REPLACING:

Donald Payne (D) [i]

WORK HISTORY:

U.S. House of Representatives (Member, NJ-10); Newark Public Schools (HR Regional Business Partner, Systems Analyst, Clerk); Secaucus Board of Education (HR Manager); Willingboro Public Schools (Director of Human Resources); Believe in Newark Foundation Inc. (Board Trustee); Montclair Board of Education (Director of Personnel); Newark G.A.L.S. Inc. (Vice President); LRM Consultant Services (Consultant); City of Newark (Council Member – Central Ward) [ii]

EDUCATION:

BA, Bloomfield College; MA, Seton Hall University; EdD, Kean University [iii]

CAMPAIGNED ON:

Investing in Families; Safeguarding Our Communities; Preserving Our Environment; Creating Jobs & Supporting Small Business; Protecting Reproductive Rights; Strengthening Infrastructure & Transportation; Serving Our Veterans & Seniors; Advancing Social Justice; Providing Equitable Access to High Quality Healthcare; Promoting Educational Opportunity [iv]

ON THE ISSUES

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS:

As a pro-choice candidate, McIver called for Congress to pass a national right to abortion, advocating for “a clear, comprehensive law protecting reproductive rights for everyone in the United States, regardless of what state they live in.”[v]Her campaign was endorsed by Planned Parenthood Action Fund; she said of the endorsement, “I vow to stand with Planned Parenthood in this fight for equality and won’t let up until every woman in this country has the guaranteed right to make decisions about her own body.” [vi]

IMMIGRATION & BORDER SECURITY:

To bring about comprehensive immigration reform, McIver has advocated for a “pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, protect[ing] immigrant families, and uphold[ing] due process and human rights.” [vii]

ECONOMY & JOBS:

A proponent of guaranteed paid family and medical leave, McIver also supports creating access to safe affordable housing. She seeks to protect tenant rights, as well as combat food insecurity; to do so, she has said that the U.S. must “back policies that address food insecurity, increase access to nutritious food options, and strengthen nutrition assistance programs to ensure that families have the resources they need to thrive.” [viii] She has also pledged to help small businesses by “increasing access to capital,” “reducing regulatory burdens,” and through investments into workforce training. [ix]

TAXES:

In a 2024 op-ed regarding affordable housing, McIver said that when housing developers seek tax abatements, she will “mobilize resident groups like tenant and block associations and nonprofits in the area to request community benefits as part of the tax incentive.” She contended that local residents “can and should be involved” in tax incentive deals. [x]

CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY:

On criminal justice reform, McIver has advocated for addressing mass incarceration, creating alternatives to imprisonment, investments into rehabilitation programs, and prioritizing “restorative justice.” She is in favor of community policing and holding law enforcement accountable. [xi]

CLIMATE CHANGE, ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT:

McIver has said she believes that environmental justice needs to be addressed by instituting polices that “address environmental racism, promote clean air and water, invest in renewable energy, and ensure that frontline communities in our district have a seat at the table in the decision-making process.” She has called for investments in “building resilient communities that are prepared for the impacts of climate change and environmental hazards.” [xii]

FOREIGN POLICY:

On the one-year anniversary of the October 7 attacks in Israel, McIver called for “reuniting families, ending the violence against innocent people & creating sustainable peace in the region rooted in freedom.” [xiii] In a 2024 candidate questionnaire, McIver responded that she would vote in favor of aid to both Israel and Ukraine. [xiv]

HEALTHCARE & SOCIAL SAFETY NET:

McIver supports universal healthcare and putting greater investment into “healthcare infrastructure in underserved areas,” including by “increasing the availability of culturally competent care and actively combating discrimination within healthcare institutions.” She has also said she supports ensuring that seniors and veterans have “access to high-quality affordable healthcare services, including preventative care, mental health support and long-term care to address their specific needs and preserve their quality of life.” [xv] [xvi]

DEMOCRACY:

According to her campaign website, McIver supports protecting voting rights.” [xvii]

SOCIAL ISSUES:

During the campaign, McIver said she was in favor of protecting LGBTQ+ rights. [xviii] Her campaign was endorsed by the Newark LGBTQ Commission, which said she had “a strong track record of advocating for LGBTQ rights and has shown a deep commitment to ensuring that everyone is treated with dignity and respect.” [xix]