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Posted OnJune 22, 2022 bySeth Levin

New Jersey State AFL-CIO Announces 2022 Endorsements For U.S. House and Labor Candidates for Elected Offices Throughout the State

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, June 22, 2022
CONTACT: Charles Wowkanech
President
(609) 989-8730

PRESS RELEASE

New Jersey State AFL-CIO Announces 2022 Endorsements

For U.S. House and Labor Candidates for Elected Offices Throughout the State

 

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – Today, the New Jersey State AFL-CIO gathered with over 300 delegates and guests from affiliated unions at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino for the labor organization’s 2022 Legislative/COPE Endorsement Conference. National AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and Governor Phil Murphy amped up the crowd, while renowned political analyst Charlie Cook provided his insight on the national political environment. In a democratic process, delegates voted on accepting congressional candidate endorsement recommendations from local union leadership, known as Central Labor Councils, as well as endorsements for union members who are running for local offices throughout the state.

Consideration for recommendation and endorsement is based on a candidate’s pro-labor record and their support for working family’s issues. For candidates, earning an endorsement from the body means being able to count on the state federation’s considerable political clout, recruiting union members for member-to-member walks and phonebanks, as well as providing digital and mail communications to encourage union members and their families to vote for labor-backed candidates.

Conference speakers also included Congressman Donald Norcross, Congressman Andy Kim, Assemblyman William Sampson, Perth Amboy Mayor Helmin Caba, Perth Amboy Councilwoman Rose Morales, Congressional candidate Robert Menendez (CD-8), members of UFCW Local 360 Cannabis Division, and Starbucks workers recently organized by Workers United.

“These mid-term elections could prove to be the most consequential in our history,” New Jersey State AFL-CIO President Charles Wowkanech said. “The working family values held by our endorsed candidates reflect the potential we have to strengthen our country and invest in New Jersey. We want a Congress that will continue to get things done for our state and pass pro-worker legislation, such as the PRO Act. We look forward to supporting our labor candidates and political partners as we rise up to fight for good jobs, a better standard of living for all workers, stronger voting rights, and to ensure the health and safety of all.”

“Our endorsed candidates will ensure our state federation’s continued preeminent role as the voice of working families in New Jersey,” said Secretary-Treasurer Laurel Brennan. “We Look forward to the progress that we will continue to achieve together after a victory in November.”

The conference also included the New Jersey State AFL-CIO’s 28th Annual Labor Awards Reception held the evening of Tuesday, June 21st. The reception honors outstanding leaders in government, business and labor, reinforcing the need for all New Jersey Stakeholders to come together in support of working families throughout our state. This year’s honorees were National AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and the Vice President of Labor Relations at Bimbo Bakeries USA, Phil Paturzo.

The list of endorsements for Congress is:

District 1
*Donald Norcross (D-01
District 5
*Josh Gottheimer (D-05)
District 9
*Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-09)
District 2
*Jeff Van Drew (R-02)
District 6
*Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-06)
District 10
*Donald M. Payne, Jr. (D-10)
District 3
*Andy Kim (D-03)
District 7
*Tom Malinowski (D-07)
District 11
*Mikie Sherrill (D-11)
District 4
*Chris Smith (R-04
District 8
Robert Menendez (D-08)
District 12
*Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-12)

*  Indicates Incumbent

The list of Labor Candidates is:

Name                                        Union                                Office Sought

Vince Sera*                              AFSCME 1210                Brigantine Mayor

Dolores Witko                       AFSCME 1199J              Closter Mayor

Hailey Cruz                              AFT 857                           Perth Amboy Council

Tony DePrince*                       AFT 4907                        Magnolia Council

Cynthia Simon                         AFT 2222/1796              Wayne Board of Education

 

John F. Capo*                          BAC 4                               Totowa Council

Jason Allen*                             CWA 1033                       Pemberton Committee

Taiwanda Terry-Wilson         CWA 1033                       Trenton Council

Mark Kruszczynski                 CWA 1036                        North Plainfield Board of Education

Karol Ruiz                                CWA 1037                        Dover Alderman

 

Tassie York*                              CWA 1037                        Neptune Committee

Cathleen Lewis                         CWA 1037                        Mercer County Commissioner

Jenna Figueroa Kettenburg   CWA 1038                       Trenton Council

Nelson Carney, Jr.                   CWA 1085                        Salem County Commissioner

Joseph Hiles*                           CWA 1085                        Woodstown Council

 

Charles Hassler                        IBEW 94                           Salem County Commissioner

Thomas Sullivan, Jr.*             IBEW 164                         Bergen County Commissioner

Bert Steinmann*                      IBEW 269                        Ewing Mayor

Ryan Doran*                             IBEW 351                         Cherry Hill Fire Commissioner

Donald Norcross*                    IBEW 351                         CD 1 U.S. House of Representatives

 

Mike Vizzard*                         IBEW 351                         Commercial Township Committee

Kyle Miller                               IBEW 351                         Woodbury Mayor

Kevin Egan*                             IBEW 456                         New Brunswick City Council

Michael Riordan*                   IBEW 827                         Brigantine Council

Thomas Lyon*                         IBT 676                             Delran Council

 

Pat Lepore*                              IBT 802                             Passaic County Commissioner

Donald Heverly                       Ironworkers 399              Williamstown Council

Walt Lenkowski                      Ironworkers 399               Lindenwald Council

Michael McGlynn*                  IUOE 68                           Fairfield Council

Nick Civitan*                           IUOE 825                         Frankford Council

 

Ed Kalinowski                          IUOE 825                            Deptford Board of Education

Victoria Pacheco                      IUOE District 1, JNESO   Keyport Mayor

Rob Lane, Jr.*                          IUPAT 694                          Neptune Committee

Ed White                                  LIUNA 172                            Runnemede Mayor

David Bander*                         SEIU 1199NJ                       Plainsboro Committee

 

Roshan White*                         UA 24                               Scotch Plains Council

Concetto Formica                     UBC 253                          Franklin Boro Council

Kevin Goodsir                          UBC 253                           West Milford Council

Ron Skirkanish                         UBC 254                           Manville Council

Joe Scaletti*                             UBC 254                            South Brunswick Board of Education

 

Dane Lamcken*                       UBC 255                           Estell Manor Council

Michael Porretta*                    UBC 255                           Folsom Council

Andrew Bulakowski                 UBC 255                          Cape May Commissioner

Matthew Cox*                          UBC 441                           Dennis Township Committee

Matt Kane                                 UFCW 152                       Corbin City Mayor

 

Nereyda Curiel*                       UFCW 360                      Haledon Council

 

OPEIU:153

*  Indicates Incumbent

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