The New Jersey State Building & Construction Trades Council today announced its endorsements for the 2025 General Election in the New Jersey General Assembly, including a special election in the 35th Legislative District. Following a thorough review and recommendation process by local councils and affiliated unions, the State Council endorsed a diverse, bipartisan slate of candidates committed to strengthening New Jersey’s workforce, economy, and infrastructure.

“In every corner of the state, the candidates we’ve endorsed—Democrats and Republicans alike—have demonstrated an understanding of the issues that matter to the working men and women of New Jersey’s building trades,” said Council President William T. Mullen. “Our members want public officials who support fair wages, infrastructure investment, project labor agreements, and real pathways to the middle class through union apprenticeship and training. These candidates have shown they are ready to stand with us.”

The Council, which represents over 150,000 members across 15 affiliated trades and 13 local building trades councils, endorsed 72 Democratic candidates and 22 Republican candidates—affirming its ongoing commitment to a bipartisan, labor-first approach to politics.

President Mullen noted the Council will be paying special attention to those legislators who are proud union members themselves, including Assemblymen Wayne DeAngelo, Anthony Verrelli, and Kevin Egan.

“Especially in today’s climate, we believe it’s critical to support candidates who value unity over division, and who see organized labor not as a partisan talking point—but as a foundation for a strong, inclusive economy,” Mullen added.

The Council did not issue an endorsement in the 2025 gubernatorial race at this time.

Endorsed Candidates for the New Jersey General Assembly and Senate (LD-35):
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LD1: Erik Simonsen*, Antwan McClellan*
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LD2: Don Guardian*, Claire Swift*
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LD3: Heather Simmons*, Dave Bailey Jr.*
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LD4: Dan Hutchison*, Cody D. Miller*
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LD5: William F. Moen Jr., William W. Spearman
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LD6: Louis Greenwald*, Melinda Kane*
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LD7: Carol Murphy*, Balvir Singh*
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LD8: Andrea Katz*, Michael Torrissi Jr.*
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LD9: Brian E. Rumpf*, Gregory E. Myhre*
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LD11: Margaret Donlon*, Luanne Peterpaul*
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LD14: Wayne P. DeAngelo*, Tennille R. McCoy*
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LD15: Verlina Reynolds-Jackson*, Anthony Verrelli*
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LD16: Roy Freiman*, Mitchelle Drulis*
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LD17: Kevin Egan*, Joe Danielsen*
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LD18: Robert Karabinchak*, Sterley Stanley*
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LD19: Craig J. Coughlin*, Yvonne Lopez*
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LD20: Annette Quijano*, Ed Rodriguez
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LD21: Nancy Munoz*, Michele Matsikoudis*
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LD22: James J. Kennedy*, Linda Carter*
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LD23: John DiMaio*, Erik Peterson*
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LD24: Dawn Fantasia*, Michael Inganamort*
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LD25: Aura Dunn*, Christian Barranco*
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LD26: Jay Webber*, Brian Bergen*
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LD27: Rosy Bagolie*, Alixon Collazos-Gill*
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LD28: Cleopatra Tucker*, Chigozie Onyema
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LD29: Eliana Pintor Marin*, Shanique Speight*
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LD30: Sean Kean*, Edward Thomson III*

LD32: Katie Brennan, Ravi Bhalla
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LD33: Gabriel Rodriguez*, Larry Wainstein
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LD34: Carmen Morales*, Michael Venezia*
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LD35 (Senate Special Election): Benjie E. Wimberly*
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LD35 (Assembly): Al Abdelaziz*, Kenyatta Stewart
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LD36: Gary Schaer*, Clinton Calabrese*
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LD37: Shama Haider*, Ellen Park*
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LD38: Lisa Swain*, Chris Tully*
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LD40: Christopher DePhillips*, Al Barlas*
(*Indicates incumbent)