In a surprising and positive change of political winds, a labor union that put its forces behind then-Democratic nominee and incumbent Gov. Phil Murphy with an endorsement of his reelection campaign four years ago has now endorsed Jack Ciattarelli, the Republican who ran against him in the 2021 New Jersey gubernatorial race, in the election this November.
What does that mean, beyond a few glowing words for marketing gurus to splash across Garden State TV screen in political ads? Quite a lot more than you might think, local publication The New Jersey Globe reports: [emphasis added]
The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825 has endorsed Jack Ciattarelli for governor of New Jersey, giving the Republican nominee the support of one of the state’s most politically potent labor unions.
The 8,000-member union can provide Ciattarelli with boots on the ground during his campaign, and the potential to spend a significant amount of money through independent expenditures to help him win.
Ciattarelli won the Republican nomination just over a week ago – after gaining Pres. Trump’s endorsement back in May. Gov. Murphy is term-limited.
The union’s business manager, Greg Lalevee, listed in a statement a few reasons why they went with the Republican nominee this time – and at least one of them could be a bellwether for 2026 on the Democrat bases’ stomach for standing with green energy pushers:
“New Jersey is at a crossroads. We face an energy crisis, an affordability crisis, and a crisis of common sense. The solutions are basic but may not be politically popular. We need a Governor who will tackle our challenges and not cave to the fringe political voices.”
That’s what I’ve been saying for a few years. Democrats used to be the blue collar working mans party, now they are the party of deception and deceit. Union rank and file members have been slowly moving over to the republican party and now Union officials are starting to understand why. Neither party actually did a lot for labor until now, when Donald Trump is trying hard to get overtime and tips tax free. People are starting to see that the dim-o-rat party is America’s #1 enemy. Make America Great Again.
Drill Baby, Drill !!! Trump is pushing for more domestic oil and sustainable electricity from nuclear power. Both industries will create thousands of good paying, living wage jobs. And with no taxes on overtime workers will prosper.