The Communications Workers of America District 1 split their endorsements between incumbents of both parties in one of the most competitive State Assembly races in the State, backing Republican Michael Torrisi, Jr. (R-Hammonton) and Democrat Andrea Katz (D-Chesterfield) in South Jersey’s 8th legislative district.
But the New Jersey CWA backed Democratic incumbents in every other competitive race, and no challengers against incumbents anywhere in the state.
In the 30th district, Assemblyman Avi Schnall (D-Lakewood) got the union’s endorsement, but no support went to any of the other candidates for the second seat, including Republican incumbent Sean Kean (R-Wall).
The union, which represents state government workers, is backing Democratic incumbents Heather Simmons (D-Glassboro) and Dave Bailey (D-Woodstown) in the 3rd district, as well as Luanne Peterpaul (D-Long Branch) and Margie Donlon (D-Ocean) in the 11th. The CWA is also backing Democrats in the 4th, 16th, and 38th districts.
The CWA went for four other Republicans: Erik K. Simonsen (R-Lower) and Antwan McClellan (R-Ocean County) in the 1st district, and Claire Swift (R-Margate) and Donald Guardian (R-Atlantic City). The CWA is staying out of two districts where Democrats are playing for pickups: the 21st and the 25th.
“Our fight to protect state workers from devastating healthcare hikes showed that when we stand together, we win. But that victory was just the beginning,” said Dennis Trainor, the CWA District 1 vice president. “To secure a future where all public employees are treated with respect, we need a legislature that stands with us. These endorsed candidates understand the challenges facing working families and are ready to deliver real solutions in Trenton.”
Also receiving endorsements: Cody Miller and Dan Hutchison, 4th District; Bill Moen and William Spearman, 5th District; Louis Greenwald and Melinda Kane, 6th District; Balvir Singh and Carol A. Murphy, 7th District; Andrea Katz and Michael Torrisi Jr., 8th District; Wayne DeAngelo and Tennille McCoy, 14th District; Verlina Reynolds-Jackson and Anthony Verrelli, 15th District; Roy Freiman and Mitchelle Drulis, 16th District; Joe Danielsen and Kevin Egan, 17th District; Robert Karabinchak and Sterley Stanley, 18th District; Craig Coughlin and Yvonne Lopez, 19th District; Annette Quijano and Eduardo Rodriguez, 20th District; James J. Kennedy and Linda Carter, 22nd District; Rosy Bagolie and Alixon Collazos-Gill, 27th District; Cleopatra Tucker and Chigozie Onyema, 28th District; Eliana Pintor-Marin and Shanique Speight, 29th District; William Sampson and Jerry Walker, 31st District; Katie Brennan and Ravi Bhalla, 32nd District; Gabriel Rodriguez and Larry Wainstein, 33rd District; Carmen Morales, 34th District; Al Abdelaziz and Kenyatta Stewart, 35th District; Gary Schaer and Clinton Calabrese, 36th District; Ellen Park and Shama Haider, 37th District; and Lisa Swain and Chris Tully, 38th District.
No endorsements in districts 9, 10, 12, 13, 23, 24, 26, 39 and 40. The only incumbent Democrat seeking re-election to get stiffed by the CWA was Michael Venezia (D-Bloomfield).
