How New Jersey leftist groups define “progressive”
The Jersey Bee asked three New Jersey organizations on the political left to explain what “progressive” means to them. Here’s what they said.
Six Democrats running for New Jersey governor in the Jun. 10 primary election. Some of the Democratic candidates have been described as “progressive” or favorable among “left-wing” voters.
In April 2025, six self-described progressive groups endorsed Ras Baraka as their candidate of choice for governor. Endorsements came from Rutgers teachers’ unions, New Jersey Working Families Party, New Jersey Citizen Action, and Make the Road Action.
“Progressive” has historical and modern definitions. But some argue the term has lost meaning because it is frequently used by politicians with broadly different visions for government.
LEARN MORE: Common political terms and what they mean in New Jersey
The Jersey Bee asked three local chapters of leftist political parties to explain what “progressive” means to them. Essex County Democratic Socialists of America, New Jersey Working Families Party, and Green Party of New Jersey responded.
Essex County Democratic Socialists of America on “progressive”
“The Democratic Socialists of America has, throughout its history, fought for working-class and disenfranchised people.
“The operative word in ‘progressive’ is progress — we view social progress as a horizon where working class people are no longer struggling to survive in a broken system. Our members, leaders, and candidates fight for policies that foreground the experiences of working people — rent control and socialized housing, suffrage and democracy, universal healthcare and education, and an end to state violence both in our own broken carceral system or abroad.
“‘Progress’ to us means creating a political system in which each human life has equal value and which thrives on solidarity and interdependence. ‘Progressive’ means progressing towards a society in which prosperity is shared, and everyday people are empowered to shape their communities and workplaces democratically.”
Evan Dekens, co-chair of Essex County DSA
New Jersey Working Families Party on “progressive”
“Progressives put the needs of working families ahead of wealthy and politically connected insiders. This means promoting policies that expand health care, educational opportunities and good-paying jobs while ensuring that the wealthy pay their fair share.”
Antoinette Miles, executive director of New Jersey Working Families Alliance
Green Party of New Jersey on “progressive”
“Progressive politics is an essential component of today’s political landscape. The Green Party of New Jersey is spearheading the modern progressive movement in our state, with a radical view of the term ‘progressive.’ While not a new position, the Green position on progressivism finds its roots in eco-socialism. Greens see the many inequalities of our society as products of the system itself. Thus, we cannot claim to be for ‘progress’ without seeking a new system altogether.
“Many of our candidates champion policies that have multiple goals: Green policies are designed to stem the bleeding for thousands of New Jerseyans who live paycheck to paycheck, struggle to find healthcare or housing, and who are subject to racist police violence and incarceration. Importantly, however, Green policies are also designed to weaken the systems of power that prop up our vastly unequal society. Unlike the two major parties, the Green Party’s approach is not simply a band-aid solution to help people temporarily. Rather, real progress seeks to prevent these issues from coming back again. This is why Greens also seek to stop the forever-wars waged by the US throughout the world, and why we seek environmental justice and an elimination of fossil fuels.
“The Four Pillars of the Green Party guide our positions: these are Democracy, Social Justice, Environmental Wisdom, and Non-Violence. While many Green candidates may adopt different policies to focus on in their districts, these core values inform all of our political decisions. Many candidates who call themselves ‘progressive’ take millions of dollars from the same corporate donors and lobbyists who want more money to go to the top 1%. But our Green candidates will never take corporate money, subsisting off of small donations from people who want real change. This is what makes Green progressivism different, and it’s why thousands of New Jerseyans from across the state believe in our message. A better world is possible.”
Ben Taylor, co-chair of Green Party of New Jersey
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