Another labor union endorses Fulop for Governor

Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, who is making transportation issues a cornerstone of his campaign for the 2025 Democratic gubernatorial nomination, has picked up another union endorsement: SMART-TD Local 60, which represents more than 1,600 active and retired New Jersey Transit conductors and assistant conductors.

“Mayor Fulop has shown throughout this campaign that he cares deeply about public transit and will make the investments necessary to not just improve our transportation systems, but to create more union jobs and grow New Jersey’s economy for the middle class,” said SMART-TD Local 60 General Chairman Jerome Johnson.  “On behalf of our members, I’m proud to join the Fulop campaign, and we will work hard to ensure that he is successful and is elected as our next governor.”

Fulop, the only announced candidate to succeed term-limited Gov. Phil Murphy, has already racked up a number of transportation-connected union endorsements, including the Amalgamated Transit Union International, the Amalgamated Transit Union NJ State Council, the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees, and three Teamsters locals.

Since entering the race in April, Fulop has won endorsements from Democratic mayors in Atlantic City, Chatham, Clinton, Garwood, High Bridge, Hillside, Lambertville, Morristown, South Orange, Summit,  Trenton, and Westfield, Democratic county chairmen in Hudson and Warren counties, and the Hospital & Health Care Employees District 1199.

Johnson has led the union since 2013.

“SMART-LD Local 60 members are charged with making NJ TRANSIT trains work for commuters and residents every day, and the fact that they believe in our campaign and our vision for public transportation in New Jersey speaks volumes,” Fulop stated. “I’m thankful to all of the hardworking men and women who make up this union, and I look forward to working closely with them to invest in NJ TRANSIT and deliver the improvements that both riders and employees deserve.”

The union ratified a new contract this summer and is not one of the unions presently negotiating with the state.   Local 60 is part of the United Transportation Union (UTU).

Possible Democratic gubernatorial candidates include: Reps. Josh Gottheimer and Mike Sherrill; Senate President Nicholas Scutari; Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin; Newark Mayor Ras Baraka; Montclair Mayor Sean Spiller, the president of the New Jersey Education Association; former Senate President Steve Sweeney; Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee Chairman Paul Sarlo; and former Deputy U.S. Secretary of Transportation Jim Johnson.