The Service Employees International Union New Jersey State Council has endorsed U.S. Senator Cory Booker and eight incumbent Democratic House members for re-election in the June primary election, but isn’t ready to take sides in competitive primaries for the open 12th district seat and in districts where Democrats are picking opponents for three Republican congressmen.
The union’s executive board and locals have not yet completed their screening process in non-incumbent districts and are expected to make future endorsements in the coming weeks, the New Jersey Globe has confirmed.
These endorsements come with boots on the ground for early voting and Election Day, and Latenya King, SEIU NJ State Council Vice President and Vice President of 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, said that the union is “committed to mobilizing our thousands of members.”
In addition to Booker, the SEIU is backing Reps. Donald Norcross (D-Camden), Herb Conaway, Jr. (D-Delanco), Josh Gottheimer (D-Tenafly), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-Long Branch), Robert J. Menendez (D-Jersey City), Nellie Pou (D-North Haledon), LaMonica McIver (D-Newark), and Analilia Mejia (D-Glen Ridge).
Menendez faces a primary challenge from former Jersey City Board of Education President Mussab Ali; Pallone and Mejia have minor challengers.
SEIU NJ State Council President Megan Chambers said that “strong and principled leadership in Congress has never been more essential at a time when working families face uncertainty around critical and important social issues.
“Progress is built by working people, workers are the backbone of New Jersey’s economy, and we proudly support candidates who not only recognize this truth but act on it,” Chambers stated. “Their leadership and their continued advocacy are vital to working families and the future of our state.”
Saying the incumbents “have earned the trust of working families,
Thirteen Democrats are running in New Jersey’s 12th district, where Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Ewing) is retiring after six terms in Congress. There is a four-way race in the 7th district – one of the most competitive in the nation – to take on two-term Rep. Thomas Kean, Jr. (R-Westfield).
Four Democrats want to run against four-term Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-Dennis) in the 2nd district, and two Democrats want to take on 23-term Rep. Christopher Smith (R-Manchester) in the 4th district, the most Republican in the state.