Fords, N.J.: The American Federation of Teachers New Jersey (AFTNJ) during its June 29 delegate assembly meeting voted to endorse U.S. Sen. Cory Booker in the 2026 general election, along with Democrats across all 12 New Jersey congressional districts (eight seeking reelection) and seven candidates with ties to AFTNJ running for posts around the state.

“AFT New Jersey is proud to support candidates who reflect our values,” AFTNJ President Jennifer S. Higgins said. “We need more individuals in public office who understand the importance of not only public education but creating an economy that works for all working people.”

AFT New Jersey’s full list of endorsements in the 2026 general election are as follows:

United States Senate

Cory Booker (D)*

United States House of Representatives

CD 1: Donald Norcross (D)*

CD 2: Zack Mullock (D)

CD 3: Herb Conaway (D)*

CD 4: Rachel Peace (D)

CD 5: Joshua Gottheimer (D)*

CD 6: Frank Pallone (D)*

CD 7: Rebecca Bennett (D)

CD 8: Rob Menendez (D)*

CD 9: Nellie Pou (D)*

CD 10: LaMonica McIver (D)*

CD 11: Analilia Mejia (D)*

CD 12: Adam Hamawy (D)

New Jersey State AFL-CIO Labor Candidates

Perth Amboy City Council – Hailey Cruz Batista (AFT 857 *)

Orange Board of Education – Jeffrey Wingfield (AFT 1904 *)

Trenton City Council – Crystal Feliciano (AFT 2222 *)

Carteret Board of Education – Khalimah Poole (AFT 2222)

Waterford City Council – Jaclyn Hettinger (AFT 2373)

Essex County Board of Commissioners – Abdur Yasin (AFT 6324)

Essex County Board of Commissioners – Leonard Luciano (CWA 1037 *)

* Indicates incumbent

An affiliate of the AFL-CIO, AFTNJ is a federation of unions representing 30,000-plus education workers in prekindergarten to 12 school districts, private, religious and charter schools. It is the largest higher education union in the state.