Four Teamsters unions endorse Fulop for governor

In his pursuit of support for his 2025 gubernatorial campaign, Democrat Steve Fulop today added endorsements from four local unions affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

Teamsters Local 641, Teamsters Local 2906, Teamsters Local 3082, and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees become part of the second round of labor endorsements for Fulop – he won the backing of the  Amalgamated Transit Workers Union International and New Jersey Council last month – is the latest indication that the three-term Jersey City mayor plans to make transportation and mobility issues a priority in his bid for the Democratic nomination.

“The International Brotherhood of Teamsters is America’s largest and most diverse union, and having the support of these hardworking men and women is a testament to our campaign’s commitment to putting the interests of working families front and center,” Fulop said.  “I’m so proud to see our coalition continue to build and more and more impactful leaders join our campaign because they believe in our vision of moving New Jersey forward.”

Local 641 represents trucking, warehousing, 911 dispatching, parking lot attending, and refinery workers; Local 296 members are New Jersey Transit maintenance workers; Local 3082 represents Amtrak construction and electrical system workers; and members of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees are Amtrak maintenance workers.

Collectively the four Teamsters locals represent roughly 6,000 active and retired union members.   Fulop had won Teamsters endorsements in his 2021 re-election campaign in Jersey City.

“Teamsters know how important it is to have strong partners in elected office, and with his long record as a public servant and consistent support for working families there is no one we can count on more as our next Governor than Steve Fulop,” said Local 641 President Jim Kilkenny.

Local 2906 Vice Chairman Frank Parell said that the promise Fulop has “shown for funding public transportation and especially for identifying a permanent recurring revenue source for NJ Transit makes it clear that he’s the right choice to lead New Jersey forward as our next Governor.”

“New Jersey’s economy depends on efficiently moving people and goods to where they need to go, and no one understands that better than Mayor Fulop who has shown a true commitment to both economic development and increasing pay for middle-class workers, said Local 3082 General Chairperson Anthony Sessa.

Thomas Wohanka, the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees vice chairman, said that Fulop “understands that investing in public transportation is the best way to support our economy and create more opportunities for the middle class, and the members of our union are excited to stand strong with him and help him all the way to Trenton.”

Fulop is the only announced gubernatorial candidate, allowing him to score early endorsements when other potential candidates cannot.

Last week, Fulop was endorsed by Warren County Democratic Chairman Tom Palmieri.  He’s already received the backing of nine New Jersey mayors and the Hudson County Democratic organization line.

Gov. Phil Murphy is term-limited.