Introducing Milly Silva!

In a packed Rutherford conference room, Barbara introduced her running mate, Milly Silva.

"Milly Silva is a woman whose fundamental beliefs align with this campaign’s guiding principle – that a strong New Jersey doesn’t come from the top down but stems from a robust middle class," said Senator Barbara Buono. 

"That’s why today I am so proud to announce that she will be my running mate."

The Buono-Silva ticket is only the third major party all-female ticket in American history.

“I am honored to stand with Senator Buono today as we embark on this journey to restore New Jersey,” Silva said. “Senator Buono has always been a strong advocate for our middle class and our working people, our women and our children and our seniors – and I am proud to be on the ticket with a woman who shares my values.”

Whether it’s her early work organizing for low-income communities or her untiring devotion to New Jersey’s nursing home and health care workers today, 1199SEIU Executive Vice President Milly Silva has a strong record of uplifting people in need.

Milly was born in the Bronx, where she was raised by a single mother from Puerto Rico. At a young age, she became fully aware of how much opportunity makes a difference. It ignited her lifelong passion for matters of social justice and solidified her belief that all people deserve a chance to reach their full potential. A graduate of Columbia University, Milly employed a combination of grants, loans, and work-study to become the first in her family to earn a college degree.

For the last decade, she has been a leader at 1199SEIU – a union representing 8,000 workers in New Jersey – as it pursues health insurance benefits, a living wage, and positive work environments for health care employees in New Jersey.

Milly looks forward to working with Barbara to restore a New Jersey of opportunity for all people.

What people are saying about Milly:

Senator Robert Menendez: “I think she’s a great choice...Milly obviously has a background in government (as a labor leader), but from the outside. She has worked on numerous state issues and I have worked with her on federal issues. She’s a great organizer and will serve the ticket well.” (Max Pizarro, “Menendez praises Silva as a ‘great choice’ for LG, Politicker NJ, 7/26/2013)

Daniel Rubin, Philadelphia Inquirer: “Silva looked like a raw, but real, political talent." (Daniel Rubin, “Silva: No Joke,” Philadelphia Inquirer, 7/30/2013)

Senate President Steve Sweeney: Silva is…“a tireless and selfless advocate for middle class” who will bring “unquestionable experience and leadership credentials to the Democratic ticket.” (Dan Alexander, “Buono Names Silva as Running Mate,” NJ 101.5, 7/29/2013)

Newark Mayor Cory Booker: "@CoryBooker: I know her well. She is a pretty amazing person in all respects RT@dgolabek: Any thoughts on senator buono's selection of milly silva as LG" (Twitter, 7/29/2013)

Columnist John Atlas: "Yesterday when Barbara Buono announced Milly Silva, the Executive Vice President of 1199 SEIU, as her choice for lieutenant governor, she gave Democrats a shot at making Christie a one-term governor." (John Atlas, "Milly Silva Should Help Progressives to Unite and Defeat Christie," Huffington Post, 7/30/2013)