A coalition of progressive labor unions and organizations—including Rutgers AAUP-AFT, Make the Road Action, New Jersey Citizen Action, New Jersey Working Families Party, and SEIU 32BJ, among others—that came together to endorse Newark Mayor Ras Baraka in this year’s gubernatorial primary issued the following statement:

This year's gubernatorial race marked the beginning of a new era in New Jersey politics.

For the first time in decades, voters had a real choice—free of the “county line” on the ballot—and they used it. Turnout surged to levels we haven’t seen since the 1980s, proving that when democracy actually works, people show up.

We have long been allies fighting for the advancement of working-class people in New Jersey. Over the past eight years of the Murphy administration, we won an increase in the minimum wage, a millionaires’ tax, a corporate business tax, the NJ Earned Sick and Safe Days Act, the Temporary Workers Bill of Rights, Cover All Kids, driver’s licenses for immigrants, and much more.

Our coalition represents hundreds of thousands of working people across New Jersey. During the past two months, our organizations campaigned alongside Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. We came together to make sure that Black and Brown working-class voters had a voice in shaping the outcome, fighting for a governor who would stand up to the far right and deliver bold solutions to our affordability crisis and economic justice for working- and middle-class families.

The election results speak volumes. Nearly half of all Democratic voters backed progressive candidates calling for bold change, including Mayor Baraka, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, and NJEA President Sean Spiller. Mayor Baraka alone earned more than 160,000 votes, carrying Essex and Union Counties outright—all without the backing of county party organizations.

This is not a fluke. It was a clear message from voters who responded to a candidate who led with moral clarity and articulated a way to reimagine New Jersey.

We congratulate Rep. Mikie Sherrill as the winner of the Democratic primary. Now we face a serious challenge: uniting the 375,000 voters who supported more progressive candidates and keeping the energy from this historic turnout alive through November.

In his election night speech, Mayor Baraka called for building a broad-based coalition to defeat Jack Ciattarelli. We agree. If Democrats want to win in November, these now-energized voters must be part of the path forward. That coalition can’t be taken for granted in November—they need a reason to turn out. And the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Jack Ciattarelli isn’t just another Republican. He’s a Trump loyalist, backed by the same MAGA movement that wants to roll back rights for working people, immigrants, women, and LGBTQ+ communities. To stop him, we need a campaign that brings everyone to the table, including the voters who showed up demanding decisive action.

This is the urgent work in front of us: build a united front around a bold vision to ensure that the Republicans are blocked from taking power in November. We’re ready to do our part to make that happen