ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – Today the New Jersey State AFL-CIO gathered with over 500 delegates and guests from affiliated unions at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino for the labor organization’s 2023 Legislative/COPE Endorsement Conference. Following an analysis of voting records and support for labor actions by elected officials throughout the state, delegates voted to endorse the below list of candidates. Furthermore, the New Jersey State AFL-CIO and all the delegates present paid tribute to Thomas P. Giblin, long time labor leader and retiring State Assemblyman for his dedication and advocacy on behalf of working people over the past five decades.

“These legislative elections will have an outsized impact on our members and it’s critical to help elect pro-worker majorities,” New Jersey State AFL-CIO President Charles Wowkanech said. “These candidates have illustrated that they stand on the side of working people and now we will work to stand on their side on election day” he said. “In addition, we are proud that 49 union members have been endorsed for their elections at all levels of government.  Our Labor Candidates’ Program is a model for the nation, resulting in unprecedented pro-worker legislation that benefits all working families” Wowkanech concluded.

“The labor movement in New Jersey is working to build on past successes and will work to continue to create good paying union jobs by assisting endorsed candidates in their campaigns” stated New Jersey State AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Laurel Brennan.  “We are proud to stand in solidarity with our 49 endorsed union members running for public office this year and to help them win their elections so they can bring a working persons’ perspective to governing” she concluded.

In addition to making endorsements, the conference featured prominent speakers and educational presentations.  Conference speakers included Governor Phil Murphy and National AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond, who were the keynote speakers for the two-day program.  Another high-profile speech was delivered by Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin. Amanda Ballantyne, the Director of the Technology Institute at the AFL-CIO also gave an informative and eye-opening presentation regarding artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on America’s workforce.

The conference also included the New Jersey State AFL-CIO’s 29^th Annual Labor Awards Reception held on the evening of Tuesday, June 13. The reception honors one outstanding leader in each of the fields of government, labor and business. This year’s honorees were Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo (D-14), Greg Lalevee, Business Manager of IUOE Local 825 and Lori Pelletier, Senior Vice President at American Income Life Insurance.

Delegates voted to endorse the following candidates for state legislature as well as Labor Candidates for county and local offices throughout New Jersey for the November 7 general election.