NJEA PAC Endorsed Candidates

On Nov. 5, New Jersey voters will head to the polls to elect 80 members to the New Jersey General Assembly. State government has a profound impact on what happens in New Jersey’s schools. That’s why the NJEA Political Action Committee (PAC) carefully screens all candidates for statewide public office.

NJEA PAC prides itself on having a sound, fair, and democratic process leading up to the endorsement of a candidate. The purpose of the process is to identify the candidates most supportive of NJEA’s legislative program. Endorsing and electing candidates who support NJEA’s goals significantly increases the association’s ability to pass favorable legislation and stop negative legislation.

Candidates for the NJ General Assembly

LD 8

Ryan Peters (R)

New Jersey’s teachers, support staff and school personnel need someone fighting for them, not elected officials who only care about doing the bidding of political party bosses. I’ve spent my time in Trenton being their voice, and I am honored to have the NJEA stand beside me.

Jean Stanfield (R)

As sheriff, I organized a gun buyback to get dangerous weapons off the street and a youth police academy focused on safe communities and schools. Education is the noblest of professions, and I am honored to earn the support of those who dedicate their lives to it.

LD 9

Sarah Collins (D)

Public employees have been paying too much for health care and legislators are doing nothing. It is time we saw relief from Chapter 78. As a member of the Assembly, my first duty will be to get S-4114 out of committee and brought to a full vote.

LD 10

Eileen Della Volle (D)

Throughout my education, teachers and educational support professionals (ESP) impacted me in many ways. This education allowed me to escape from poverty. I believe teachers and ESP are the backbone of our country. I believe we should respect the dignity of educators. I support public education and democratic values.

Erin Wheeler (D)

As a teacher and local association president, I understand the impact the Legislature has on our jobs, our pay and our retirement. I will work to protect educators, educational support professionals, schools, students and our communities. We need a teacher in Trenton. Who better to stand up for us, but one of us?

LD 11

Joann Downey (D)

As a mom with two kids in the Freehold Township public schools, I know that when we put our students first, we all win. With the hardworking educators and educational support professionals of NJEA by our side, we will continue to fight for our students and taxpayers to get the education they deserve.

Eric Houghtaling (D)

It is an honor to have the support of the thousands of teachers and educational support professionals who make Monmouth County such a great place to live and raise a family.

LD 12

Robert Clifton (R)

As a father of two public school students, one of whom is a special needs student, I will fight to prevent the outsourcing of educational support professionals, and I support Chapter 78 reforms. I will also fight for fair school funding. Under S-2, the school districts in my legislative district will lose over $70 million in funding.

Ronald Dancer (R)

I have been a consistent voice and vote for NJEA-supported legislation. I support A-5814 and am a sponsor of A-4352, which would cap health insurance contributions at a percentage of salary, not premium. I sponsored A-3395 to protect school employees from subcontracting during a collective bargaining agreement and A-3664 to provide due process and job protection for ESPs. I introduced legislation to restore all state school aid to schools in my legislative district.

LD 13

Serena DiMaso (R)

I am running for re-election in the 13th Legislative District. I’m a mom first. I’m a legislator. I’m a first responder. Our schools and our students are invaluable. I’ve stood up on the Assembly floor to fight for them numerous times. I would be honored to continue to fight for another term.

*Gerard Scharfenberger (R)

As a former mayor, freeholder and adjunct professor for nearly 23 years at Monmouth University, I understand the crucial role that education plays in the community. I want to be the type of legislator that brings this experience to ensuring fair, common sense legislation for the betterment of educators, students and taxpayers alike.

*Indicates that these two candidates were deemed to be qualified for endorsement for one seat.

*Barbara Singer (D)

As the daughter of teachers, the education/union combination was the basis of our lives, making the NJEA support that much more meaningful to me. I look forward to the opportunity to represent our educators and support professionals, and to helping them achieve the rewarding careers and benefits that my family experienced.

LD 14

Daniel Benson (D)

I could not be prouder to have earned an NJEA endorsement for re-election this year. The support of educators and support professionals from across the state of New Jersey means a great deal to me. I look forward to continuing to work to ensure that our educators have the resources they need to maintain our high standards for public education.

Wayne DeAngelo (D)

I am honored to receive the support and endorsement of the NJEA and its over 200,000 members. I look forward to continuing to stand with the teachers and educational support professionals of NJEA as we continue to fight for the fair compensation of all of its members.

LD 15

Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D)

It’s an honor to be endorsed by NJEA, which works on behalf of our teachers and educational support professionals every day. Supporting our educators’ rights and our students’ rights across New Jersey is one of my top priorities. I will always be a staunch ally of our educators and, when re-elected, will continue to fight for them every day in Trenton.

Anthony Verrelli (D)

Our children attend some of the best public schools in the nation. That is in no small part thanks to our exceptional educators. NJEA is incredibly effective in representing New Jersey’s educators to make sure they have an environment where everyone involved thrives. New Jersey’s educators are my brothers and sisters in organized labor, and I will always fight to do right by them.

LD 16

Roy Freiman (D)

I am honored to have received the endorsement of my local educators. Whether at home with my wife who is a teacher or out in the community, I hear every day about the struggles that educators are facing: growing classroom sizes, inadequate resources and rising health care costs that continually reduce their take-home pay. Yet educators are still providing a world-class education. I vow to continue being a strong voice in Trenton for educators.

Andrew Zwicker (D)

New Jersey has the best public school system in the country. We have that distinct honor because of the hard work and dedication of our teachers and support professionals. I am grateful to receive the endorsement of NJEA, and we will continue to work together to ensure that all NJ students have access to the highest quality education in the world.

LD 17

Joseph Danielsen (D)

I am extremely grateful to accept the NJEA endorsement. As the son of a former educator, it shows that my efforts on the Assembly Education Committee have been appreciated. School employees are the backbone of our democracy. I will continue to strive for and support legislation that improves the quality of salary, benefits, and working conditions for all school employees.

LD 18

Robert Karabinchak (D)

Our communities are fortunate to send our families to some of the best public schools in the country thanks to the passion and dedication of our state’s teachers and educational support professionals. When we invest in the protections and interest of our school staff, we advance the success of our schools.

Nancy Pinkin (D)

I would like to thank the members of NJEA for their continued support. I will continue to commit myself to ensuring that our schools can offer the best services to our children and young adults, and that this state continues to support and protect the women and men that make their education a possibility.

LD 19

Craig Coughlin (D)

As a product of public schools, I am a staunch believer that public education is the “great equalizer.” Our system provides an efficient, free and thorough education to all students regardless of any demographic and our society has the moral obligation to provide and protect this aim at all costs.

Yvonne Lopez (D)

I firmly believe that a strong education is the foundation for future success in all endeavors. Our current public education system is one of the most important assets we maintain as a state and across the country. Protecting the quality and competency of this system for all students must always remain a top priority.

LD 20

Jamel Holley (D)

As a product of a New Jersey public education, I feel compelled to advocate for enhanced working conditions, job security and pensions for our teachers and educational support professionals. I look forward to working together to make lasting, sensible reform that will provide teachers with resources necessary to set-up for success as they prepare our children for bright futures.

Annette Quijano (D)

I’d like to thank the teachers, educational support professionals, and all of the NJEA members for their service to the students of New Jersey as well as their endorsement in this election.

LD 21

Jon Bramnick (R)

As a graduate of Plainfield public schools and parent of two Westfield public school alumni, I know the importance of strong public schools. I am proud to stand with the NJEA to ensure every teacher and education professional receives the support they need to provide a world class education to every New Jersey student.

Nancy Munoz (R)

New Jersey has the best schools in the nation thanks to the tireless work of teachers and educational support professionals. Standing with the NJEA, I look forward to working together to ensure every New Jersey student receives the best education possible.

LD 22

Linda Carter (D)

James Kennedy (D)

As a long-time supporter of NJEA and spouse to a former Rahway Public Schools teacher, I hope to make sure New Jersey remains the best state for education in the nation. I will continue to be an advocate in the Legislature for school funding, pensions and health benefits, and ensuring we provide the proper support for teachers, staff, and students at all public schools.

LD 24

Deana Lykins (D)

The men and women who teach and support the next generation of leaders are the backbone of our society. Honoring your life’s work means keeping promises and compensating you appropriately. I want to fight for the education system we all need and deserve. Please help me become that fighter for LD 24.

LD 25

Lisa Bhimani (D)

I come from a family of educators and know how important their hard work is to the success of our students. I’m honored to have the support of NJEA PAC. I will fight every day to ensure our schools get their fair share of funding and our educators and support staff receive the hard-earned benefits they deserve.

Anthony Bucco (R)

I am proud to stand with New Jersey’s educators and school support staff on Chapter 78 reform, collective bargaining rights, and proper funding for our classrooms and communities. As a parent of two public school employees and friend to teachers across this state, you will always have an ally in me in Trenton.

LD 26

Christine Clarke (D)

As an environmental advocate, a grassroots organizer, a mother-of-four and a product of our public schools running to advance clean energy jobs, protect clean air and water, improve health care, and legislate with empathy, I know the crucial role educators play in meeting long-term policy goals. I appreciate NJEA’s endorsement and look forward to being an advocate for us in Trenton!

BettyLou DeCroce (R)

Our hard-working educators deserve our strong support, and that requires the state maintaining public confidence in how we spend more than $13 Billion each year on education services. I have always taken a bipartisan approach to resolving issues that come before the Legislature. We are at our best when we work to reach consensus to solve problems in this state.

LD 27

Mila Jasey (D)

Educators are among our most important and valuable professionals. For too long they have not been accorded the respect, admiration and economic parity they so deserve. It is they who are responsible for our state’s number one ranking nationwide, and they are owed a tremendous debt of gratitude. I stand with New Jersey’s educators and am honored to receive the endorsement of NJEA.

John McKeon (D)

I am honored to receive NJEA’s endorsement. Our schools are the nation’s best because the tremendous work of our educators. They provide a quality education and prepare students for college and careers. I will continue to ensure our public schools remain one of our state’s most valuable assets.

LD 28

Ralph Caputo (D)

I have supported public schools as a teacher, administrator and legislator. My record reflects these principles: full SFRA funding for all school districts, collective bargaining, sensible—rather than over-the-top—testing that is not the only tool to evaluate teachers, full pension funding, and Ch. 78 relief from undue health benefit costs. I am committed to promote educational initiatives that improve public education.

Cleopatra Tucker (D)

I would like to thank NJEA and its members for their support of my reelection. I will continue to support legislation that will protect the rights of teachers and educational support professionals and promote equal quality education for all students in New Jersey.

LD 30

Sean Kean (R)

I am very pleased to again receive the endorsement of the New Jersey Education Association. I believe that teachers and school support staff play an invaluable role in the growth and education of our children. As such, it is important that your hard work and contributions are acknowledged and that you are compensated fairly.

Edward Thomson (R)

New Jersey has the best public schools and the most outstanding education professionals in the country. I look forward to continuing to work with NJEA to support our dedicated education professionals who play a critical role in the development of our young people and are a vital part of our economic viability.

LD 31

Angela McKnight (D)

Throughout my years serving in the General Assembly, I have maintained my commitment to advocating for the active and retired educators and educational support professionals who provide a quality education to the students in our state. I look forward to returning to Trenton to help maintain and improve public education so that our children are prepared for a successful future.

Nicholas Chiaravalloti (D)

I appreciate your confidence in me and recognition of my track record of fighting for our public educators, students, educational support staff, and making sure that LD 31 gets its fair share of funding. As the son of a retired educator, it is easy for me to understand the dedication and sacrifice it takes to be a public school teacher.

LD 32

Angelica Jimenez (D)

I am very proud to once again receive the endorsement of the New Jersey Education Association. This outstanding organization provides a voice to educators throughout our state, and I look forward to continuing to work with NJEA to ensure our students receive the top-quality education they deserve.

Pedro Mejia (D)

I am very proud to receive NJEA’s endorsement. As an immigrant, I know the importance of a good education, and I will fight hard so that all New Jersey children have access to the top-quality education that our education professionals and educational support professionals provide. I promise to remain a forceful advocate for the educators and children of New Jersey.

LD 33

Annette Chaparro (D)

I am grateful to once again receive the trust and backing of NJEA, which proudly represents so many hardworking educators in New Jersey. I look forward to partnering with my fellow legislators to address the many issues facing educators, including Ch. 78 health care relief, the ESP Job Justice bills, and protecting the pensions and benefits of New Jersey educators.

Raj Mukherji (D)

I am humbled by this endorsement by our educators. The well-being of our teachers and support staff is imperative in ensuring the high-quality education that New Jersey children deserve.

LD 34

Thomas Giblin (D)

Britnee Timberlake (D)

Education establishes the foundation of our society. That is why I strongly believe that every student should be granted access to a high quality, affordable education. We must protect and enhance the experience of both teachers and students in our schools. I am committed to improving the classroom experience will continue to be a staunch advocate for students and educators.

LD 35

Shavonda Sumter (D)

I look forward to the expansion of solutions to support our educators, educational support professionals and students. Collectively, we will prepare policies and funding alternatives to ensure that New Jersey has the best teachers and education system in our country. This vision may only be achieved with strong leadership.

Benjie Wimberly (D)

I am a 28-year veteran of Paterson Public Schools. My wife, is a first-grade teacher in the district. I have always been an advocate for our youth and a quality public education for all students. You can count on me to fight for educators, who make a child’s life better through education and, with that, comes the fight for pensions and health care. I will continue that fight.

LD 36

Clinton Calabrese (D)

Education is critical for individual success as well as social and economic development. New Jersey’s schools are ranked number one in the country, and we have our hardworking teachers and ESPs to thank for our success and for the positive impact their efforts have on our students and our state.

Gary Schaer (D)

As the original sponsor of the Chapter 78 relief bill, I am honored to receive this endorsement from NJEA. I hope to continue protecting the interests of our educators and educational support professionals. They are the ones who make New Jersey schools the best in the nation.

LD 37

Gordon Johnson (D)

This November, I am asking for your support to continue my service in the Assembly. If elected, I will continue to fight for our public schools, ensuring that every child can receive a quality education. New Jersey’s future is bright, and I hope to continue my part in shaping it.

Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D)

Throughout my career in the General Assembly, I have been committed to advocating for public workers in New Jersey. I have sponsored several pieces of legislation aimed at supporting both teachers and educational support professionals. I am a sponsor of legislation that would provide job security to educational support professionals as well as legislation that would provide relief from Chapter 78.

LD 38

Lisa Swain (D)

I am thrilled to have the NJEA’s support. Assemblyman Chris Tully and I have fought hard to make sure our district’s schools receive their fair share of school funds, and we are proud to say we have brought

Chris Tully (D)

NJEA’s endorsement is a tremendous honor. My young son will soon be entering the school system, and I know nothing is more important for our community’s future than supporting the teachers and staff who make our local schools so great.

LD 39

John Birkner Jr. (D)

Our public schools are the backbone of what makes New Jersey great. I will always support the students, parents, teachers, and educational support professionals who make up our public school community. I’m ready and eager to get to Trenton and join in the work of repairing the damage that eight years of the Chris Christie administration did to our public schools.

Gerald Falotico (D)

I believe our great public schools are one of the very best things about living in New Jersey. John and I are committed to working every day in the Legislature to ensure that our teachers and educational support professionals are treated with fairness and dignity.

LD 40

Christopher DePhillips (R)

I am honored to have the support of NJEA and its more than 200,000 educators, retirees, and college students who are tirelessly working toward making our state’s educational system among the top rated in the United States. I am fully committed to addressing declining pay and improving the quality of life for all educators.

Kevin Rooney (R)

I am truly honored and humbled to have received the endorsement of the New Jersey Education Association for another term in the General Assembly. New Jersey’s highly ranked schools are a direct reflection of our teachers and educational support professionals. I look forward to working with NJEA for the next two years.