Two influential labor unions have endorsed Rep. Robert J. Menendez (D-Jersey City) for re-election in New Jersey’s 8th district.
Menendez has the support of the International Longshoremen’s Association and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 164. Both unions come with financial resources and boots on the ground to turnout voters for the Democratic primary.
“From his current Congressional posts including serving on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to his previous experience as a Commissioner of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Congressman Rob Menendez helps protect the jobs and the interest of our ILA New Jersey members and their families,” said Harold Daggett, the ILA president.
With ports in Bayonne, Newark, and Elizabeth, a significant number of ILA members live in Menendez’s district.
“We have supported Rob since his first election and he has delivered,” said IBEW Local 164 Business Manager Daniel Gumble. “Rob is always there for us. We know that he will continue to be a champion for unions everywhere and support the hard-working men and women of IBEW. We are thrilled to offer our endorsement for Congressman Rob Menendez’s re-election efforts and look forward to partnering with his campaign team so that we can return him to Washington in November.”
Menendez said support from labor unions affirms “the work that we have done in Washington – supporting pivotal legislation like the Working Families Task Force Act and the PRO Act, and delivering billions in federal funding for our district.”
“We fight every day for working families and for our brothers and sisters in labor,” he said. “With their support, we will win re-election so that we can continue the good fight together.”
In a statement, Menendez noted the critical role port workers play in the supply chain, in New Jersey and across the U.S.
“I will always be there to fight for and listen to our unions,” the freshman congressman stated. “In Washington, we will continue to deliver federal funds for our district and for infrastructure investments that will continue to grow the port.”
Menendez faces a primary challenge from Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla.