AFL-CIO backs mostly incumbents from both parties

The New Jersey AFL-CIO has endorsed a number of incumbent members of the State Assembly from both parties, including most of the competitive districts, but took a pass on the 21st and moved against incumbents in the 39th.

The AFL-CIO made no endorsements in the swing 21st district, where Republican Assemblywomen Nancy Munoz (R-Summit) and Michele Matsikoudis (R-New Providence) are seeking re-election.  In the 39th, union support went to former Dumont Mayor Andrew LaBruno and former Woodcliff Lake Council President Donna Abene, who are challenging Republican Assemblymen Bob Auth (R-Old Tappan) and John Azzariti (R-Saddle River).

In the hugely competitive 8th district, the AFL-CIO endorsement went to one incumbent from each party: Republican Michael Torrissi (R-Hammonton) and Democrat Andrea Katz (D-Chesterfield).

The legislative roster follows the endorsement of Democrat Mikie Sherrill for governor, which was announced on Tuesday.

“At a time when working people and working families are under attack each and every day by the Trump administration, it is more important than ever to fight back — not just with our voices and our values, but with real power at the ballot box,” said New Jersey AFL-CIO President Charles Wowkanech. “Our pro-labor candidates — including union members and longtime allies — will help build a New Jersey that truly puts working families first.”

Democratic incumbents captured labor backing in two swing districts: Heather Simmons (D-Glassboro) and Dave Bailey, Jr. (D-Woodstown) in the 3rd, and Assemblywomen Luanne Peterpaul (D-Long Branch) and Margie Donlon (D-Ocean Township) in the swing 11th.

In the 30th, the AFL-CIO endorsed Assemblyman Avi Schnall (D-Lakewood), but they passed over Assemblyman Sean Kean (R-Wall) for the second seat.

One of the most conservative members of the legislature, Assembly Minority Whip Brian Bergen (R-Denville), was endorsed by the AFL-CIO, but his staunchly conservative running mate, Assemblyman Jay Webber (R-Morris Plains), was not.

Newark West Ward Democratic Municipal Chairman Chigozie Onyema, who defeated Assemblywoman Garnet Hall (D-Maplewood) in the 28th district primary, received the union endorsement.

In the 20th, Annette Quijano (D-Elizabeth) and Eduardo Rodriguez, who won a tight Democratic primary in the 20th, advance to the general election with AFL-CIO backing.

Lisa Bennett, a Democrat, was the sole endorsement in the 9th district; she faces Republican Assemblyman Greg Myhre (R-Stafford) and Brian Rumpf (R-Little Egg Harbor). No endorsements were made in the 10th, 12th, 13th, and 23rd districts; one of the incumbents in District 23 is Assembly Minority Leader John DiMaio (R-Hackettstown).

In Hudson County, endorsements went to Assemblyman William Sampson (D-Bayonne) and Hudson County Commissioner Jerry Walker in the 31st; Katie Brennan and Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla in the 32nd; and Gabriel Rodriguez (D-West New York) and North Bergen businessman Larry Wainstein in the 33rd.      In the 35th, AFL-CIO support went to State Sen. Benjie Wimberly (D-Paterson), Assemblyman Al Abdelaziz (D-Paterson), and Assembly candidate Kenyatta Stewart, the Newark corporation counsel.

“Labor candidates don’t just talk the talk — they live it,” said Laurel Brennan, Secretary-Treasurer of the New Jersey State AFL-CIO. “When a union member is elected to public office, they bring with them the values of solidarity, fairness, and economic justice. These candidates are our neighbors, our co-workers, and our leaders — and we are proud to stand with them every step of the way.”

Other AFL-CIO endorsements of incumbents: Antwan McClellan (R-Ocean City) and Erik Simonsen (R-Lower) in the 1st; Don Guardian (R-Atlantic City) and Claire Swift (R-Margate) in the 2nd; Dan Hutchinson (D-Gloucester Township) and Cody Miller (D-Monroe) in the 4th; William Moen Jr. (D-Bellmawr) and William Spearman (D-Camden) in the 5th; Louis Greenwald (D-Voorhees) and Melinda Kane (D-Cherry Hill) in the 6th; Carol Murphy (D-Mount Laurel) and Balvir Singh (D-Burlington) in the 7th;  Wayne DeAngelo (D-Hamilton)+ and Tennille McCoy (D-Plainsboro) in the 14th; Anthony Verrelli (D-Trenton) and Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D-Trenton) in the 15th; Mitchelle Drulis (D-Hillsborough) and Roy Freiman (D-Hillsborough) in the 16th; Kevin Egan (D-New Brunswick) and Joseph Danielsen (D-Franklin) in the 17th; Robert Karabinchak (D-Edison) and Sterley Stanley (D-East Brunswick) in the 18th; Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-Woodbridge) and Yvonne Lopez (D-Perth Amboy) in the 19th; Linda Carter (D-Plainfield) and James Kennedy (D-Rahway) in the 22nd; Dawn Fantasia (R-Franklin) and Michael Inganamort (R-Chester) in the 24th; Christian Barranco (R-Jefferson) and Aura Dunn (R-Mendham) in the 25th; Rosy Bagolie (D-Livingston) and Alixon Collazos-Gill (D-Montclair) in the 27th; Cleopatra Tucker (D-Newark) in the 28th; Eliana Pintor Marin (D-Newark) and Shanique Speight (D-Newark) in the 29th;  Carmen Morales (D-Belleville) and Michael Venezia (D-Bloomfield) in the 34th; Clinton Calabrese (D-Cliffside Park) and Gary Schaer (D-Passaic) in the 36th; Shama Haider (D-Tenafly) and Ellen Park (D-Englewood Cliffs) in the 37th; Lisa Swain (D-Fair Lawn) and Chris Tully (D-Bergenfield) in the 38th;  and Christopher DePhillips (R-Wyckoff) and Al Barlas (R-Cedar Grove) in the 40th.