Communications Workers of America District 1-Endorsed Candidates Win Majority of New Jersey’s Competitive Primaries

Union Posts 71% Win Rate Across New Jersey’s Competitive Primaries

NEW JERSEY — The Communications Workers of America (CWA) District 1 today celebrated a powerful night at the polls, with CWA-endorsed candidates winning roughly 71% of New Jersey’s competitive primary races (i.e. contests where the union’s pick faced an opponent), a result that reflects the strength of the union’s political program and the organizing power of its members. The union’s endorsed slate spanned from Congress to county commissions and city halls.

In the battleground 7th Congressional District, Rebecca Bennett captured the Democratic nomination; Rep. Analilia Mejia (NJ-11) won her first full-term primary nomination with more than 80% of the vote; and CWA-endorsed Alex Valdez took Hudson County’s only contested commissioner primary by roughly 15 points.

CWA-backed congressional incumbents swept their primaries, including Rep. Frank Pallone and three of the union’s four endorsed candidates for Essex County Commissioner At-Large advanced to November.

Two of the night’s wins were especially close to home, as CWA members carried their own races. Leonard Luciano, a member of CWA Local 1037, secured the uncontested Democratic nomination for Essex County Commissioner in District 4; Belinda Fontanez, a member of CWA Local 1036, won the Democratic nomination for mayor of Pemberton Township.

“Last night, New Jersey’s working families sent a clear message: When we put our members at the center of the political process, we win,” said Tonya Hodges, New Jersey Area Director, CWA District 1.

“A 71% win rate in our competitive races, with several of our own union members winning their seats, is a testament to the members who knocked doors, made calls, and talked to their neighbors about what’s at stake,” said Anna-Marta Visky, CWA District 1’s New Jersey Political and Field Director. “This is how we build worker power: by supporting candidates who stand with us at every level of government, and by engaging our members in the political process at every step.”

Visky congratulated the union’s full slate of winners and thanked CWA members for the volunteer effort behind the victories. “Every win last night belongs to our members, who volunteered hundreds of hours of their time to support our endorsed candidates,” she said. “Their energy and commitment are what carry these campaigns across the finish line.”

In Congress, CWA’s endorsed incumbents all advanced to the November general election: Donald Norcross (NJ-1), Herb Conaway (NJ-3), Frank Pallone (NJ-6), Rob Menendez (NJ-8), Nellie Pou (NJ-9), and LaMonica McIver (NJ-10).

On the county commissions, CWA-endorsed candidates won their primaries across the state: in Essex County, Christine McGrath, Abdur R. Yasin, and Wayne L. Richardson (At-Large) and Medinah Muhammad (District 3); in Hudson County, Bill O’Dea (District 2), Pam Johnson (District 3), and Ron Bautista (District 5); in Burlington County, Jonathan Chebra and Randy Brolo; and in Mercer County, Lucylle R. S. Walter.

CWA District 1 made clear its work is far from over. The union will be back on the doors this fall for its endorsed candidates ahead of November’s general election. “We’re celebrating today, but tomorrow we get back to work,” Visky said. “We’ll be knocking doors for these candidates all the way to November, because the fight for affordable healthcare, good union jobs, and a fair economy for working families doesn’t stop at the primary.”

About CWA:
The Communications Workers of America represents 700,000 working men and women in public service, education, telecommunications, customer service, healthcare, media, airlines, and manufacturing. District One represents 70,000 total members in New Jersey.
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