National Association of Social Workers – New Jersey Chapter
Announces General Election Endorsements; Holds on Endorsement in Gubernatorial Race

BRIDGEWATER, NJ – The New Jersey Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW-NJ) – through its Political Action for Candidate Election (PACE) Committee – has released its list of 92 endorsements for New Jersey’s general election this November.

Conspicuously absent from the list of endorsements is any position in this year’s Gubernatorial race. “NASW-NJ had intense discussions about making an endorsement for Governor this year, and our PACE Committee simply could not endorse Governor Murphy at this time,” said Jennifer Thompson, Executive Director. “While Governor Murphy may have been a strong ally on many of our prior issues during his time in office, his unresponsiveness on the issue of telehealth expansion post-pandemic—specifically his silence on bill S2559/A4179/A4200, which was adopted unanimously by the Legislature and sent to his office for signature more than three months ago—leaves NASW-NJ rightly questioning whether Governor Murphy truly prioritizes mental health treatment. His inaction on this bill threatens convenient and affordable virtual access to mental health services for tens of thousands of people in our state.”

Social workers are the primary providers of mental health care in New Jersey, providing about 80% of professional mental health services. NASW-NJ was closely involved in the drafting and amending of S2559/A4179/A4200 when it was heard in the legislature, offering testimony and speaking frequently with the bill’s sponsor in the Senate. The bill—which was approved unanimously by both chambers of the Legislature on June 30 and would make permanent the temporary provisions enacted to ease access to telehealth services during the pandemic—is of significant importance to the more than 23,000 social workers in the state and the hundreds of thousands of clients to whom they provide services.

Noted Thompson, “when it became apparent the Governor was not going to take swift action to sign this crucial bill into law, NASW-NJ began issuing advocacy alerts asking our members to show their support for the legislation and request the Governor sign it into law. The result has been our most successful advocacy campaign in recent memory,” she continued. “Nearly 1,500 concerned social workers have reached out to the Governor’s office via phone and email since the summer in support of this bill. Despite those efforts and the critical mental health needs of New Jersey residents, Governor Murphy has made no public statement about the bill, let alone has he indicated when or whether he intends to sign it into law.”

Saddened by the Governor’s inaction, Thompson further clarified, “NASW-NJ also has requested meetings with the Governor’s office to discuss the future of this bill, but until very recently had been unable to obtain a meeting. We’re finally in the process of scheduling something with them now, but until we receive some indication from the Governor regarding his intention to sign this bill into law or an understanding of his opposition to the bill, NASW-NJ cannot, in good conscience, issue an endorsement to Governor Murphy at this time.” Thompson added, “Nor can NASW-NJ endorse Jack Ciattarelli either, because of his opposition to women’s reproductive freedom and his stance on several other key issues impacting the LGBTQ+ community and other marginalized members of our society.”

In other races, NASW-NJ has endorsed 74 incumbents for re-election, based on their support for the organization’s legislative agenda and priorities, alignment with the values and ethics espoused by the social work profession, and demonstrated support for the vulnerable and under-represented individuals and communities social workers serve. NASW-NJ has also endorsed 18 challengers who have presented a strong commitment to addressing issues of racial, social, environmental, and economic justice, as well as strong support for advancement in women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and the needs of those individuals struggling with mental health and substance abuse disorders.

“The primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty,” said Thompson. “The candidates we have endorsed reflect this mission and have demonstrated, through words and action, a commitment to working for the betterment of our state’s most vulnerable residents.”

The full list of NASW-NJ PACE endorsed candidates can be found here: https://naswnj.socialworkers.org/Advocacy/PACE

ABOUT NASW-NJ

Founded in 1955, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world, with more than 100,000 members. The New Jersey Chapter is the 2nd largest in the nation, with more than 6,500 members. NASW works to enhance the professional growth and development of its members, to create and maintain professional standards, and to advance sound social policies. Learn more at www.naswnj.org

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