Bhimani and Draeger Earn New Jersey State AFL-CIO Endorsement

MORRISTOWN — Today, Dr. Lisa Bhimani and Darcy Draeger announced their endorsement by the New Jersey State AFL-CIO, representing the support of more than one-thousand unions and over one-million members of organized labor from across the state. The endorsement is a  significant early boon in the key battleground district.

“We’re honored to fight alongside the AFL-CIO to strengthen the middle class and make New Jersey an affordable place to start out in life, raise a family, and retire,” said Bhimani. “We’re committed to revitalizing our economy, reducing our property tax burden, lowering healthcare costs, and modernizing NJ Transit.”

The New Jersey State AFL-CIO issued the endorsement at their annual convention, which took place in Atlantic City. The AFL-CIO endorsement carries significant weight, particularly in areas with relatively high union membership like the 25th Legislative District.

“I’m proud to accept the endorsement of the NJ State AFL-CIO, and to stand in solidarity with the working men and women of New Jersey,” said Draeger. “Together, we’ll build an economy that supports the middle class and makes New Jersey an affordable place to live.”

“Now, more than ever, with the constant attacks on workers’ rights, it is crucial that we expand working family representation at all levels of government,” said Charles Wowkanech, President of the New Jersey State AFL-CIO. “[Lisa and Darcy] understand the challenges facing the middle class and will work to put the interests of New Jersey’s working families first.”

The endorsement further underscores the growing momentum of the two candidates, who propelled turnout in the Democratic primary up nearly 300% from 2015. Bhimani and Draeger have already knocked on thousands of doors and have built a formidable team of grassroots volunteers and donors ready to flip the 25th Legislative District.

“The working families of New Jersey are fed up with Assemblyman Bucco’s regressive voting record, which has left property taxes spiraling out of control and affordability slipping away for too many families. He has consistently voted against higher wages, affordable healthcare, and common-sense reforms to rein in wasteful spending and reduce our property tax burden,” said Bhimani. “We need representatives in Trenton who will stand up for the middle class, not make it harder to afford to live in New Jersey.”

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Dr. Lisa Bhimani and Darcy Draeger are candidates for State Assembly in New Jersey’s 25th Legislative District.