NJEA endorses Bennett, Mullock for Congress

The New Jersey Education Association has expanded its congressional endorsements for 2026, backing Democratic challengers Rebecca Bennett in New Jersey’s 7th district and Zack Mullock in the 2nd District as part of a national effort to help Democrats regain control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

The endorsements came from the NEA Fund for Children and Public Education, the federal political action committee of the National Education Association, acting on recommendations from NJEA.

Bennett, a former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot, is challenging two-term Rep. Tom Kean, Jr. (R-Westfield) in one of the most competitive House races in the U.S.   Mullock, the mayor of Cape May, is taking on Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-Dennis) in a tougher race for Democrats

NJEA President Steve Beatty, Vice President Petal Robertson, and Secretary-Treasurer Tina Dare said the union was backing candidates who support public education.

“NJEA is proud to recommend these advocates and allies for endorsement because they have proven they share our values and know how to get things done in Washington,” the three union officials said in a joint statement. “The gutting of the U.S. Department of Education and the harmful financial impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on our public schools prove that now, more than ever, we need members of Congress to be staunch supporters of children, educators and public schools.

Beatty, Robertson and Dare said Bennett and Mullock “pledged to fight for hard-working families because they know that when our families and communities work together, we create strong schools and successful students.”

The union also pledged to mobilize its membership on behalf of the endorsed candidates.

“When NJEA endorses candidates, they know our endorsement comes with a pledge to do the work to help them win,” the officers said. “Our members are eager to organize, volunteer, and vote so that these candidates and others who earn our endorsement will win next November.”

So far, the state’s largest public employees union is staying out of the 4th district, where 23-term Rep. Christopher Smith (R-Manchester) and the 12th district race, where Democrat Adam Hamaway, a retired U.S. Army combat surgeon, is the clear favorite to capture the seat of outgoing Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Ewing).