TOMS RIVER, NJ – Democrat Congressman Andy Kim, a protege of former U.S. President Barack Obama was in Toms River to support his staffer, Ben Giovine, who is running for Mayor of Toms River in November. Giovine, a like-minded far-left progressive Democrat is running against Dan Rodrick, the Republican nominee for mayor in Toms River.
Democrats, in the majority in Toms River, are hoping the support of Kim and other progressives can help Giovine raise the funds needed to challenge Rodrick.
The presence of Kim at a political event by his own office staffer also raised questions among Republicans regarding the Hatch Act thin ice Giovine is skating on.
At the event, Kim endorsed Giovine’s ticket, which includes Pastor Rhetta Jackson-Fair, who has been condemned by both sides of the political aisle for her anti-homosexual rhetoric. Fair made anti-homosexual comments on social media, which have since been condemned by Giovine.
“Stop lying to them that it’s ok being gay and God made them that way,” Fair said. “Teach them how to have fun without offending God. Don’t condone what God condemns.”
Congressman Kim’s office did not respond to a request for comment regarding Fair’s anti-homosexual stance. Kim has recently announced he is running for U.S. Senate against Bob Menendez, but his support of an openly anti-LGBQTQ candidate could hurt him with progressives.
Last week, Republican operatives shared a 2014 arrest report out of Neptune documenting a driving under the influence arrest of Giovine. Giovine acknowledged the authenticity of the report, saying he made a mistake.