Trenton, NJ – Today, the Council of New Jersey State College Locals (AFT/AFL-CIO), has endorsed Dan Benson for Mercer County Executive.

“Dan has been a tireless advocate of public higher education funding as a member of the Assembly budget committee,” said Tim Haresign, President of the Council of NJ State College Locals. “Dan not only values state higher education, but recognizes the difficulties faced by adjunct faculty, and he stood strong with us to receive a fair contract in 2019.”

Thomas Edison University, AFT Local 4277 President, Charlene Martucci, also weighed in on the endorsement: “I’ve known Dan for many years, and he is always on the right side of our issues. As County Executive, Dan will be straightforward, fair, and honest. I have no doubt he will work tremendously hard for all of Mercer County.”

“As the spouse of a university professor, I understand many of the challenges in higher education today,” Assemblyman Dan Benson said. “If we want a thriving workforce, we must have a robust higher education system. Our highly educated adjunct faculty do an incredible job and they deserve both dignity and respect in the compensation they receive for their work.”

The Council of New Jersey State College Locals serves as the bargaining agent for faculty, librarians, professional staff and adjunct faculty in two separate statewide bargaining units, each of which includes the seven state universities and two state colleges.