AFTNJ formally endorses Gov. Phil Murphy for reelection

Union federation praises his policies that have strengthened

PreK-12 and higher education in New Jersey

Perth Amboy, N.J.: Leaders from the American Federation of Teachers New Jersey gathered Aug. 24 at City Hall Circle to mark AFTNJ’s formal endorsement of Gov. Phil Murphy for reelection.

“Rights for workers, rights for voters, rights for immigrants: That is what Gov. Murphy stood for and stands for,” said AFTNJ President Donna M. Chiera, a former student and teacher in the Perth Amboy school district. “Perth Amboy was an industrial hub; we were a working-class family [and] had a lot of industry here. And it always supported its workers and their unions. Gov. Murphy supports the workers and their unions — whether they’re factory workers, whether they’re school teachers, whether they’re higher ed employees. He supports us and has worked for us.”

In his first term as New Jersey’s governor, Chiera said, Murphy supported traditional public schools and higher education, and “he has brought us to the table, the professionals who make the decisions … he has made sure our voices have been heard in Trenton — not only heard, but respected.”

She added, “Even in these difficult times, he has put people over politics … signing legislation to keep us safe and healthy, building a stronger education system and at the same time securing financial stability for individuals and small businesses through this pandemic. And he has done this not so that we can end up where we were pre-pandemic; he has done this so as we come out of this pandemic, we are further ahead. New Jersey will be stronger, fairer and better.”

“I accept this endorsement with great humility, with deep, deep appreciation, and we have work to do together,” Murphy said. “And I can’t wait to get out there knocking on doors, doing rallies, sending emails, making phone calls.”

Also on hand for the announcement were Perth Amboy Mayor Helmin Caba, who in thanking Gov. Murphy for making investments in schools said to the small crowd, “I believe education and innovation are the driving forces of the success and longevity in creating a more equitable and prosperous Perth Amboy and New Jersey.”

Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez echoed Caba’s comments: “Today’s endorsement of Gov. Murphy by the AFT demonstrates the governor’s commitment to our teachers, students and education system.”

AFTNJ is a federation of unions representing 30,000 education workers in prekindergarten to 12 school districts, and it is the largest higher education union in the state.

PHOTO CAPTION: Gov. Phil Murphy accepts the endorsement from the American Federation of Teachers New Jersey on Aug. 24 at Perth Amboy’s City Hall Circle, following comments by (left to right) AFTNJ President Donna M. Chiera, Perth Amboy Mayor Helmin Caba and Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez. (Photo by Chris M. Junior/AFTNJ)