The New Jersey Education Association PAC has endorsed Rep. Mikie Sherrill for governor, voting to back a candidate after spending tens of millions to defeat her in the Democratic primary.
The state’s largest public employee union said Sherrill was a supporter of public education and will stand with its members to raise teacher salaries.
“Mikie Sherrill understands that a pension is a promise. Unlike Jack Ciattarelli, she will keep that promise by fully funding public employee pensions so that educators can have the economic security they have earned and the dignity they deserve,” said the new NJEA officers: President Steve Beatty, Vice President Petal Robertson and Secretary-Treasurer Tina Dare. “She knows the promise of a secure pension is one important way to attract and retain dedicated professionals who will keep our public schools the best in the nation for years to come.
The Republican nominee, Jack Ciattarelli, declined to be interviewed by the PAC.
They praised Sherrill’s willingness to listen.
“She respects educators and will make sure our members have a place at the table and a real voice when education policy is made,” the three NJEA leaders stated. “While Jack Ciattarelli refused to look our members in the eyes, she showed up and engaged in real conversation about the future of our public schools and our state.”
NJEA-related groups spent approximately $40 million in support of former Montclair Mayor Sean Spiller, then the sitting president of the teachers’ union, in the race for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination.
“Her obvious compassion and commitment to our shared values made NJEA members’ decision to endorse her an easy one,” Beatty, Robertson and Dare said. “Mikie Sherrill is a clear choice to lead New Jersey, and we are eager to work side by side with our members to help her win in November.”
The union leaders said that Sherill’s service as a congresswoman and U.S. Navy helicopter pilot shows “she has the intelligence, integrity and independence that voters want and New Jersey needs,”
“At a time when our nation is at a crossroads, she is ready to stand up for New Jersey and show America that there is a better way than what we see in Washington, D.C.,” Beatty, Robertson and and Dare said.
