Sue Altman is a political activist, educator, and former professional basketball player. She is the Democratic nominee in the 2024 election for New Jersey's 7th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Early life and education

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Altman was born in Clinton, NJ, and raised in nearby Lambertville in Hunterdon County.

She attended Clinton Public School and Voorhees High School before receiving a Bachelor of Arts in History from Columbia University, where she played on the women’s basketball team, earning All-Ivy honors.[1]

After college, Altman played basketball professionally in Ireland and Germany, and earned master’s degrees from University of Oxford.[2]

Career

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After completing her graduate studies, Altman returned to the U.S., where she taught at Blair Academy in Blairstown, NJ, before moving to Camden and pursuing educational activism.

She served as the Executive Director of the New Jersey Working Families Alliance from 2019 until 2023.[3]

She first came to public attention in 2016 during a town hall with then-New Jersey Governor Chris Christie when they verbally sparred over Christie’s education policy.[4] Altman then received national attention in 2019 when she was dragged out by state troopers from a New Jersey Senate hearing regarding corporate tax breaks.[5]

2024 Congressional Campaign

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Altman won the Democratic primary for NJ-07 on June 4, 2024.[6] She was added to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s Red to Blue list to indicate Democrats see her campaign as a top national priority in efforts to take control of the House.[7] The congressional district is one of 17 House districts currently represented by a Republican but went for President Biden in the 2020 election.[8]

Political Positions

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Altman stated her support to codify access to abortion in federal law.[9] She has also expressed support for the Access to Family Building Act[1], which would provide a statutory right to access assisted reproductive technology, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). [10]

References

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  1. ^ Prunty, Jillian. "From the court to the campaign trail: Sue Altman's journey from Columbia basketball to congressional politics". Columbia Daily Spectator. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  2. ^ Graham, David A. (2024-06-18). "Born to Run". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
  3. ^ "Race to watch: What to know about N.J. 7th Congressional District candidates". WHYY. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  4. ^ Racioppi, Dustin. "Christie faces opposition at school funding forum". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
  5. ^ Tully, Tracey (December 10, 2019). "Why a Progressive Democrat Was Dragged Out of an N.J. Senate Hearing". The New York Times. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  6. ^ "New Jersey 7th Congressional District Primary Election Results". The New York Times. 2024-06-04. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  7. ^ Fox, Joey (2024-03-28). "DCCC adds Altman to 'Red to Blue' list for top House candidates". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
  8. ^ Hulac, Benjamin J. (2024-06-05). "All eyes on NJ's seesaw 7th district for general election". NJ Spotlight News. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
  9. ^ "Sue Altman on X". July 22, 2024.
  10. ^ Han, Daniel (August 12, 2024). "Democrats test a battleground theory: IVF fears can win against a 'pro-choice' Republican". Politico.