New Jersey Candidate Faces Scrutiny Over Opioid-Linked Donations
New Jersey’s Democratic candidate, Mikie Sherrill, is under fire after it was revealed that her campaign accepted thousands of dollars in donations from companies connected to the opioid crisis. This comes as Sherrill has been criticizing her opponent, Jack Ciattarelli, for his alleged ties to the same issue.
Sherrill has accused Ciattarelli of being connected to the opioid crisis. However, records show that her campaign received money from political action committees associated with AmerisourceBergen, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Endo Pharmaceuticals, and Johnson & Johnson.
These companies have faced accusations and lawsuits related to their role in the opioid epidemic. AmerisourceBergen, for example, was accused of profiting from the crisis by shipping large quantities of prescription painkillers. They later reached a settlement with Washington state.
Ciattarelli’s team criticized Sherrill, saying she is trying to distract from her own record. They point out that she has taken money from the very companies she is now criticizing.
Sherrill’s campaign defended her, saying she has worked to fight the opioid crisis and helped pass laws to fund treatment and prevention programs. However, they did not say whether she would return the donations from the pharmaceutical companies.
Ciattarelli has also faced scrutiny for his past connections to opioid manufacturers. His former company published content that promoted opioids for pain management.
This issue has become a key point of contention in the New Jersey race, with both candidates accusing each other of being linked to the opioid crisis.
