Joining progressive leaders across New Jersey, the board of the New Jersey Working Families Party has unanimously voted to endorse the re-election campaign of Rep. Donald Payne (D-Essex).

New Jersey Working Families Party’s move comes following the endorsement of key progressive organizations and leaders from across New Jersey, from Assemblywoman Britnee Timberlake (D-Essex) to SEIU 32BJ to HPAE, which represents health care workers.

“I am extremely grateful to receive the endorsement of the NJ Working Families Party,” said Congressman Payne. “Their tireless work to elect candidates who will be true advocates for our communities is unparalleled. I am committed to continuing to work alongside them in Washington to pass legislation to advance key progressive priorities such as protecting our environment, securing reproductive rights, and ensuring that our economy works for everyone and not just a select few.”

Board members made this endorsement following an extensive process, citing Payne’s strong track record in support of progressive priorities, from labor rights to immigration.

“We are proud to endorse Congressman Payne,” said Sean Spiller, President of the New Jersey Education Association. “He shares our commitment to supporting the families who rely on New Jersey’s best-in-the-nation public schools. The best way to overcome injustice and economic inequality is to invest in public education, and we know that he will be a fierce advocate for New Jersey’s students and educators.”

“Rep. Donald Payne is a proven champion for workers and organized labor, and we were proud to support him during the New Jersey Working Families Party endorsement process,” said Fran Ehret, New Jersey State Director for the Communications Workers of America. “We look forward to continuing to work with him on policies that enhance the power of workers and organized labor.”

“Congressman Payne has proven to be a powerful voice on behalf of low-wage workers in New Jersey’s burgeoning warehouse and logistics sector,” said Lorenza Garcia of Make the Road Action. “Immigrant workers in these industries need a strong voice to stand up on their behalf against powerful corporate interests seeking to keep pay and benefits stingy and working conditions poor.”

“For years, SEIU 32BJ has given building service workers in Newark a political voice. Elections are opportunities for us to support candidates that will fight for and protect working families and their communities,” explained SEIU 32BJ Executive Vice President and NJ State Director Kevin Brown. “Congressman Payne has been a longtime advocate for these same principles in Washington, where he has worked to enhance collective bargaining rights and expand healthcare access, while also being a vocal supporter for workers attempting to unionize. We are glad to see NJ Working Families endorse him and look forward to continuing to work together in service of labor rights and economic equality.”

“Rep. Payne has been a strong progressive voice for New Jersey and his district in Congress and I look forward to working with him on enacting policies that support working families,” said BlueWave New Jersey President Marcia Marley.

“Donald Payne and his office have always supported our members whether helping find health insurance for our families or legislatively, forcefully speaking out about the Amazon airport expansion protects our members in their jobs and communities,” said Mickey Santiago, President of CWA Local 1032.

“We were proud to cast a vote to endorse Rep. Donald Payne on behalf of New Jersey Working Families,” said Anthony Mitchell, Political Director of CWA Local 1037. “During his time in office, the congressman has been a staunch supporter of working families and stood on the side of labor.”

“NJ 11th for Change is proud to endorse candidates who are responsive, transparent, and accountable, and demonstrate their willingness to work with constituents to make NJ fairer and more inclusive,” Mara Novak and Leslie Bockol, Co-Executive Directors, NJ 11th for Change. “We are glad to support Representative Donald Payne, Jr., in his bid for re-election to Congress in CD-10!”

“NJWFP is proud to endorse Rep Payne,” said New Jersey Working Families State Director Sue Altman. “His record has long been indisputably progressive. He is a co-sponsor of Medicare for All, was one of only two Members of Congress from NJ who were on the Green New Deal-derived, pro environment, pro labor Thrive Agenda, he was a major advocate behind the scenes in garnering support for Build Back Better (while other Democratic Congressmen from NJ were torpedoing it) and he is a vocal supporter of Reparations campaigns in NJ and was an original sponsor of H.R. 40, the Commission to Study and Develop Reparations.

“And his politics are personal. As someone with chronic health conditions himself, he has been an advocate for people with diabetes, winning high-profile awards from the National Kidney Foundation for his advocacy on this diabetes, which is far too rampant in our most vulnerable communities.

“To summarize: Rep Payne is supportive of many of NJWFP’s most core policies, and has been for years, and that is why our board voted to support him, unanimously.”