National public employees union backs Sherrill for governor

The National Association of Government Employees (NAGE), an organization affiliated with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), has endorsed Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) for the Democratic nomination for governor of New Jersey.

“The values that matter to the NJFMBA are the same values that matter to our members at NAGE, no matter what state they live in. Mikie Sherrill, in her actions as a member of the House of Representatives, as a prosecutor, and as a military veteran, also reflect those values: that all working families should have opportunities for safe workplaces, fair wages, and health and retirement benefits that protect them and their loved ones,” said David J. Holway, the NAGE president.  “The policies that Sherrill will advance and adopt in New Jersey will have an impact far beyond the state.”

The endorsement was engineered by Eddie Donnelly, the president of the New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association and a member of the NAGE executive board.

“In the last year of a labor-friendly Governor’s Administration, it is vitally important for us to work to elect the next candidate who most shares those values,” Donnelly said. “Mikie Sherrill has shown a steadfast commitment to the men and women of the NJFMBA, as well as all public safety workers, and the entirety of New Jersey’s vast and diverse population. This is why we endorsed her to be the next Governor of New Jersey.”

The endorsement was unanimous after a national executive board vote on Tuesday, demonstrating Donnelly’s and the NJFMBA’s commitment to electing Sherrill to replace term-limited Gov. Phil Murphy in 2025.

“Our fellow union members in the NJFMBA were the first public safety union to endorse Mikie Sherrill for Governor because they know that she has what it takes to lead New Jersey in a way that respects and uplifts the working families of their communities,” said Holway.  “We are so proud that NAGE has doubled down on the NJFMBA’s endorsement of Mikie Sherrill nationally.”

The trade organization represents public and private sector employees in 43 states at the federal, state, county, and municipal levels, including first responders and healthcare workers.   The endorsement could open the door to additional donors for Sherrill in a state that matches every $1 raised with an additional $2.