Menendez endorsed by IBEW Local 164

Port Authority Commissioner Rob Menendez, the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination in the 8th congressional district, today received the endorsement of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 164.

“To put it simply, we are endorsing Rob Menendez because he gets it,” IBEW Local 164 business manager Daniel Gumble said in a statement. “Rob has made support for unions and our right to organize a core tenet of his campaign… With him in Congress, IBEW and hard-working families throughout the 8th congressional district will have a bona fide fighter who will always advocate for us.”

Since the New Jersey Globe broke the news of Rep. Albio Sires (D-West New York)’s retirement, Menendez has been clearly favored to replace him in Congress. Menendez is the son of U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, who held the 8th district seat before Sires, and has the Democratic Party line in all three of the district’s counties.

Three other Democrats – healthcare startup director David Ocampo Grajales, Chris Christie intern Brian Varela, and Amistad Commission member Ane Roseborough-Eberhard – have also announced campaigns or filed to run. Republicans aren’t a factor in the district, which includes almost all of Hudson County and is one of the most Democratic in the state.