United under One State, One Voice, One Labor Movement, the New Jersey State AFL-CIO looked towards the future of our labor movement today, endorsing one U.S. Senator, 12 U.S. Representatives, and dozens of labor candidates.

More than 400 delegates, representing 1,000 labor unions and one million members and their families, gathered at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on June 16-17, 2026.

“These endorsements are a testament to the utmost trust that we place in these candidates to take a strong stand in support of all working families and fight to protect the fundamental rights that generations of working people have fought and died for,” said New Jersey State AFL-CIO President Charles Wowkanech. “These candidates not only embody our union values but have a profound understanding of the issues and challenges that face working people today,” he continued.

“Here in New Jersey, we are proud to have a wealth of worker power, including two union members in Congress, and this year, our state will continue to set the standard for promoting solidarity across our labor movement, advancing pro-worker legislation, and electing proven allies of our labor movement,” said New Jersey State AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Laurel Brennan.

This year’s keynote speakers included Lieutenant Governor Dr. Dale G. Caldwell, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, Senator Cory Booker, our union brother Congressman Donald Norcross, our union sister Congresswoman Analilia Mejia, Congresswoman Nellie Pou, Acting Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development Kevin Jarvis, AFGE President Dr. Everett Kelley, New Jersey State Conference of the NAACP President Richard Smith, and several other champions of labor. They each shared their insights into the challenges that working people face today, such as the fight to raise the standard of living, the attacks on our right to organize, and the importance of setting guardrails that protect workers from potential harmful applications of AI in the workplace.

Several resolutions were adopted at this year's conference in order to defend the fundamental rights of all workers regardless of immigration status, carry out a unified plan to increase participation and engagement in our labor movement, and fight the exploitation of workers who are misclassified as independent contractors.

The New Jersey State AFL-CIO also adopted a vital resolution aligned with the announcement of an AI legislative campaign that will call on elected officials to take action to protect workers from harmful applications of AI in the workplace such as threats to their livelihoods, safety and privacy, and civil and labor rights. Through sensible guardrails, workers will have a seat at the table and a voice on artificial intelligence.

The 32nd Annual Labor Awards Reception took place on the evening of Tuesday June 16, 2026, in recognition of three extraordinary leaders in the areas of labor, business, and legislation. We are proud to announce the 2026 honorees: Labor Award honoree: Charles N. Hall, Jr., President of RWDSU, UFCW 108, Business Award honoree: Mitch Cahn, President of Unionwear and the Legislative Award honoree: Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin LD-19. Their achievements serve as a powerful reminder of what can be accomplished when business, labor and government work together.

Through the success of the New Jersey State AFL-CIO’s Labor Candidates’ Program, our labor movement has celebrated the election of 1,356 union members to date. As our movement continues to grow and expand, we will continue to make history in our state, and elect leaders who share our vision of promoting fairness, dignity, and above all democracy.

A complete list of candidate endorsements is attached below.

For the candidate endorsements, click here.

For the list of endorsed labor candidates, click here.