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Dear all,

I hope this message finds you well.
It has come to my attention that there is a story circulating about my job history and employment. Before that continues to grow on its own, I wanted to set the record straight for you all to hear it from me.

For some background, after initially working in a research lab for 6 years, I began my career in teaching in 2015. I had worked there for years on and off as an adjunct or lecturer. Much like I refer to myself as a scientist because I worked in that field for a long period of time, I refer to myself as an educator because that is my career. It is the job I have worked longest in the last few years. However, I am currently unemployed and was not truthful about my employment history.

Not being clear about my work timeline and employment was a mistake. I got so caught up in other civic and political work over the years, it was just something I stopped correcting people on and perpetuated a story and I am truly sorry for anyone who feels misled, hurt, or betrayed by these actions. I am deeply sorry to my running mates, campaign staff, and anyone on my team for the hurt this has caused. That might not mean much now, but I hope in time I can work to repair these relationships. Truthfully, I was also self-conscious about not holding a job consistently. But I realize that my employment or unemployment is not a measure of my self-worth, which is something I did not take to heart at the time. It is why I deflected from the issue for so long and was not fully honest about my history.

Regardless of my personal feelings, I should have been more transparent and specific. The people of New Jersey deserve better from all those who have or plan to run for office, myself included. We cannot continue to hold political machines or incumbents to a higher standard if we do not hold each other to that same standard. And if I let people down in that way, I sincerely apologize. That is why out of respect for my team and their message, I am suspending my campaign. I still believe in all the values and policies you have come to know me for like fighting for fairer wages for working people, affordable housing, Medicare for All, true criminal justice reform, and more. That is who I am and those are the issues I will continue to champion.

I hope that we can all continue to do the work needed to fight for these changes. I understand if you feel hurt that I was not clear on this issue and if you have any questions or wish to reach out in any capacity, please contact me directly at jasonkrychiw@gmail.com so we can continue this conversation or return anything from the campaign. I hope that clearing this up will show that I am always trying to get better. I will continue to work for the betterment of my town, county, and state while I continue to work on myself. I hope that we can continue to do good work, focus on the real issues plaguing people every day, and push for the change we want to see.

In solidarity,
Jason Krychiw

AISSA C. HEATH AND RICKY CASTANEDA DROP OUT OF RACE FOR LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT 20, CITING DISHONESTY AND DECEIT


Progressive challengers for State Assembly in Union County step away from campaign following the news of State Senate candidate Jason Krychiw’s false employment scandal


Aissa C. Heath, Ricky Castaneda, and the entire Krychiw, Heath, and Castaneda for LD20 campaign are shocked and appalled to learn the disappointing truth that Jason Krychiw, candidate for State Senate at the top of their ticket, has been lying about his credentials as a lecturer at Kean University.

An article in the New Jersey Globe, dated April 21, claims Krychiw has not worked at Kean University since at least 2017 — even though he has run his entire 2021 campaign for state legislature on the premise that he is a lecturer at the major university within the district. His campaign has verified this as unfortunately (and unbeknownst to the entire staff) true.
"This campaign was supposed to be run on the progressive principles of transparency, truth, and accountability,” said Aissa Heath. “And unfortunately, because of Jason’s actions, we can no longer say that. I can no longer in good faith continue to run knowing that so much trust was broken. On behalf of the LD20 campaign, I want to apologize to everyone who believed in the campaign. None of our staff, volunteers, or even his running mates knew he misled us and had we known, we would never put so many people through this hurt. There is no ill will wished, however, the pain Jason has caused our entire campaign cannot be taken back. The progressive movement needs to move forward, but it cannot move forward with this campaign. I am deeply, deeply sorry for all those who believed in the LD20 campaign."

The Krychiw, Heath, and Castaneda campaign fully launched in January with multiple ads citing Krychiw’s current position as an educator and advocating for progressive values, such as healthcare, the environment, and labor. The slate has been endorsed by Sunrise Movement (Union County), NAPAC (Nigerian Americans Public Affairs Committee), Run for Something (endorsed Aissa Heath alone), and the Progressive Democrats of New Jersey. The slate officially filed to run on April 5, along with an entire slate of candidates throughout Union County.

“The manipulation, deception, and gaslighting have hurt me, Aissa, our campaign staff, our supporters, and the working class, for whom this campaign was launched for,” said Castaneda. “We are dropping out of this race because we have broken your trust and let you all down. I am sorry to our campaign team for trusting us and to the supporters who believed in this campaign.

The progressive movement shall need to move forward without the LD 20 campaign.”
With Krychiw, Heath, and Castaneda all withdrawing from the race, it is unclear whether the other candidates under the Progressive Democrats of New Jersey slate (Column C) will stay in their races. Antoinette Dukes, candidate for Union Township Committee and Sienna Bucu, candidate for County Commissioner, have announced they will be withdrawing from the race, as well. Heath, Castaneda, and the entire campaign send their deepest apologies to all supporters and regret trusting so blindly.


Always,
Aissa and Ricky