Kristen’s Pick: Jennifer Makar, Roselle Park Board of Education
Once upon a time, I was silent conservative in a blue state. I followed national and state politics closely, and I knew local politics just well enough to know that even Boards of Education were long ago taken over by subterfuge. The “non-partisan” positions were subtlety filled with NJEA supporters, party machine loyalists, and future major league candidates-for the Democratic Party ranks.
If you were unaware of this fact, or if you think I am inaccurate, then let me point you to Exhibit A. What happened when this year’s BOE elections became the most contested set of races ever in our State? What happened when a vocal, conservative voice for parents emerged and stepped up to fill these seats?
President Brandon allowed AG Garland to weaponize the DOJ and FBI to silence us.
Parents were threatened with teachers and entire Districts planning to call CPS on “non-compliant” objectors to mask mandates and divisive, partisan indoctrination, I mean, curriculum being introduced into the bodies and minds of our youngest learners.
Even in Virginia’s contested gubernatorial election, leftists supporting their incumbent Democratic Governor have run ads and signs arguing AGAINST a parental involvement in schools.
Such is the result of a public good being captured by interest groups as a source of income, and a trapped constituency being treated like interlopers, rather than customers of a product.
If the public education system is so confident in its righteousness, why hide its loyalties in the shadows? Any salesperson truly confident in their product welcomes and invites scrutiny.
Makes you wonder what else they are hiding…
At some point, my eyes were fixed on the school board elections of 2021. If I couldn’t change the mask mandate for my own son, I would devote every spare moment to supporting change across the ballot. And so, I sacrificed my social media anonymity to become a cheerleader for change.
I had long studied the scene, and I admired the “Red Renaissance” being led by young conservatives like Kimberly Klacik and Billy Prempeh. I can remember exactly how riveted I was watching Ms. Klacik glide through the streets of Baltimore, speaking with a conservative voice for change in her community. She was poised, polished, and so skilled using social media to strike a lasting mark on my mind.
I hoped that NJ Republicans would adopt her skills and strategy, and fortunately, The Red Renaissance has entered the chat in our State!
I entered the election season with the goal of helping conservative candidates achieve a bridge with voters young and old. I didn’t have much to give in the way of donations or time, so I had to carefully choose events and areas of the various races where I could be most helpful.
One summer evening, I attend an event for an Assembly candidate in a nearby District. My mom and two of my sister in laws were joining me for a Paint & Sip event. I was late, flustered from having to do a quick run to Urgent Care after my 3.5 year pulled a quick couch jump-head injury right before I was supposed to leave for the evening.
When I finally arrived, the attendees were already well into their snacks, drinks and American flag painting project. There was no time for me to mingle, I jumped into my artwork and wine.
Once our instructor finished her demonstration, there was time to socialize.
A young woman approached me and introduced herself. She had somehow recognized me from social media, and that alone I found flattering!
Then, she casually mentioned that my name had come up with….wait for it…KIMBERLY KLACIK. I was floored.
Jennifer Makar, you made my election season.
Now go make the Roselle Park Board of Education lead our State’s education system back to its historical greatness.
Meet Jennifer Makar…
Kristen: Who are you?
Jenn: I am a a women of Egyptian ethnicity whose parents legally immigrated to the United States. I was born and raised in New Jersey. I graduated from Roselle Park High School, and have been a resident of Roselle Park for the past 20 years.
I am a Sunday school teacher and youth mentor in my church.
I am a pharmaceutical contracts analyst and I also started my own event planning business.
Kristen: Why are you running?
Jenn: I originally ran for State Assembly to combat the indoctrination in the public schools. After that experience, I realized that the battle needs to be fought more locally. The opportunity to run for Board of Education was presented to me and I knew I had to go for it. I believe that there needs to be more transparency on what is happening in our schools with our tax dollars. The indoctrination spreading throughout our schools is like a disease.
Kristen: What is your stance on parental choice for medical freedom in schools?
Jenn: Parents are losing their right to mold and raise their children the way they want. Freedom of any kind is being portrayed as selfish and inhumane. The criminals are now the parents standing up for their children and compliance is a blind act. Medical freedom extends from masks and vaccines to sex education and psychological indoctrination. The mental effects of what is happening to our children is far greatly detrimental then we can imagine.
Kristen: What is your favorite Amendment?
Jenn: The First Amendment is my favorite. It is time the people petition the government for redress of grievances!
Kristen: Give me your pitch on your candidacy.
Jenn: I'm an ordinary citizen, watching our nation going down a direction of distress. Year after year, we let one group tell us how to live, how to raise our children, and how our money is spent. It's time we take back our neighborhoods, towns, states, and our country. I stand for Truth regardless of how offensive it may be misconstrued for political gain. I believe in leading with integrity, honesty, and conviction. I believe God is using my singleness to stand for such a time as this. I represent the hard working parents, the people who come from diverse backgrounds who feel they lack the ability to communicate their concerns, and the patriot who wants to see children be proud that they are living in the most blessed nation in the world.
Jenn, you had me at Kimberly Klacik.
But when I learned that the Mayor of Roselle Park, also a State Senate candidate has gone beyond the “non-partisan” guard rail and is promoting a last-minute write-in campaign against you, I was all in to share your story, and endorse you and your team on behalf of the Child Advocate Coalition LLC.
Readers, long before I said boo, Jenn was using her social media presence to speak honestly and boldly on behalf of her faithful and conservative values. With her, what you see is what want-honesty, integrity, and transparency. Unlike her Mayor (and hopefully not her future Senator in LD21), Jenn has never hidden her beliefs for political expediency.
She is the future leader our children need. Jenn has shown that you needn’t compromise your values and beliefs in order to pursue a goal-to be the change you want to see.
Jenn, this race will be remembered as the one you won by staying true to conservative values. There will always be foxes circling the hen house, hiding in shadows and platitudes. Thank you for standing up to those powerful forces and shining a light on the need for change in Roselle Park.
To learn more, follow Jenn on Instagram Here and Here. Reach her on Facebook Here.
Freedom Speaking LLC and Shielding Liberty LLC have partnered with the Child Advocate Coalition LLC to highlight candidates for office all across NJ, from local Board of Education candidates through the gubernatorial candidates. Views expressed by the candidates may or may not represent the views of the entities referenced above, however the entities are proud to provide a platform for free speech. Featured candidates are invited to submit responses to our interview questions, link their candidate and fundraising sites, and showcase their chosen photographs.