The New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association has endorsed incumbents in the most competitive legislative races, with support of the state’s largest law enforcement union going to Democrats in the 3rd and 11th districts and Republicans in the 21st district; no challengers won union backing.
In two split districts, the PBA is sticking with incumbents: Republican Michael Torrissi and Democrat Andrea Katz in the 8th, and Republican Sean Kean and Democrat Avi Schnall in the 30th.
“These endorsements are more than just names on a list,” the PBA stated in an announcement. “They represent a carefully considered strategy to protect the interests of law enforcement officers and their families across New Jersey.”
Just two incumbents didn’t get PBA endorsements: Balvir Singh in the 7th, and Al Abdelaziz in the 35th. Both are Democrats who won special election conventions this year in contests triggered by the election of a state legislator to Congress.
In the 32nd district, which includes Hoboken and part of Jersey City, the PBA only endorsed Democrat Ravi Bhalla, the mayor of Hoboken, and bypassed his running mate, Katie Brennan. Assemblywoman Jessica Ramirez lost the Democratic primary. Bhalla and two other Hudson County Democratic Assembly candidates, County Commissioner Jerry Walker in the 31st and businessman Larry Wainstein in the 33rd, are the only non-incumbents to win PBA endorsements.
The union is backing Democratic incumbents Heather Simmons and Dave Bailey in South Jersey’s 3rd, Luanne Peterpaul and Margie Donlon in Monmouth County’s 11th, Roy Freiman and Mitchelle Drulis in Central Jersey’s 16th, and Lisa Swain and Christopher Tully in the Bergen-based 38th. Endorsements went to four Republican lawmakers: Nancy Munoz and Michele Matsikoudis in the 21st and Aura Dunn and Christian Barranco in the 25th.
No endorsements were made for open seats in the 20th, 28th, and 35th districts.
“Every candidate endorsed has demonstrated a proven commitment to public safety, support for law enforcement, and an understanding of the issues that impact our profession every single day,” the PBA said. “Our strategy is simple: back candidates who will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with us in Trenton, ensure our voices are heard, and safeguard the benefits and protections that our members have earned.”
Democratic endorsements also went to: Cody Miller and Dan Hutchison, District 4; Bill Moen and Bill Spearman, District 5; Louis Greenwald and Melinda Kane, District 6; Carol Murphy, District 7; Wayne DeAngelo and Tennille McCoy, District 14; Verlina Reynolds-Jackson and Anthony Verrelli, District 15; Kevin Egan and Joseph Danielsen, District 17; Robert Karabinchak and Sterley Stanley, District 18; Craig Coughlin and Yvonne Lopez, District 19; Annette Quijano, District 20; James Kennedy and Linda Carter, District 22; Rosy Bagolie and Alixon Collazos-Gill, District 27; Cleopatra Tucker, District 28; Eliana Pintor Marin and Shanique Speight, District 29; William Sampson, District 31; Gabriel Rodriguez, District 33; Michael Venezia and Carmen Morales, District 34; Gary Schaer and Clinton Calabrese, District 36; and Shama Haider and Ellen Park, District 37.
Support for Republicans was awarded to: Brian Rumpf and Greg Myhre, District 9; Greg McGuckin and Paul Kanitra, District 10; Alex Sauickie and Rob Clifton, District 12; Gerry Scharfenberger and Vicky Flynn, District 13; John DiMaio and Erik Peterson, District 23; Dawn Fantasia and Mike Inganamort, District 24; Jay Webber and Brian Bergen, District 26; Auth and John Azzariti, District 39; and Chris DePhillips and Al Barlas, District 40.
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