The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees has endorsed Democrat Rebecca Bennett for Congress in New Jersey’s 7th district, adding another labor organization to her coalition as she seeks to unseat Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-Westfield).
AFSCME Council 63 announced its endorsement Wednesday, citing Bennett’s positions on affordability, health care, collective bargaining rights and public employee pensions.
. “Our public sector workers show up every day to ensure that we have access to the services we need,” said Bennett, a former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot.
Bennett said she would work in Congress to lower health care costs, expand access to care, protect collective bargaining rights and ensure public employees receive the pensions they have earned.
The union also backed Democrat Sue Altman against Kean in 2024, a race Kean won on his way to a second term in Congress. AFSCME endorsed Democrat Tom Malinowski (D-Ringoes) in 2018, when he defeated Republican Rep. Leonard Lance (R-Clinton Township).
The endorsement comes less than a week after the New Jersey State Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association switched its support from Kean to Bennett. Unlike AFSCME, the firefighters union has moved between the two parties in recent congressional races, backing Kean in 2020 and 2024 and Malinowski in 2022.
Steve Tully, executive director of AFSCME New Jersey, said Bennett’s record of public service helped drive the union’s decision.
“As a long-time public servant, Rebecca has never forgotten who government is supposed to work for, and she understands that AFSCME members keep New Jersey running,” Tully said. “Our members deserve leaders who will support public services and who will be on their side.”
Tully took a direct shot at Kean in announcing the endorsement.
“Unlike her opponent, Rebecca Bennett walks the walk and has our members’ back,” he said. “We will do all we can to help send Rebecca to Congress.”