AFL-CIO endorses Rebecca Bennett over Tom Kean

The New Jersey AFL-CIO has endorsed Democrat Rebecca Bennett for Congress in New Jersey’s 7th district.

Bennett, a former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot, is challenging two-term Rep. Thomas Kean, Jr. (R-Westfield) in one of the nation’s most competitive House races.

Two years ago, the AFL-CIO took no position in the 7th, where Kean was facing a challenge from Sue Altman.  The labor group backed Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-Ringoes) in his unsuccessful 2022 re-election campaign against Kean, and endorsed Malinowski in his 2020 race against Kean.

New Jersey State Building & Construction Trades Council announced earlier this month that it was staying neutral two years after supporting Kean for reelection.   Kean has been absent from Congress for over three months due to a personal health issue.

The labor union is also staying out of the 2nd district race between four-term Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-Dennis) and Democrat Zach Mullock, the mayor of Cape May.  The AFL-CIO backed Van Drew in 2018 and 2022, but supported his Democratic opponent, Amy Kennedy, in 2020; they skipped the 2024 campaign.

The AFL-CIO has endorsed U.S. Senator Cory Booker for re-election against Republican Justin Michael Murphy.

Rep. Christopher Smith (R-Manchester), a longtime favorite of organized labor, was again endorsed by the AFL-CIO. So was Adam Hamaway, the winner of the Democratic nomination in the 12th district.  Endorsements also went to Reps. Donald Norcross (D-Camden), the former president of the South Jersey AFL-CIO; Herb Conaway, Jr. (D-Delran); Josh Gottheimer (D-Tenafly); Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-Long Branch); Robert J. Menendez (D-Jersey City); Nellie Pou (D-North Haledon); LaMonica McIver (D-Newark); and  Analilia Mejia (D-Glen Ridge).   Norcross and Mejia are union members.

The endorsements were announced at an AFL-CIO meeting in Atlantic City today.  Booker, AFL-CIO National President Liz Shuler, and Lt. Governor Dale Caldwell were also in attendance.

“These endorsements are a testament to the utmost trust that we place in these candidates to take a strong stand in support of all working families and fight to protect the fundamental rights that generations of working people have fought and died for,” said longtime New Jersey State AFL-CIO President Charles Wowkanech. “These candidates not only embody our union values but have a profound understanding of the issues and challenges that face working people today.”

The AFL-CIO has also endorsed 39 local candidates:  Vince Sera, AFSCME 1210A, Brigantine Mayor; James McCue, AFSCME DC 37, Matawan Council; Hailey Cruz Batista, AFT 857, Perth Amboy Council; Jeffrey Wingfield, AFT 1904, Orange Board of Education; Crystal Feliciano, AFT 2222, Trenton Council; Khalimah Poole, AFT 2222, Carteret Board of Education; Jaclyn Hettinger, AFT 2373, Waterford Council; Abdur Yasin, AFT 6324, Essex County Commissioner; Adolfo DiCosmo, BAC 7, Roselle Park Council; Cengiz “Jimmy” Sever, BAC 7, North Arlington Council; Kevin Bucceroni, CWA 1014 / HFIAW 14, Black Horse Pike Regional School Board; Adam Bierman, CWA 1033, Princeton Board of Education; Belinda Fontanez, CWA 1036, Pemberton Mayor; Leonard Luciano, CWA 1037, Essex County Commissioner; Sarah Sanchez, CWA 1037, Saddle Brook Council; Jason Allen, CWA 1040, Pemberton Council; Charles Hassler, IBEW 94, Salem County Commissioner; Matthew McDevitt, IBEW 98, Pennsauken Board of Education; Andrew Mattson, IBEW 164, Rochelle Park Committee; Bert Steinmann, IBEW 269, Ewing Mayor; Chris Marter, IBEW 351, Riverside Council; Kyle Miller, IBEW 351, Woodbury Mayor; Michael Tolomeo, IBEW 351, Stratford Council; Tom Prince, IBEW 400, Beachwood Council; Michael Riordan, IBEW 827, Brigantine Council; Donald Heverly, Ironworkers 399, Monroe Council; Michael Martorelli, IUOE 68, East Hanover Council; Christopher Carney, IUOE 825, Sussex County Clerk; Matthew Walker, IUOE 825, Buena Council; Vince Martinez, IUPAT 2011, Pennsauken Committee; Wayne Richardson, LIUNA 55, Essex County Commissioner; Randy Brolo, LIUNA 172, Burlington County Commissioner; John Kendall, SAG-AFTRA, Haddon Township Board of Education; Glen Kocsis, SMART/SMWIA 27, Neptune City Council; Roshan White, UA 24, Scotch Plains Council; Zachary Astor, UA 855, Hainesport Committee; Eric Aiken, UBC 255, Hamilton Committee; Jonathan Young, Sr., UBC 255, Camden County Commissioner; Sam Ferraino, Jr., UFCW 360, Woodbury Council.