The Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) is prepared to endorse Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) for Governor if she runs next year, a move that assures the three-term congresswoman money and boots on the ground if she enters the 2025 Democratic primary.
“We feel that Mikie Sherrill has separated herself from the other candidates with her experience, solutions-driven approach, and understanding of the issues affecting LIUNA members and their families,” said Mike Hellstrom, the vice president and eastern regional manager of LIUNA. “Our goal is to encourage her to run for governor in 2025 and if and when she does, we will be ready to put the full weight of the Laborers Union behind her.”
LIUNA is one of the state’s most politically potent labor unions – it possesses one of the largest PACs in the building trades union sector — and represents a major boost to Sherrill’s likely campaign. It also represents a shot at former Senate President Steve Sweeney, a building trades union leader and an announced gubernatorial candidate.
This is also the first major show of support for Sherrill, who has spent the last year crisscrossing New Jersey, building a possible statewide organization.
Sherrill, a former Navy helicopter pilot and Assistant U.S. Attorney, is on the ballot for re-election this year – she’s a strong favorite to win a fourth term against Republican Joseph Belnome in New Jersey’s 11th district – but can’t officially join the race until her federal campaign is over.
Hellstrom wrote an Op-Ed for the New Jersey Globe outlining his case for a Sherrill governorship.