Sue Altman Biography
Sue Altman is a progressive political activist and educator running for Congress in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District. Born and raised in Clinton, New Jersey, she initially gained recognition as a standout college and professional basketball player before transitioning into a career in education and politics. Altman has been a staunch advocate for public education, previously taking a prominent role in standing up to former Governor Chris Christie over cuts to New Jersey’s public schools.
She also served as the Executive Director of the New Jersey Working Families Alliance, where she led efforts to expose corruption related to a $1 billion corporate tax incentive program in Camden. Altman’s work uncovered misuse of taxpayer dollars, which led to a criminal investigation and significant penalties against political figures involved in the scheme. Her activism in tackling corruption and fighting for working families has been central to her campaign, as she seeks to address issues like rising costs, reproductive rights, and public safety.
Sue Altman has positioned herself as a challenger to incumbent Republican Congressman Tom Kean Jr. in the upcoming 2024 election.
Sue Altman Parents
Sue Altman’s mother, Barbara Altman, was also a standout basketball player1. However, there isn’t much publicly available information about her father.
Sue Altman Age
Sue Altman is 42 years old as of 2024.
Sue Altman Height
Sue Altman’s height is not publicly disclosed.
Sue Altman Educational Background
Sue Altman has an impressive educational background that highlights her strong academic and athletic achievements. She attended public schools in Clinton, New Jersey, and later pursued higher education at Columbia University, where she played on the women’s basketball team.
Altman continued her academic journey by obtaining two graduate degrees from Oxford University in the United Kingdom. After her studies, she became an educator and basketball coach, dedicating herself to mentoring young people and promoting public education in New Jersey.
Sue Altman Career
Sue Altman has emerged as a key political figure and activist in New Jersey, using her career to advocate for working families, public education, and government accountability. Her journey from the basketball courts to the political arena has been defined by relentless dedication to tackling corruption, supporting community interests, and standing up for marginalized voices. Over the years, Altman’s involvement in various social justice and political initiatives has made her a formidable force in New Jersey’s political landscape. Let’s explore her career journey:
Early Activism and Stand Against Chris Christie
Sue Altman’s career in activism took off when she became a leading voice against the policies of former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. In 2016, during a public town hall, she stood up to Christie regarding his proposed budget cuts to public education. Her passion for protecting public education and teachers caught the attention of the media when she confronted Christie and criticized his administration’s cuts, which would have significantly affected the state’s school system. This moment was emblematic of Altman’s approach to activism: fearless and unrelenting in defense of vulnerable communities. Her public opposition to Christie marked the beginning of her rise in New Jersey politics.
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Leading the New Jersey Working Families Alliance
In 2017, Sue Altman became the Executive Director of the New Jersey Working Families Alliance, a progressive organization focused on fighting political corruption, advocating for economic justice, and holding government officials accountable. Under her leadership, the Alliance took on numerous critical issues, including economic inequality, housing rights, and public health. One of her most notable achievements during this period was leading a coalition to investigate a controversial $1 billion corporate tax incentive program in Camden, which had failed to generate the promised jobs but benefited powerful political and corporate leaders. This effort resulted in state and federal investigations and exposed corruption within both political parties.
Tackling Corporate Welfare and Corruption in Camden
In 2019, Sue Altman gained national attention when she spearheaded efforts to expose corporate welfare in Camden, New Jersey. She played a key role in uncovering how a $1 billion tax incentive scheme, designed to attract businesses to the economically struggling city, had instead enriched politically connected companies without delivering the expected jobs or benefits to local residents. Her campaign to hold the corporate beneficiaries accountable resulted in a criminal investigation and increased public scrutiny of New Jersey’s tax incentive programs. Altman’s efforts in Camden earned her both praise and criticism, as she boldly took on influential political figures, including Democratic power broker George Norcross.
Confrontation with State Senate
Altman’s battle against political corruption came to a head in November 2019, when she was forcibly removed from a New Jersey State Senate hearing. She had been attending a hearing regarding the tax incentive scandal in Camden and was there to confront the politicians who had been complicit in the misuse of public funds. The incident, which saw state troopers remove Altman from the chamber, was widely covered by the media and elevated her profile as a political activist. Altman refused to back down, continuing to criticize the misuse of taxpayer money and calling for greater transparency in the state government.
Altman’s Congressional Campaign Launch
In early 2023, Sue Altman announced her candidacy for New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District. Her decision to run for Congress was driven by her desire to bring the fight for economic justice, public education, and government accountability to the national level. Altman’s campaign quickly gained momentum, with endorsements from progressive organizations and Democratic leaders across the state. She positioned herself as a progressive alternative to incumbent Republican Congressman Tom Kean Jr., focusing her campaign on issues like reproductive rights, environmental protection, and lowering costs for working families. Her platform centered on fighting corruption, both in New Jersey and Washington, D.C., a theme that resonated with many voters in the district.
Building a Broad Coalition
During her congressional campaign, Sue Altman demonstrated her ability to build a broad coalition of support. She garnered endorsements from various progressive groups, labor unions, and even some independent voters who were frustrated with the current political landscape. Altman’s message of fighting for the “little guy” and taking on political corruption appealed to a diverse range of constituents. In particular, her support for increasing access to affordable healthcare, protecting public education, and addressing climate change were central to her platform. As the 2024 election approached, Altman’s grassroots organizing efforts gained traction, allowing her to challenge the well-funded Republican incumbent.
Sue Altman Husband and Children
Details regarding Sue Altman’s husband and children are not publicly disclosed. She tends to keep her personal life private.
Sue Altman Net Worth
There is currently no publicly disclosed information about Sue Altman’s net worth. Her financial activities primarily relate to her campaign fundraising efforts for her congressional bid, where she has successfully raised significant amounts for her campaign, such as $1.65 million in the second quarter of 2024 . However, specific details regarding her personal net worth remain undisclosed.
FAQs
Who is Sue Altman?
Sue Altman is a progressive political activist and educator, currently running for Congress in New Jersey’s 7th District. She has been a key figure in advocating for public education, anti-corruption policies, and workers’ rights throughout her career.
What are Sue Altman’s top priorities?
Sue Altman’s campaign focuses on issues such as fighting corruption, protecting reproductive rights, addressing environmental crises, and advocating for affordable healthcare, public education, and workers’ rights.
What is Sue Altman’s professional background?
Before entering politics, Altman was a professional basketball player and educator. She also served as the Executive Director of the New Jersey Working Families Alliance, where she worked on issues like economic justice and political accountability.
What inspired Sue Altman to run for Congress?
Altman was motivated to run for Congress to take her fight for public education, economic justice, and government accountability to a national level. Her advocacy work, particularly around exposing corruption in New Jersey, has fueled her congressional ambitions.
What significant roles has Sue Altman played in activism?
Altman has led various initiatives, including exposing a $1 billion corporate tax incentive scheme in Camden, New Jersey, which led to state and federal investigations. She has also fought against political corruption and advocated for workers’ and women’s rights.
What is Sue Altman’s stance on corruption?
Sue Altman has dedicated much of her career to fighting political corruption. As the leader of the New Jersey Working Families Alliance, she exposed corporate welfare schemes and pushed for transparency and accountability in government.
What public confrontations has Sue Altman been involved in?
Altman gained national attention when she was forcibly removed from a New Jersey State Senate hearing in 2019. This occurred after she confronted political figures about a corporate tax scheme in Camden, further cementing her reputation as a fearless activist.
