Cultivating Justice in the Garden State
My Life in the Colorful World of New Jersey Politics
Raymond Lesniak (Author), Bill Clinton (Foreword by)
9781978824973
Hardback, published 22 April 2022
210 pages, 5 b&w, 5 color images
23.5 x 15.6 x 2.3 cm, 0.454 kg
"[Lesniak] offers fascinating insights into the backroom machinations of Democratic municipal and county committees in the local fiefdoms that make up New Jersey's very localized politics . . . . All told, it's a good thing Lesniak wrote this book. Too often, the labors of local Polonian politicians don't get documented or, if they do, get recorded in just a fact-based way. Lesniak tells his story as he sees it, and getting that down on paper—especially from a university press—is important. . . . There's a lot of political contributions made by Polonians—in New Jersey and probably other states—in risk of historical amnesia. Kudos to Lesniak for recording his."— Polish American Studies
"I know of no other Democratic New Jersey state legislator who had a greater impact on salient statewide issues beyond his legislative district than Ray Lesniak. And these were issues that will affect basic values and the quality of life in the Garden State for decades to come....I have in the past taught New Jersey politics and government university courses, and this book would well qualify for the mandatory course reading list."
— Insider NJ
"This is the must-read masterpiece of a man who has overcome personal and political challenges to become a national progressive force on the cutting-edge issues of our time. As a senator, a model of compassion, and a fighter without peer, Raymond Lesniak provides riveting lessons to us all on how to conquer the longest odds to change the world. It is an essential guide for everyone in every state who cares about social justice."
— Steven Goldstein, Founder of Garden State Equality
"Raymond Lesniak's heart and passion for animals and all those without a voice leap off the pages. Aesop said that no act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. I wonder what he would say about Senator Lesniak's legacy of kindness which truly is stretching around the world? Be inspired by these words and by this warrior for the voiceless. I have been."
— Ashley Prout McAvey, Founder, Vermont For Wildlife
Born into a working-class Polish immigrant family in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Raymond Lesniak went on to become a major force in the tough and bruising world of state politics. In this remarkable memoir, he reflects upon his life and career fighting for social justice in the Garden State.
He recounts the many causes he championed in his forty years as a state legislator, from the landmark Environmental Cleanup Responsibility Act to bills concerning animal protections, marriage equality, women's reproductive rights, and the abolition of the death penalty. He also delves into his experiences on the national stage as a key advisor for Bill Clinton and Al Gore's presidential campaigns. With refreshing candor, Lesniak describes both his greatest achievements and his moments of failure, including his unsuccessful 2017 gubernatorial run.
Cultivating Justice in the Garden State is both a gripping American success story and a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the inner workings of our political system. It offers an insider's perspective on the past fifty years of New Jersey politics, while presenting a compelling message about what leaders and citizens can do to improve the state's future.
Foreword by Bill Clinton
Prologue
Chapter 1: My Home Town
Chapter 2: Ma Green's Boy
Chapter 3: Settling Scores
Chapter 4: Elections Matter
Chapter 5: Working Together
Chapter 6: The Natural: The Saga of Jim McGreevey
Chapter 7: Christie, Golan and the Kushner Connection
Chapter 8: Fighting Injustices
Chapter 9: The Fight for LGBTQ Rights
Chapter 10: On the Banks of the Old Raritan: My Love Affair with Rutgers University
Chapter 11: Sports Betting: A Good Bet
Chapter 12: A Wakeup Call and a Near Loss
Chapter 13: Animal Welfare
Chapter 14: Tax Incentives
Chapter 15: Gubernatorial Campaign: Not the Last Hurrah
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
Index
