The New Jersey AFL-CIO today voted to endorse Republican State Sen. Nicholas Asselta for re-election in the first district, and after some debate, also endorsed Democratic State Sen. Steve Sweeney, a longtime labor leader, for re-election in District 3.
Sweeney and other Democratic leaders sought to deliver the major union endorsement to Asselta's opponent, Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew.
There was no floor fight on the Asselta-Van Drew contest, as delegates agreed to support a recommendation from the AFL-CIO Executive Board to back the incumbent, who asked that his long standing record in support of labor be considered.
Some public employee unions objected to the endorsement of Sweeney, whose endorsement became the only real fight of the day.
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Asselta
Bravo to the AFL-CIO! Putting Democrat and Republican politics aside, they did the right thing in endorsing Nick Asselta over Jeff Van Drew. Asselta is a fighter for workers, always has been and never cared if he had to go against his party to support their causes. The yes vote on the family leave bill sealed the deal for him. Unfortunately, Mr. Van Drew will have to scramble now to beat a very, very popular official.
Vote
Van Drew is a prime sponsor of the Paid Family Leave Bill. Asselta is going to have to scramble since he is double digits back in polls and not nearly as popular with regular people. Most unions have stayed neutral even though his buddies declared he was going to get all of the union support.
Wise Choice
This endorsement proves to me that Boss Norcross doesn't own everything and the AFL-CIO continues to support those who support them.
Kudos!