NEW JERSEY — It’s bad enough to be shut out of political debates and hamstrung in the primary election by an unfair ballot layout. But being refused entry to a Democratic convention – even after getting an invitation from one of its members? That’s just plain “unacceptable,” a U.S. Senate candidate in New Jersey says.

According to Patricia Campos-Medina, this is what happened last weekend when she arrived at the Camden County Democratic Convention.

“I was invited to enter the building to greet supporters by a county committee member,” the former Newark resident said. “One of the men at the door told me the chairman didn’t invite me and to get out.”

Patch reached out to the Camden County Democratic Committee seeking comment about the incident. We will update this article with any reply we receive.

Campos-Medina – a child of immigrants who fled civil unrest in El Salvador in the early 1980s – has campaigned on a platform of social change, identifying herself as a Latina leader and a “daughter of the working class.” Read More: Campos-Medina Ramps Up Senate Campaign In New Jersey

“It’s tough enough to be a woman in New Jersey politics with its history of harassment and intimidation, but to be confronted by five men who did not have any identification or credentials to stop me at the Camden County Democrats Committee this weekend is unacceptable behavior,” she said.

“That’s why we need more women in politics to change the Democratic Party,” Campos-Medina added, sharing a video of the encounter online (article continues below).

Campos-Medina’s competitor, Rep. Kim, supported the longtime activist, saying that he was also prevented from attending the meeting – despite asking to join.

“This is not what democracy looks like,” Kim commented. “Making endorsements without a fair process undermines our democracy. Democrats need to do better.”

Campos-Medina is among a crowded field of candidates competing to replace Sen. Bob Menendez in New Jersey this year. Other candidates seeking the Democratic nod include Kim, Tammy Murphy, Kevin Cupples, Patrick Merrill and Lawrence Hamm.

Candidates seeking the Republican nomination include Curtis Bashaw, Michael Estrada, Albert Harshaw, Justin Murphy, Christine Serrano-Glassner and Alex Zdan. Additional candidates include Christina Khalil (Green Party of NJ) and Nick Carducci (Independent).

Murphy, the first lady of New Jersey, ended up with the committee’s endorsement in Camden County.

Campos-Medina has been welcomed at other county Democratic committee meetings this election cycle, including recent appearances in Morris County and Mercer County.

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