NJ-07: Varela (D) endorsed by 32BJ SEIU, his first union backer

Brian Varela’s campaign for the 7th congressional district picked up its first union endorsement today: 32BJ SEIU, a major property services union that frequently teams up with progressive Democrats around the state.

32BJ SEIU was, notably, among the unions that supported now-Rep. Analilia Mejia (D-Glen Ridge) in this year’s special Democratic primary for the 11th district; Mejia’s alliance with a coalition of labor unions and progressive organizations helped her win the Democratic primary in an upset. Some of Mejia’s other top backers, like Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Make the Road Action NJ, have also endorsed Varela.

Union endorsements have generally been few and far between thus far in the 7th district, where four Democrats are competing for the right to challenge Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-Westfield). Rebecca Bennett, who has the bulk of the district’s official party support, has been endorsed by the Communications Workers of America District 1 (another Mejia backer) and the New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association.

Also on 32BJ SEIU’s endorsement list today are five Hudson County Commissioner candidates, two Passaic County Commissioner candidates, and six local candidates in Newark – among them Baraka, who is running for a fourth term as mayor this year.



https://newjerseyglobe.com/congress/varela-endorsed-by-32bj-seiu-his-first-union-backer/