About COPE

Every year, the affiliated unions of the New Jersey State AFL-CIO vote on which election candidates to endorse based on their voting records and stances on working family issues. Our state federation has a proud history of endorsing both Democratic and Republican candidates who support working families and the core values of the Labor Movement.

Working in partnership with the AFL-CIO Political Department, New Jersey’s Central Labor Councils, Building Trades Councils and affiliated local unions, our COPE program coordinates a statewide effort to educate union members about our endorsements and the benefits of voting for candidates who will put working families first.

COPE also manages the New Jersey State AFL-CIO Labor Candidates Program. Launched in 1997, the Labor Candidates Program recruits, trains and mentors union members running for public office. To date, the program has guided 1,138 election victories for union members. Our Labor Candidates hold offices at nearly every level of federal, state, county and local government — from the House of Representatives to the state Senate and Assembly to County Commissioner, Town Council and School Board.