MONMOUTH COUNTY-Jim Keady, who became famous for once being told by former Governor Chris Christie to “Sit down and shut up” has finally done it. Today, Keady announced he will end his run for Congress against Republican Chris Smith in New Jersey’s 4th congressional district.
“Today I am ending my campaign for the Democratic nomination for Congress in NJ’s 4th District,” he said.
The announcement came after an email sex scandal involving Keady and a young staffer, according to an exchange at a recent candidate debate where the women involved in the scandal heckled Keady demanding he stops his campaign.
“I want to apologize to my supporters, my friends, and the people who I have hurt in recent days. I want to specifically and sincerely apologize to Ms. Kate Triggiano, Ms. Robyn Gedrich, Ms. Tracey Buckley, and Ms. Robin Nowicki,” he said. “The tone and tenor of the email I sent to you on December 11, 2019 was wrong, and the sharing of our private communications was a terrible error in judgment. I also want to apologize to Ms. Jennifer Fluharty, Ms. Liz DeBeer, Ms. Susan Boyce, Ms. Anna Marta Visky, and Ms. Marianne Clemente for copying you on the email. You did not deserve to be dragged into this, and I am sorry for the pain and inconvenience it has caused you.”
He continued to explain why he was stepping down.
“For those reading this who may be unsure of what is going on, I made a horrible mistake by sending the aforementioned email in response to rumors about my personal life that I learned were being circulated. Responding the way that I did was foolish and unworthy of the community I have sought to serve. I allowed my anger, my pain and my ego to get the best of me. I am deeply sorry and ashamed of my actions,” Keady said. “I am listening to the women I have hurt, and to the women I have lost as friends over this. And I am also listening to the women who still support me. To the women I hurt with that email, again, I am sorry. I have ideas as to how I can make amends for this mistake, and I welcome suggestions to this end. I also apologize to the supporters and friends who I have lost and disappointed. And to those who continue to support me, I appreciate your support, but I have to own up to this mistake. I am sorry for letting you down.”
Keady said he will donate all of his campaign funds raised so far equally to the Women’s March, 180-Turning Lives Around, and the Sunrise Movement.