Steve Sweeney Calls for Defunding Extremist Billionaire Elon Musk
- Steve Sweeney for Governor
- Feb 25
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 19
WOULD END TESLA'S SPECIAL TREATMENT IN NEW JERSEY
Woodbury, NJ - Former New Jersey State Senate President Steve Sweeney today called on Governor Murphy and state legislators to repeal the 2015 law giving special treatment in New Jersey to Tesla, the company founded by Elon Musk.
The 2015 law — which granted Tesla the unprecedented privileges not afforded to other car manufacturers— was deemed necessary to spur the development of the electric car industry at that time but is no longer necessary. Sweeney said that if the legislature fails to act this year, he will prioritize this repeal as Governor in 2026.
“I’m a former union Ironworker who is running for Governor to change a system that puts the interests of billionaires ahead of working people,” Sweeney remarked. “In light of what Elon Musk is doing in Washington to hurt working people, his special treatment in New Jersey law should be ended. New Jerseyans deserve a level playing field that ensures that all automakers, including Tesla, follow the same rules as everyone else.”
“Continuing to allow Tesla to operate under a different set of rules hurts our economy at a time we need to be growing our workforce,” continued Sweeney. “It is time to put extremist Elon Musk in his place and prioritize the interests of New Jerseyans ahead of Nazi-saluting billionaires.”
At the time of passage, sales of Tesla as a percentage of all car sales were less than 1% and they led all electric vehicle sales. Today, nearly every major car company is selling electric vehicles. Tesla must be required to follow the same regulatory framework that governs the rest of the auto industry as a matter of fairness. While local dealerships are held to strict consumer protection standards, Tesla’s model sidesteps key oversight mechanisms, leaving customers vulnerable and undercutting the competitive market. This carve-out for one company is unfair, and detrimental to New Jersey’s small businesses, workers, and consumers. By reversing this exemption, New Jersey will reaffirm its commitment to consumer protections, job growth, and economic fairness.