• Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill has received endorsements from several New Jersey labor unions, including AFSCME, AFL-CIO, JNESO and RWDSU.
• Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli has been endorsed by the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825 and Local 285.
• Local 825’s endorsement of Ciattarelli is a change, as they previously supported Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy against Ciattarelli.

New Jersey labor unions have started announcing their choices in the November election for governor.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, nearly all favor the Democrat in the race, U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-NJ. Democrats have traditionally garnered more union support than Republicans.

But an anomaly has emerged since the first such announcement June 11, the day after the primary: The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825 declared for Republican Jack Ciattarelli.

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It’s an unusual, but not unprecedented, move for Local 825 for pick a Republican for the job. The union supported outgoing Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy in his two races, including a close one in 2021 against Ciattarelli.

These are the major union endorsements thus far.

AFSCME endorsement

On June 11, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees New Jersey Council 63 endorsed Sherrill.

“Mikie Sherrill has a deep respect for public service and a strong track record of standing with working people,” Executive Director Steve Tully said. “She understands the critical role that AFSCME members play in keeping our communities running, from public health and public safety to essential municipal and state services, and she knows that work is under attack.

AFL-CIO

On June 17, the New Jersey State American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations endorsed Sherrill.

“She understands the dignity of work, the importance of strong unions, and the role that labor plays in building a fair economy,” President Charles Wowkanech said. “As our next Governor, she’ll fight for quality and accessible health care for every family, for great public schools for every kid, and to make New Jersey more affordable for everyone.”

The state AFL-CIO has more than 1,000 affiliated local unions.

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JNESO

On June 17, the Jersey Nurses Economic Security Organization District Council 1, IUOE-AFL-CIO endorsed Sherrill.

“Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill knows how to keep people and our communities safe,” said Elfrieda Johnson, president of the JNESO Board of Directors. “She understands the need to protect health care workers and to ensure that affordable care is available to all New Jersey residents, especially our most vulnerable populations. She is committed to nurses and health care workers having the resources needed to protect their patients, and to continue providing the best quality care to keep patients healthy and safe.” 

Council 1 represents approximately 5,000 nurses, technologists, dieticians, social workers, case managers, and respiratory therapists at 19 facilities in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Local 285

On June 19, the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 285 endorsed Ciattarelli.

“We face an energy crisis, an affordability crisis, and a crisis of common sense,” Business Manager Greg Lalevee said. “The solutions are basic but may not be political popular. We need a governor that will tackle our challenges and not cave to the fringe political voices. Jack Ciattarelli understands New Jersey and what needs to be done to fix our great state.” 

Local 825, based in Springfield, has more than 8,000 members in New Jersey and in Rockland, Orange, Ulster, Sullivan, and Delaware counties in New York. 

RWDSU

On June 23, the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union endorsed Sherrill.

“Mikie Sherrill is the kind of principled leader working people need in New Jersey,” President Stuart Applebaum said. “From fighting for union rights in Congress to supporting critical investments in public services, she’s demonstrated that she understands both the dignity of work and the needs of working families. She’s shown up for our members — not just with words, but with action — and we know she’ll continue to stand up for workers as governor.”