New Jersey
NJ governor election: Who is winning the labor union endorsements?
Watch Mikie Sherrill get Democratic primary win in NJ governor race
Democratic candidate Mikie Sherrill accepts the primary nod in the gubernatorial race at Westin Governor Morris, Morristown, N.J., June 10, 2025.
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.
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.
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.”
RWDSU represents 15,000 workers in grocery, retail, warehousing, health care, manufacturing, transport, public service sectors and other industries.
SEIU
On June 25, the SEIU New Jersey State Council endorsed Sherrill.
“New Jersey’s working families deserve a Governor who will champion justice, opportunity, and the dignity of every person,” President Megan Chambers said. “In Mikie Sherrill, we see a leader with a clear vision for protecting our civil liberties, defending our democracy, and ensuring immigrant communities are treated with humanity and respect.
The council is composed of unions representing service employees, including healthdare, warehouse, laundry, and school cafeteria.
Council of Machinists
On June 25, the New Jersey State Council of Machinists, AFL-CIO endorsed Sherrill.
“The New Jersey State Council of Machinists is a diverse labor union representing over 20,000 New Jerseyans, but we have one mission: to support skilled laborers and make sure working families are being paid and treated fairly,” President Cristino Vilorio said. “We need a governor who will champion that mission, which is why we are so excited to support Mikie Sherrill.”
The council represents more than 20,000 state residents and is part of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, AFL-CIO.
32B SEIU
On June 27, 32BJ SEIU endorsed Sherrill.
“Mikie co‑sponsored the PRO Act to strengthen workers’ rights and fought to raise the federal minimum wage — real, tangible actions that prove she understands the struggles working families face,” President Ana Maria Hill said. “She doesn’t just talk about supporting unions—she fights for them. We need leadership that will keep New Jersey moving forward, and that’s exactly what Mikie Sherrill offers.”
The union represents about 15,000 property service workers in areas such as janitorial, security, airport, and school custodial in New Jersey.
Joe Smith is a N.E. Philly native transplanted to South Jersey 36 years ago, keeping an eye now on government in South Jersey. He is a former editor and current senior staff writer for The Daily Journal in Vineland, Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, and the Burlington County Times.
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New Jersey
7 On Your Side helps man recover his stolen iPhone from safe pickup site
JAMESBURG, New Jersey (WABC) — When it comes to home deliveries, having your order stolen right off your doorstep can be infuriating, so one New Jersey man did it right.
Peter Tsistinas had his brand-new cell phone delivered to a so-called safe pickup site, designated by the seller, where it was stolen.
Delivery services can drop off your item at any number of safe locations, where you can later pick up your order. But as exclusive video obtained by 7 On Your Side shows, porch pirates are upping their game.
Captured on a security camera, a man calmly walks into the CVS store, asks for a delivery, shows an ID, signs for it, and walks off with a brand-new iPhone. There’s just one problem.
“They saw somebody that was not me getting my package,” said Tsistinas when asked what the police were seeing on the tape.
The real Peter, a popular DJ for hire, was dumbfounded. He chose the safe drop to avoid being porch pirated, but the thief still got the goods.
“Yeah, I actually paid extra for it. It wasn’t much. It was $7.99,” Tsistinas said.
Tsistinas got a notification from UPS that the phone was dropped off at 12:39 p.m., less than two hours later, he got a notice it was picked up.
But Tsistinas didn’t pick it up. It was the unknown suspect who went into the CVS, walking off with the brand-new iPhone for Peter’s son.
Tsistinas reported the crime to the police and alerted UPS, CVS and T-Mobile, which shipped the smartphone. The response to the DJ was what he called, “crickets.”
“I was watching, you know ABC News, and I saw 7 On Your Side and I’m like, ‘you know, you’re the first thing I thought of,’” Tsistinas said
7 On Your Side reached out to both CVS and the cell phone provider.
Within a week, T-Mobile responded, saying, “Our care team is working with Mr. Tsistinas directly to get him the device he ordered from us, and we’re working closely with CVS and our other partners to further protect our customers’ orders from theft. Our dedicated fraud, crime and logistics teams collaborate with vendors to address these issues and improve delivery processes.”
CVS also sent 7 On Your Side an official statement, saying, “We’ve connected with the customer and apologized for his experience. T-Mobile is now working directly with Mr. Tsistinas to help resolve the matter. Anyone picking up a UPS package at CVS Pharmacy must present identification matching the person and name on the package to be released. We’re working with the store team to help prevent similar situations from occurring in the future.”
After weeks of back and forth with the companies, Tsistinas could finally focus on his beats again.
“I paid almost $500 in deposit, and then it was going to be like so much per month. So, they just squashed all that,” Tsistinas said.
Referencing the Rolling Stones, he says he not only got his satisfaction, but also his money back.
“Nina, you’re the best!” Peter said.
Police are still looking for the suspect in the video and say he’s part of a crime ring. If you recognize him, call Jamesburg police in New Jersey.
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New Jersey
Police conclude investigation at Walmart in Cherry Hill, officials say
A police investigation took place at a Walmart in Cherry Hill, New Jersey on Wednesday morning and shoppers may have noticed an increased presence of officers at the shopping center, officials said.
On social media, the Cherry Hill Police Department alerted residents that an investigation was underway in a Walmart, located along Route 38 in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, at about 9 a.m. on Wednesday.
However, officials did not immediately detail the cause of this increased police presence, other than saying an investigation was underway and “the scene has been secured.”
Police were asking people to avoid the area, if possible, to allow officers the ability to complete this investigation.
However, as of about 10 a.m., police said on social media that the incident was resolved and there was no threat to the public.
OFFICIAL UPDATE: INCIDENT RESOLVED
The police activity at Walmart (500 Route 38) has been resolved without incident. There is no threat to the public.
Thank you to residents and motorists for their patience and cooperation while officers worked in the area. #CherryHillPD pic.twitter.com/668By2Ttht
— Cherry Hill Police Department (@CherryHillPD) July 8, 2026
As of about 10:15 a.m., police had not provided further information on the nature of this investigation, nor did they say if anyone was arrested through the course of this incident.
NBC10 is working to learn more.
This is a breaking news story. It will be updated as new information becomes available.
New Jersey
Water rescue in the ocean off Wildwood, New Jersey caught on video
WILDWOOD, N.J. (WPVI) — Multiple people were rescued from the ocean off Wildwood, New Jersey, over the weekend, and the rescue was caught on video.
It all happened around 7:45 p.m. Sunday on the beach near Schellenger Avenue.
In total, officials say nine people were saved.
The Wildwood Beach Patrol, which was among the responding agencies, posted video of the rescue on Facebook.
A woman who witnessed it all said she was struck by the act of bravery she witnessed.
“What I just experienced was just the most beautiful thing ever. These people just came out of nowhere – I’m talking about like Baywatch – out of nowhere, come out there and save those people in that water. It was so beautiful,” she said.
Officials are reminding beachgoers to only swim when lifeguards are present.
Copyright © 2026 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.
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