Benjamin Taylor
Benjamin Taylor (Green Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent New Jersey's 9th Congressional District. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Taylor completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Benjamin Taylor was born in Ridgewood, New Jersey. Taylor's professional experience includes working in agriculture. He earned a bachelor's degree from Rutgers University in 2021. Taylor has been affiliated with the Green Party of New Jersey.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: New Jersey's 9th Congressional District election, 2024
New Jersey's 9th Congressional District election, 2024 (June 4 Democratic primary)
New Jersey's 9th Congressional District election, 2024 (June 4 Republican primary)
General election
General election for U.S. House New Jersey District 9
Nellie Pou defeated Billy Prempeh, Benjamin Taylor, and Bruno Pereira in the general election for U.S. House New Jersey District 9 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Nellie Pou (D) | 50.8 | 130,514 |
![]() | Billy Prempeh (R) ![]() | 45.9 | 117,939 | |
![]() | Benjamin Taylor (G) ![]() | 2.0 | 5,027 | |
Bruno Pereira (L) ![]() | 1.4 | 3,533 |
Total votes: 257,013 | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Bill Pascrell (D)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 9
Incumbent Bill Pascrell defeated Mohamed Khairullah in the Democratic primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 9 on June 4, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Bill Pascrell | 76.1 | 26,514 |
![]() | Mohamed Khairullah ![]() | 23.9 | 8,328 |
Total votes: 34,842 | ||||
![]() | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- William Henry (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 9
Billy Prempeh defeated Hector Castillo in the Republican primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 9 on June 4, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Billy Prempeh ![]() | 72.6 | 11,504 |
![]() | Hector Castillo | 27.4 | 4,352 |
Total votes: 15,856 | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Vincent Micco (R)
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Taylor in this election.
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Benjamin Taylor completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Taylor's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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|- I will stand with Palestine against the Israeli genocide. Israel is a settler-colonial apartheid state, and right now in New Jersey, I am the only anti-genocide candidate running in CD-9. I want voters to know that there is a voice against genocide on the ballot. The crime of genocide must be prevented and punished, as per the Genocide Convention, and all member parties (including the United States) are required by international law to fulfill this mandate. I promise to do everything within my power to block all weapons to Israel and punish the international criminals who perpetrate, aid, and abet genocide.
- Economic justice for the many means universal single-payer healthcare, free education at all levels, free housing for all, and increasing the federal minimum wage. I want voters to know that these forgotten promises are still alive in the New Jersey Green Party. These services must be ratified as human rights, and I intend to push for military spending to be redirected toward these social programs. For-profit education, housing, and healthcare are entirely unacceptable in 2024. I will develop a cohesive strategy to begin implementing these changes on day one. In my district, the people of New Jersey are being robbed of their futures by corporate greed, and I will never accept that.
- The looming climate catastrophe must be addressed in a way that is in line with the scientific consensus, historical reality, and current material conditions. We are already well past the deadline to slow down the fossil fuel industry. Instead of addressing reality, our representatives are "greenwashing" their actions, following in the footsteps of BP's propaganda campaign. Plastic straw and grocery bag bans reinforce one of the biggest lies of our time: the myth of individual responsibility. Too many people, especially young people, have fallen prey to anxiety and doubt regarding their personal impacts on climate change. Instead of shaming consumers, I promise to fight climate change by fighting oil producers.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Campaign website
Taylor’s campaign website stated the following:
“ |
Ben Taylor supports and endorses the positions outlined by the Green Party, which are always in support of working people, LGBTQ+ communities, global solidarity movements, and our natural environment. Read more about Ben’s positions and policies below! Healthcare Education When in Congress, I will design comprehensive legislation to cancel all existing student debt. I will also fund free public education at all levels, preventing our future students from suffering under for-profit schools. Women’s Rights Additionally, due to the systemic nature of the capitalist, imperialist patriarchy, women are under immense societal pressures. This extends to women in positions of power and authority, as these positions exist to serve and perpetuate the patriarchy. Thus, we must fight to tear up the patriarchy from its roots. In Congress, introducing legislation that codifies Roe v. Wade will be my top priority. I will continue to push for federal legislation that protects abortion as a basic human right until it passes. I will also enact legislation that mandates paid maternity leave for all mothers. Indigenous Liberation In Congress, I will introduce legislation that allows the return of land to indigenous peoples. I will also provide funding for the many sustainable indigenous land-use projects across New Jersey and the country. Military Additionally, it is necessary to reduce the military’s influence on global affairs. The idea of the United States as the “world police” is based entirely in white supremacy and chauvinism. Dangerous and violent rhetoric regarding military “domination” upholds the language of the patriarchy. And military activities that support “America’s interests” serve only the interests of multinational corporations as they seek to expand markets and maximize profits, leaving behind both foreign and domestic instability. Regular people should not be forced to fund these extremist military policies with their tax dollars. Instead, I will redirect military spending toward social programs like universal healthcare, education, housing, and clean energy transitional programs. The lessons shared by both historic and contemporary anti-war movements teach us that this is just the first step toward peace. I will introduce policies in Congress that would close down overseas military bases, reduce the military budget by at least 50%, and promote wellness and community resources for Americans returning home. Climate Crisis In 2004, oil industry giant BP began its “carbon footprint” propaganda campaign. The goal was simple: alter public perception of climate change, transforming it into a consumption issue as opposed to a production issue. BP figured it could absolve itself from the consequences of the climate crisis by shaming those who consume their product. This was a massive win for fossil fuels, as it allowed oil companies to continue business as usual. But for the people of New Jersey, the United States, and the world, the horrific effects of this campaign could not understated. Climate anxiety now plagues young people, spurring self-doubt in the minds of an entire generation. And that very same generation must also grapple with the long-term effects of our government’s inaction. It is my understanding that we cannot have a proper, scientific conversation about the climate crisis without first recognizing the psychological warfare waged by the fossil fuel industry. That’s why I vow to hold these companies accountable for their actions. The myth of individual responsibility must be challenged at every opportunity. Time is running out. We need to start having serious conversations about how our economic system is unsustainable and contradictory. We cannot allow corporations to continue seeking infinite growth in a finite world. Vulnerable communities around the world are already suffering the consequences of unopposed greed. In Congress, I will help to design a comprehensive Green New Deal that invites public ownership of renewable energy sources, bans unsustainable farming practices, and reshapes our infrastructure to align with scientific consensus. This will also include jobs in the public sector. Additionally, I will introduce legislation that forces fossil fuel companies, rather than consumers, to pay the costs associated with these transitions. Occupied Palestine In Congress, I promise to stand up against the zionist project, demanding an immediate ceasefire, independent investigations into Israel’s crimes, and the immediate end of all weapons sales to Israel. Drug Decriminalization When elected to Congress, I will design policy that restricts the DEA, eventually phasing it out completely. Additionally, I will fund addiction treatment to be accessible for all, and harm reduction resources to be abundantly available. Mental Health Crisis Widespread alienation is becoming a terrifying trend for young people as their futures remain in jeopardy. Feelings of personal fulfillment and confidence are rapidly declining. Employers continually increase their requirements, making the job market nearly impossible to navigate. All of these struggles put tremendous amounts of pressure on the people of New Jersey, who often live paycheck to paycheck. This is why we need to fight for novel mental health solutions that show great promise. This is why, in Congress, I will fully support Psychedelic Assisted Therapy and advocate for its full legalization in conjunction with full accessibility. However, we cannot end the mental health crisis without also tackling systemic contradictions sewn into the fabric of our society. Economic justice for the many is the only way forward, and my policies centered around restricting advertising, lowering work hours, and increasing wages are necessary for long-term healing. By coming together and rallying for an equitable economic system, and by talking about our personal struggles in support groups and social circles, we can begin to combat the divisive alienation that isolates our common goals. LGBTQ+ Issues In Congress, I will help design federal protections for transgender identities and push back against the cruel, transphobic legislation that invites bigotry to our communities. I will also introduce legislation that provides critical resources to families and victims of hate crimes. Prison and Police Furthermore, the racist prison institution is enmeshed within the profit-driven capitalist system. Private prisons make enormous amounts of money by exploiting prison labor. This is legalized slavery. All private prisons should be immediately closed, and no person should ever be subjected to forced labor. Restructuring the United States prison system is absolutely necessary as a matter of racial and economic justice, and I will take all possible measures to fight for reparations. Police violence and militarization has no place in New Jersey, and as students and faculty across the nation protest against Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza in 2024, I stand in solidarity with the collective struggle. I call for full investigations into the egregious acts of police misconduct at these protests. The police are never above the law. No institution that employs this amount of racism should ever be trusted to enforce the law. This is why, in Congress, I will introduce measures to dramatically reduce police funding, cutting off access to military equipment. I will enact legislation to close for-profit prisons and help design new training programs for law enforcement. Furthermore, I will fund new, alternative institutions that serve people in need. Immigration Economic justice, in part, means that the United States must take responsibility for its violence in Latin America and its theft of industry. Instead, however, the United States has increased its militarization at the Mexican border with bipartisan support. As policing increases, so too do arrests and deportations, allowing the xenophobic narrative to gain traction by pointing out an apparent “increase in crime.” In Congress, I will support robust citizenship programs for migrant workers and their families. I stand in solidarity with all immigrants, and I will fight for labor protections to combat the dangerous working conditions faced by many migrant workers. Additionally, education programs must be made available for all immigrants regardless of documentation. I will never tolerate any policies that treat human beings only as laborers.[2] |
” |
—Benjamin Taylor’s campaign website (2024)[3] |
Campaign finance summary
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See also
2024 Elections
External links
Candidate U.S. House New Jersey District 9 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on June 10, 2024
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Benjamin Taylor’s campaign website, “Issues,” accessed October 24, 2024