The Communication Workers of America (CWA), a progressive force in New Jersey politics, endorsed 16 Democratic state legislative candidates today, including five candidates who face challengers in next week’s primary election.
In the 27th legislative district, the CWA is backing Assemblyman John McKeon (D-West Orange) and Alixon Collazos-Gill, Essex Democrats’ preferred Assembly candidates, against two opponents. The union did not take sides in the district’s Senate contest, however, where State Sen./former Gov. Richard Codey (D-Roseland) has the party line against fellow State Sen. Nia Gill (D-Montclair) in a showdown caused by redistricting.
The CWA is also supporting a trio of incumbents – State Sen. Joe Cryan (D-Union), Assemblyman Reginald Atkins (D-Roselle), and Assemblywoman Annette Quijano (D-Elizabeth) – in the 20th district against a rival slate affiliated with former Assemblyman Jamel Holley (D-Roselle), who is running off-the-line for mayor of Roselle this year.
“Here in New Jersey, CWA is proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with this incredible group of pro-union candidates,” CWA New Jersey state director Fran Ehret said in a statement. “The incumbents have shown they have our backs through the years. And the challengers share those same values – rooted in economic and social justice – that matter to CWA members.”
Another 11 Democrats running in competitive legislative districts received the support of the union, though none face any primary opposition next Tuesday. Every Democratic candidate in the 11th, 14th, 16th, and 38th districts now has the union’s endorsement, with one exception: Tennille McCoy, who is running for an open Assembly seat in the 14th district.
The CWA had previously announced three other endorsements this cycle: State Sen. Joe Vitale (D-Woodbridge) for re-election in the 19th district, Craig Guy for Hudson County Executive, and Assemblyman Dan Benson (D-Hamilton) for Mercer County Executive.
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May 18, 2023 -
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