The New Jersey Working Families Party made its first endorsement of the Assembly cycle this afternoon, endorsing Chigozie Onyema in his primary battle in the 28th legislative district.
Onyema, an attorney and co-chair of the Newark West Ward Democratic Committee, is seeking the Democratic nomination in the Essex County-based district. Onyema is competing against two incumbents: Assemblywomen Garnet Hall (D-Maplewood) and Cleopatra Tucker (D-Newark).
Antoinette Miles, the state director of the progressive NJ Working Families Party, said Onyema has demonstrated “strong support” for the organization’s agenda, which includes raising the minimum wage, expanding collective bargaining rights for workers, and strengthening tenant protections.
“We need someone like Chigozie fighting for working people in Trenton,” Miles said in a release. “There’s a reason he’s our first legislative endorsement this cycle. As an attorney, community organizer, and activist, Chigozie has a record of bringing people together to make positive change. He gets what families are going through right now with rising costs and stagnant wages, he knows what policies to fight for, and he knows how to win.”
Onyema and Hall received the endorsement of Union County Democrats earlier this week—one Union municipality, Hillside, is also in the district.
Essex County Democrats will vote to endorse in the Assembly race at their convention on Saturday. Onyema was the top vote-getter at their screening committee meeting earlier this month.
“I’m honored to receive the endorsement of the New Jersey Working Families Party,” Onyema said in a release. “I’ve long considered myself a Working Families Democrat, and I’m ready to fight for a New Jersey that works for everyone. From affordable housing to health care access, labor rights to climate justice, I’ll be a tireless advocate for policies that put working families first.”
The NJWFP said their endorsement will come with grassroots organizing support, paid media, and volunteers.