Three of the most politically potent building trades unions in the state are headed into different campaigns in next year’s Democratic gubernatorial primary after the head of the powerful International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825 announced that he wants Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Wyckoff) to run.

The Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters announced its endorsement of former Senate President Steve Sweeney the same day he entered the race last December, and the regional leader of the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) announced last month that his union would support Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) if she runs.

In what could be a large field of candidates to succeed term-limited Gov. Phil Murphy, labor unions – part of the core vote in Democratic primaries – are charting their own paths.  Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop has been endorsed by the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), Teamsters, AFSCME, and other transit-related locals.    Sean Spiller, the sitting president of the New Jersey Education President — the state’s largest public employee union – is also running for governor.

Greg Lalevee, the Local 825 business manager, told the New Jersey Globe that his union believes “Gottheimer would be the strongest Democratic primary candidate for 2025 and urge that he run.”

“These politically divisive times call for moderation and Josh is a proven leader that brings people together to deliver results. Operating Engineers, union workers, and their families benefit every day from the bi-partisan infrastructure legislation Congressman Gottheimer helped over the line,” Lalevee said.  “This is the type of leadership New Jersey should look for when deciding who should represent them in 2025.”

Lalevee’s support of Gottheimer was first reported by POLITICO.

Sweeney, who has been a union ironworker since he was in his early 20s, is the leader of the ironworkers’ Philadelphia and Vicinity District Council, and is also the general vice president of the international union.

“As a legislator in Trenton, there was not a more tireless legislator advocating on behalf of workers than Steve Sweeney. He expanded Project Labor Agreements and Prevailing Wage, he created programs that rebuilt cities, he led the effort to replenish the State’s Transportation Trust Fund, championed the effort to put $1 billion into college capital projects,” the Sweeney campaign said in a statement.  “He also expanded New Jerseys push into renewable energies and advocated for the Environmental Justice law. He was the glue that put building, the environment, and social justice together.”

Local 825 endorsed Murphy in 2021.  It’s not immediately clear if Lalevee’s decision to back Gottheimer is just for the primary or – if Gottheimer is the nominee – the general election as well.