NJEA backs Dems in LD-3, stays out of other South Jersey races for now

In two of the state’s most competitive legislative contests, the New Jersey Education Association has endorsed Democratic candidates for the State Senate and Assembly in the 3rd, but isn’t taking sides in the next-door 4th.

The state’s largest public employee union is backing former Assembly Appropriations Committee Chairman John Burzichelli’s bid to unseat State Sen. Ed Durr (R-Logan) in District 3, along with his running mates, Gloucester County Commissioner Heather Simmons (D-Glassboro) and Dave Bailey, Jr., a non-profit executive from Woodstown.

Simmons and Bailey face Assemblywoman Bethanne McCarthy Patrick (R-Mannington) and Hopewell Township Committeeman Tom Tedesco.

But in the 4th, where Assemblyman Paul Moriarty (D-Washington Township) faces former Washington Township Councilman Christopher Del Borrello for an open Democratic Senate seat in a district that has become more Republican, no endorsements were made.  One of the GOP Assembly candidates, Amanda Esposito, is a public school teacher and NJEA member.

The teacher’s union also made no endorsements in the 2nd district where Democrat Alphonso Harrell, a veteran and kindergarten teacher, is running for the Assembly against incumbents Don Guardian (D-Atlantic City) and Claire Swift (R-Margate).

No endorsements were made in District 8, where Hammonton Education Association President Anthony Angelozzi is challenging Republican Assemblyman Michael Torrissi, Jr. (R-Hammonton) and Brandon Umba (R-Medford).

The NJEA is also backing Democrats in the 39th district, where former Westwood Councilwoman Jodi Murphy is challenging State Sen. Holly Schepisi (R-River Vale).  Against Assemblyman Bob Auth (R-Old Tappan) and Saddle River Councilman John Azzariti, the union is supporting Democrats John Vitale and Damon Englese.

But in the 40th district, endorsements went to two Republican incumbents, State Sen. Kristin Corrado (R-Totowa) and Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips (R-Wyckoff), and their running mate, Essex County GOP Chairman Al Barlas.

NJEA support for the Republican slate in District 40 follows endorsements of the Democratic candidates by the AFL-CIO.  Corrado’s opponent, Jennifer Ehrentraut, is a Hawthorne school board member; Assembly candidate Giovanna Irizarry, is an NJEA member and the director of Special Education for the Woodland Park school district.

Assemblyman Erik Simonsen (R-Lower), an NJEA member, was the union’s lone endorsement in the 1st district.

The teacher’s union has previously endorsed Democratic slates in the 11th, 16th, and 38th districts.  No endorsements were made in the 14th district.

In total, the NJEA s backing 54 Democrats and seven Republicans.  The union said it will consider more endorsements this summer.

No endorsements went to Democratic incumbents in the 5th, 6th, 7th, 15th, 28th, and 29th.

Three other Republicans were endorsed by the NJEA: Assemblymembers Vicki Flynn (R-Holmdel), a former school board president; Robert Clifton (R-Matawan); and Alex Sauickie (R-Jackson).

After staying clear of the Democratic primary, the NJEA is backing State Sen. Richard Codey (D-Roseland) and Assemblyman John McKeon (D-West Orange) for re-election, along with Assembly candidate Alixon Collazos-Gill.

“We are proud that our members have endorsed a bipartisan group of pro-public education candidates for this November’s election. These candidates have taken the time to meet with our members and discuss the issues that matter most to educators and New Jersey families,” said NJEA President Sean M. Spiller, Vice President Steve Beatty and Secretary-Treasurer, Petal Robertson.  “They demonstrated that they respect the role educators play and we believe they will work with us to strengthen our profession, support our students and keep our schools the best in the nation.”

The three NJEA officials said that “an endorsement is just the first step.”

“Our members are also committed to supporting these endorsed advocates of public education by making phone calls, knocking on doors, speaking to friends and colleagues and, most importantly, by voting for them,” stated Spiller, Beatty, and Robinson.  “We are determined to once again elect a pro-public education majority in the New Jersey Legislature so we can continue to progress we are making and address the challenges we face.”