Brian Varela’s campaign for the 7th congressional district picked up its first union endorsement today: 32BJ SEIU, a major property services union that frequently teams up with progressive Democrats around the state.
32BJ SEIU was, notably, among the unions that supported now-Rep. Analilia Mejia (D-Glen Ridge) in this year’s special Democratic primary for the 11th district; Mejia’s alliance with a coalition of labor unions and progressive organizations helped her win the Democratic primary in an upset. Some of Mejia’s other top backers, like Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Make the Road Action NJ, have also endorsed Varela.
Union endorsements have generally been few and far between thus far in the 7th district, where four Democrats are competing for the right to challenge Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-Westfield). Rebecca Bennett, who has the bulk of the district’s official party support, has been endorsed by the Communications Workers of America District 1 (another Mejia backer) and the New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association.
Also on 32BJ SEIU’s endorsement list today are five Hudson County Commissioner candidates, two Passaic County Commissioner candidates, and six local candidates in Newark – among them Baraka, who is running for a fourth term as mayor this year.
In Passaic County, 32BJ SEIU is supporting Commissioner Orlando Cruz (D-Paterson) and Ali Aljarrah, a top CAIR-NJ official running for retiring Commissioner Bruce James (D-Clifton)’s seat. That puts the union at loggerheads with the Passaic County Democratic Organization, which is instead supporting Clifton Democratic Club president Nick Veliky for the open seat.
“Our members are cleaners, security officers, airport workers, and essential service workers who keep New Jersey running every single day,” 32BJ SEIU New Jersey state director Ana Maria Hill said in a statement. “They deserve leaders who understand their realities and are ready to fight for good jobs, affordable housing, and dignity on the job. These candidates have shown they are prepared to stand with working people and deliver real results.”
Earlier this year, 32BJ SEIU endorsed Reps. Donald Norcross (D-Camden), Herb Conaway (D-Delran), Frank Pallone (D-Long Branch), Rob Menendez (D-Jersey City), Nellie Pou (D-North Haledon), and LaMonica McIver (D-Newark) for re-election.