Operating Engineers endorse Andy Kim for Senate, but skip Norcross, Sherrill

The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825, one of the state’s most politically potent labor unions, has endorsed Democrat Andy Kim for U.S. Senate but is passing on two other Democratic House members: Donald Norcross (D-Camden) and Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair).

Staying out of the Norcross race appears related to a feud between Local 825 and a key Norcross political ally, New Jersey Building & Construction Trades Council President Bill Mullen. Last year, Mullen worked with South Jersey Democrats to sign up vote-by-mail voters to deny Republican Latham Tiver a State Senate seat in the 8th district.  Tiver is a Local 825 business agent, and in protest, his union withdrew from Mullen’s group.

Local 825 is backing Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Wyckoff) for re-election to a fifth term in New Jersey’s 5th district this year — and for the Democratic nomination for governor in 2025, if he runs.  Sherrill is also a likely gubernatorial candidate, and Local 825 has decided not to endorse in her re-election bid in the 11th district.

In the state’s most competitive House race, the 7th district, Local 825 announced in July that they would back freshman Republican Rep. Thomas Kean, Jr. (R-Westfield) against Democrat Sue Altman.

The Operating Engineers local, which frequently backs Republican allies, is supporting Reps. Jeff Van Drew (R-Dennis) and Christopher Smith (R-Hamilton). Endorsements from Local 825 also went to four Democratic incumbents: Reps. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-Long Branch), Rob Menendez (D-Jersey City), LaMonica McIver (D-Newark), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Ewing).

In races for two open House seats, the Operating Engineers Local 825 endorsed Assemblyman Herb Conaway, Jr. (D-Delran) in the 3rd district and State Sen. Nellie Pou (D-North Haledon) in the 9th.  Both seats were won by Democrats two years ago.

“Every year, election results are consequential to our members. Who we send to make policy in federal, state, county, and local government offices affects Operating Engineer work, wages, and working conditions,” said Greg Lalevee, the union’s business manager.  “These recommended candidates have shown commitments to Operating Engineer values and we offer them our endorsement this November.”

The union also supports several candidates for county and municipal office, including Democrat Don Heverly, a Monroe councilman and a district representative for the International Association of Iron Workers, in his bid for Gloucester County Commissioner.  Heverly is challenging two Republican incumbents.

In Passaic County, Local 825 endorsed the lone Republican county commissioner, Nicolino Gallo, but no one else, for the three seats up this year.  Incumbent Shanel Robinson is the only candidate to be endorsed in a race for two Somerset county commissioner seats.

Elizabeth Mayor Christian Bollwage received an endorsement from the union in his bid for a ninth four-year term to lead New Jersey’s third-largest city.

Local 825 endorsements is backing three Republicans for Atlantic County Commissioner: incumbents Maureen Kern and James Bertino, and Michale Ruffu, a former assistant Atlantic County Prosecutor, for an open at-large seat.

Support also went to ten other Republican incumbent county commissioners: Leonard Desiderio in Cape May; Sue Kiley in Monmouth; Susan Soloway and Jeff Kuhl in Hunterdon; Deborah Smith, John Krickus, and Stephen Shaw in Morris; Chris Carney, a Local 825 member, and Alan Henderson in Sussex; and James Kern III in Warren. The union is backing two GOP candidates for open county commissioner seats in Ocean County: Manchester Mayor Robert Arace and Berkeley Township school board member Jennifer Bacchione.

The Operating Engineers are also backing Democrats in Essex County — Register of Deeds and Mortgages Juian Rivera, Jr. and Amir Jones for Sheriff – in Bergen County – incumbent County Commissioners Tracy Zur and Steve Tanelli, and Sheriff Anthony Cureton – in Hudson County — Surrogate Tilo Rivas – and in Middlesex – incumbent County Commissioners Ronald Rios and Shanti Nara.

In municipal races, Local 825 has endorsed Republicans in Absecon, Hainesport, Mansfield, Sayreville, and Sparta, and Democrats in East Brunswick, Franklin Township (Gloucester County), Carteret, Perth Amboy, and Piscataway.