The United Auto Workers union has endorsed Carolyn Rush for the Democratic nomination for Congress in New Jersey’s 2nd district—her first union endorsement in a bid to challenge Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-Dennis).
In addition to manufacturing vehicles and auto parts, the UAW has members in the casino gambling industry. Rush supports a ban on indoor smoking in Atlantic City casinos.
“I support unions because unions support workers. I refuse to accept casino dealers being forced to work in an unsafe environment. Hard-working citizens deserve protection,” Rush said. “Along with the UAW, I support workers, especially the little guys who just need to be treated fairly.”
Rush comes from a union family: her father was a member of the Plasters & Cement Masons union, her husband is a union Sprinkler Fitter, her son is a member of the Steamfitters union, her daughter is a member of the National Treasury Employee union, and her sister is an NJEA member.
In the lineless Democratic primary, Rush faces former prosecutor Tim Alexander, and businessman Joseph Salerno.
This is Rush’s second congressional run. In 2022, Alexander defeated her in the Democratic primary by a 62%-32% margin.