Megan is the First Candidate to Earn a Labor Endorsement in Race for NJ-07
ANDOVER, NJ — Climate scientist, union leader, and now Congressional candidate, Dr. Megan O’Rourke announced today that the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3403, has endorsed her Congressional campaign for the 7th District of New Jersey. AFGE 3403 advocates for researchers, scientists, and administrative employees.
AFGE 3403’s endorsement says, “The American Federation of Government Employees Local 3403 is proud to endorse Dr. Megan O’Rourke for Congress in New Jersey’s Seventh District.
“AFGE Local 3403 is a small but mighty Union representing employees across eight federal agencies, including USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. As a union dedicated to protecting federal employees and advancing this nation’s leadership in science and agriculture, we value leaders who share our commitment to scientific integrity and innovation.
“Dr. O’Rourke has spent her career as a climate change expert, championing sustainable and cost-efficient agriculture for families, which plays a vital role in shaping a stronger future. Her campaign inspires our members and strengthens AFGE’s mission to protect federal employees while honoring the foundations of science. We strongly endorse Dr. O’Rourke in this election. She will help restore integrity to our nation’s scientific work, putting us back at the front of global scientific leadership.”
For five years, Dr. O'Rourke led climate change science at USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, where she also served as a steward for AFGE 3403, helping to protect her coworkers rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act. Dr. O'Rourke left the federal government in the Spring of 2025 because she could not in good conscience work for an administration that was taking America backwards on climate science and setting policies that raise costs and hurt working families.
In response to this endorsement, Dr. O’Rourke says, “I am a proud union leader and will fight for the rights of workers to join together to negotiate for good working conditions and fair pay. Unions are key to a healthy middle class.
“With the backing of AFGE 3403, I had the opportunity to work in Congress as a senior advisor in 2023, which has given me the know-how to hit the ground running in Congress. I am forever grateful for that opportunity and for the confidence my union is expressing in me through this early endorsement of my campaign.”
Earlier this year, the Trump Administration stripped the collective bargaining rights from hundreds of thousands of federal workers. Dr. O’Rourke is committed to restoring those rights and defending the rights of all the public sector and trade unions in New Jersey.
