Republican congressional candidate Rob Healey says he will divest his ownership of stocks connected to Russian, China and tobacco companies that “don’t align with my core values.”
“My life has always been one of learning and evolving, and my run for Congress is no different,” Healey said. “I recently filed my Personal Financial Disclosure with the U.S. House, and even delayed doing so in the wake of my father’s death, in order to be completely transparent with my finances.”
Among the stocks he will sell are shares in Li Ning Company, a Chinese clothing manufacturer. Last month, the U.S. banned all imports of Li Ning products following allegations that they used North Korean slave labor as part of its supply chain. Li Ning had been accused of human rights violations in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, including a cooperation agreement with a manufacturer that operated inside an internment camp.
“Up until now, most of my investments have been in managed accounts, meaning I don’t see or approve every single trade made on my behalf,” Healey stated. “Like a lot of Americans, I entrust those decisions to a financial advisor whose job is to earn a return on my investment.”
Healey owns up to $4.5 million in stocks in 213 different companies, according to his personal financial disclosure with the U.S. House of Representatives.
While he will sell his tobacco stocks, Healey owns up stock worth up to $1.09 million in pharmaceutical companies that could become an issue in his campaign.
An owner of the New Jersey-based Viking Yacht Company, Healey aces gym owner Ian Smith and realtor Nicholas Ferrara in the Republican primary to take on Rep. Andy Kim (D-Moorestown) in New Jersey’s 3rd districts.
“As these reports are look-backs, all of the stocks are still listed on my report for people to see, but they won’t be listed going forward as they are no longer investments I hold, whether I win the seat or not,” said Healey. “The people of this district and this country deserve elected officials who are open, honest, and accountable, even when doing so may come with political risk. That is the kind of representative I aspire to be if elected this November.”
