevin Jennings,” he added. “For the last 20 years, it’s the stories shared in gay bars, HIV/AIDS advocates, and Pride organizers that have energized communities and inspired them to fight for equality. Thanks to this movement and those who have sacrificed so much, a queer man may one day be able to run for the United States Senate.”
Newsweek reported that among the people Murphy is considering to replace Menendez are New Jersey Assemblyman Andy Kim, state Senator Vin Gopal, Attorney General Matt Platkin, former state senators Loretta Weinberg and Janine LaRue and New Jersey Cannabis Control Commission chair Diana Hoenow.
Murphy’s appointee will serve the remainder of Menendez’s term, which ends in January.
Fuscarino said Tuesday that Menendez “made the right decision to resign.”
The statement said Republicans had nominated Curtis Bashaw, who is gay, to challenge Menendez for his seat. Kim won the Democratic primary in that race last month.
“The Republican Party has nominated a candidate who pledges allegiance to the vulgarity that was the hallmark of former President Trump,” Fuscarino said Tuesday. “Make no mistake, the Republican nominee will be the first openly gay male senator in U.S. history, but he will also embody a false sense of diversity.”
“I have no doubt that Gov. Phil Murphy will appoint a new senator who has the values of uniting all communities and a strong track record of promoting true diversity, equity and inclusion for all people,” he added.
“I accept this appointment, but this is just that – an appointment, not a campaign or an election,” Fuscarino told the Blade.
“As I wrote in a statement earlier this week, I have full confidence that Governor Phil Murphy will select the most qualified person for this interim position,” he said. “This decision is entirely up to the Governor, and there are many factors to consider.”
The Blade has contacted Murphy’s office for comment.
