Today is election day. The importance of today for New Jersey cannot be overstated. The importance for our nation cannot be discredited. And our part in it can not be ignored.

We are not looking at a battle between Mikie Sherrill and Jack Ciattarelli. Jack Ciattarelli has demonstrated to us all that he doesn’t disagree with Trump on anything, that he has no political identity of his own. We already have a president, and he has fostered a political culture where our government would rather let the people starve than tax the rich. So what kind of battle are we looking at?

Sherrill’s campaign stands for reproductive rights. Ciattarelli’s campaign stands for banning same-sex marriage. Mikie’s campaign stands for lower health care costs, Jack’s campaign stands for “taking money from Jews.” What we are looking at is a battle between progress and persecution.

The choice to me is clear.

And know this: Whether fascism wins the election or not, we will fight it. We will push back against injustice wherever it stems from. If a Republican pushes injustice, we need to fight it. If a Democrat proposes a harmful bill, we need to fight it. If a Libertarian performs sexual violence, we need to fight it. And if anyone comes for our democracy, we need to fight it. Our fight will not stop until evil has been removed from our government on all levels. That fight may never stop, and if that’s the case then so be it. But the second we let up is the second we submit to fascism. I cannot speak for everyone, but if it came to it, I would rather die free than live giving anyone my silence.

Vote now, vote often, vote well. Our democracy depends on it.

MJ Mac (he/him)