The New Jersey Education Association’s 125-member political action committee (NJEA PAC) has endorsed Rep. Mikie Sherrill for governor and 67 legislative candidates, including Speaker Craig J. Coughlin, for the general election on Nov. 4.
NJEA’s officers, President Steve Beatty, Vice President Petal Robertson and Secretary-Treasurer Tina Dare released this statement:
“We are excited that our members have endorsed Mikie Sherrill for governor. She’s a strong leader who believes in public education and stands with working families. She understands that unions helped build America’s middle class and believes that workers have a right to join together to win higher salaries and safer working conditions.
“Her service in the Navy and her record in Congress show that 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.
“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. 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.
“She is also willing 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. 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. Her obvious compassion and commitment to our shared values made NJEA members’ decision to endorse her an easy one. 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.”
“NJEA members are also very proud to endorse Speaker Coughlin for re-election. His leadership has been instrumental in passing pro-public education and pro-public employee policies that benefit our members, the students we serve and the communities where we live. Along with all our endorsed legislative candidates, we know that he will continue that progress for New Jersey.
“Our members have high standards for earning NJEA’s endorsement, and our members’ endorsement comes with a promise of support on the ground from now through Nov. 4. Our members are excited to work hard in the coming weeks to elect Rep. Sherrill, Speaker Coughlin and all our other endorsed candidates. Together, they will work to guarantee that New Jersey families can continue to send their children to the nation’s best public schools. They will also ensure that union members are treated with dignity and respect and compensated for the excellent work we do every day.”
The endorsements of Republican and Democrat candidates were based on pro-public education and pro-labor issues that matter to NJEA members and their families.
For the 2025 general election, NJEA PAC has endorsed the following candidates:
Rep. Mikie Sherrill for governor
LD2: Assemblyman Donald Guardian (R) and Maureen Rowan (D) for Assembly
LD 3: Assemblywoman Heather Simmons (D) and Assemblyman David Bailey, Jr. (D)
LD 4: Assemblyman Cody Miller (D) and Assemblyman Dan Hutchison (D)
LD 5: Assemblyman William Moen (D) and Assemblyman William Spearman (D)
LD 6: Assemblyman Lou Greenwald (D) and Assemblywoman Melinda Kane (D)
LD 7: Assemblywoman Carol Murphy (D) and Assemblyman Balvir Singh (D)
LD 8: Assemblywoman Andrea Katz (D) and Anthony Angelozzi (D) for Assembly
LD 9: Assemblyman Brian Rumpf (R)
LD 11: Assemblywoman Margie Donlon, M.D. (D) and Assemblywoman Luanne Peterpaul (D)
LD 12: Assemblyman Robert D. Clifton (R)
LD 13: Assemblywoman Vicky Flynn (R)
LD 14: Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo (D) and Assemblywoman Tennille McCoy (D)
LD 15: Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D) and Assemblyman Anthony Verrelli (D)
LD 16: Assemblywoman Mitchelle Drulis (D) and Assemblyman Roy Freiman (D)
LD 17: Assemblyman Joe Danielsen (D) and Assemblyman Kevin Egan (D)
LD 18: Assemblyman Sterley S. Stanley (D) and Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak (D)
LD 19: Assemblyman Craig J. Coughlin (D) and Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez (D)
LD 20: Assemblywoman Annette Quijano (D) and Eduardo Rodriguez (D) for Assembly
LD 21: Assemblywoman Michelle Matsikoudis (R) and a Your Choice of Vince Kearny (D) and Nancy Munoz (R) for Assembly
LD 22: Assemblywoman Linda S. Carter (D) and Assemblyman James J. Kennedy (D)
LD 25: Assemblywoman Aura Dunn (R) and Your Choice of Steve Pylypchuk (D) or Marisa Sweeney (D) for Assembly
LD 27: Assemblywoman Rosaura Bagolie (D) and Assemblywoman Alixon Collazos-Gill (D)
LD 28: Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker (D) and Chigozie Onyema (D)
LD 30: Assemblyman Alexander “Avi” Schnall (D)
LD 31: Assemblyman William Sampson (D) and Jerry Walker (D) for Assembly
LD 32: Ravi Bhalla (D) and Katie Brennan (D) for Assembly
LD 33: Assemblyman Gabriel Rodriguez (D) and Larry Wainstein (D)
LD 34: Assemblywoman Carmen Morales (D) and Assemblyman Michael Venezia (D)
LD 35: Senator Benjie Wimberly (D) for Senate, Assemblyman Al Abdelaziz (D) and Kenyatta Stewart (D) for Assembly
LD 36: Assemblyman Gary Schaer (D) and Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese (D)
LD 37: Assemblywoman Shama Haider (D) and Assemblywoman Ellen Park (D)
LD 38: Assemblywoman Lisa Swain (D) and Assemblyman Chris Tully (D)
LD 39: Andrew LaBruno (D) and Donna Abene (D) for Assembly
LD 40: Assemblyman Al Barlas (R) and Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips (R)