Coalition of labor and community groups announce endorsement criteria for New Jersey gubernatorial candidate;

Coalition of labor and community groups announce endorsement criteria for New Jersey gubernatorial candidate; invite candidates to Andy Kim-hosted forum 
 
The “Build and Defend New Jersey” Challenge calls on candidates to protect New Jerseyans from the worst policies of Trump administration.  
 
Trenton—January 30—A coalition of more than 20 labor and community groups today unveiled a common list of questions they will factor into their endorsement screening processes and decisions for this year’s gubernatorial primaries.  
 
The groups have signed onto the “Build and Defend New Jersey” Challenge, ensuring they will at least partially base their endorsement decisions on candidates’ willingness to “fight back against the Trump agenda, protect our democracy, and access to the ballot, and be fully committed to the progressive gains we have made in the Garden State over the past seven years.” 
 
The coalition further extended an invitation for Democratic gubernatorial candidates to attend a Build and Defend New Jersey candidate forum, sponsored by the groups and hosted by US Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) on March 2 at 1 p.m., location to be determined. Candidates will have the opportunity to present their proposals to address the many challenges facing New Jersey at the forum.    
The Build and Defend New Jersey Challenge does not guarantee a blanket endorsement, as coalition members will conduct independent evaluations. But candidates are encouraged to back its principles.  
 
“The Trump administration has relentlessly targeted immigrant communities, from daily ICE raids to assaults on critical programs that help working families. This has caused immense strain and harm. It is crucial that the next governor take a firm stand against policies that endanger our communities and families. At this pivotal moment in our state’s history, we need leaders who will protect our democracy, uphold our rights, and stand resolute against the MAGA agenda that threatens to reverse the progress we've achieved,” said Nedia Morsy, Deputy Director of Make the Road Action. 
 
“Our next governor must stand up to the Trump administration’s continuing assault on our nation’s democratic institutions, our most vulnerable populations, and the programs and services that keep our communities and families healthy and safe,” said New Jersey Citizen Action Executive Director Dena Mottola Jaborska. “The Trump administration’s order to freeze federal funding could cut or curtail hundreds of millions of dollars of services, which would be devastating for countless New Jerseyans who depend on them.” 
 
"New Jersey needs a bold leader who will stand up for workers and defend our state's values against cruel federal policies that target the most vulnerable in our communities," said Ana Maria Hill, 32BJ SEIU New Jersey State Director. "While we face challenges from the federal government, there is much we can and must accomplish in New Jersey. From advancing state labor standards, defending critical social programs that support working families, to standing beside our immigrant communities. We can't let the progress we've built slip away. Our next governor must be a champion for working families and all workers who underpin this state." 
 
"The 2025 New Jersey gubernatorial race represents a critical moment for working families," said Dennis Trainor, CWA District 1 Vice President. "As representatives of public and private employees who provide essential services and make our great state run, we're witnessing firsthand the devastating impact of recent federal action on our communities. Our 70,000 members across New Jersey stand ready to support candidates who demonstrate a genuine commitment to protecting workers' rights, defending public services, and advancing economic and social justice. CWA will mobilize behind a leader who understands that solidarity means standing with all New Jerseyans. The stakes are too high for anything less."    
 
"In the midst of a historic attack on working families by Donald Trump and his MAGA cronies, we need a governor who will stand up for New Jersey families," said Sunni Vargas, New Jersey Working Families Political Director. "This joint letter will help create unity among advocates who are fighting to protect our working families by strengthening our democracy, ensuring corporate billionaire CEOs are paying their fair share and that we are investing in our schools, our public transportation and clean energy." 
 
"The past few days have already shown us that a MAGA movement in Washington is attacking our fundamental institutions, including higher education. Now, more than ever, we need a governor who will stand strong on behalf of New Jersey values and ensure that our institutions of higher learning have the funding and support they need to prepare the next generation of students for the 21st century," said Rebecca Givan, President, Rutgers AAUP-AFT. 
 
“Medicaid is a lifeline for millions in New Jersey, including the patients our members care for every single day, “said Jason Ajiake, 1199SEIU, NJ Political Director. “We need a leader who won’t just accept federal rollbacks but will fight to protect working families and their right to care. But we know that no issue stands alone, and our members do not exist in a bubble. That’s why we are standing together — labor and community — to urge every candidate to sign the Build and Defend New Jersey pledge.”  
 
In its first two weeks, the Trump administration authorized daily ICE raids that have shaken countless New Jersey communities, rolled back DEI initiatives, denied the existence of transgender people, and pardoned thousands of convicted criminals who sought to overthrow democracy on January 6, 2021.  
 
Trump has likely abused presidential power through an executive order denying birthright citizenship, and another order freezing all federal funding; this last action threatens critical services that include rape and violence prevention, addiction treatment and prevention, housing assistance, job readiness, and early learning childcare throughout New Jersey. 
 
The coalition’s challenge urges candidates to protect New Jersey’s democracy and access to the ballot, usher in reforms to fight corruption, stop MAGA attacks on our communities and be fully committed to the progressive gains we have made in the Garden State over the past seven years.   
 
Build and Defend New Jersey will call specifically for candidates to: 
 
1. Lead actions that both fight cuts in federal funding and create solutions /state-level policy to ensure the continuity of programs and expansion of critical assistance for housing, child-care, food, healthcare and human needs. Support a State budget that maintains state funding for state and local public services, education, transportation and that will, in the event of federal cuts, protect safety net programs by eliminating tax giveaways, and capturing revenues from lowered rates to the wealthy and/or corporations.   
2. Protect democracy in NJ, support more inclusive and expanded voting rights, ballot access, the fairness of the ballot including elimination of the county line, and that strengthens public access to public records and information. 
 
3. Support progressive tax policies that promote equity and support our state’s fiscal health, expand tax credits for low-income and working families. Oppose tax cuts for the wealthiest households and corporations that deepen income 
inequality and concentrate wealth to the top. 
 
4. Actively promote State protections from attacks on immigrants. Defend equal protection for all people including sexual orientation, gender, race and all protected classes.  
 
5. Fight back against the dismantling of regulations that protect the environment, unions, workers, and consumer rights and prevent price gouging.   
 
Coalition groups also called on candidates to protect and build upon the gains in socio-economic and political equity made in New Jersey over much of the past decade. In recent years, the state has seen the abolishment of the county line, a temporary workers’ bill of rights, drivers’ licenses for undocumented immigrants, greatly expanded access to affordable, quality health care, and a living minimum wage, among other key reforms. 
 
SIGNATORIES  
  
SEIU 32BJ  
Make the Road Action  
New Jersey Citizen Action  
New Jersey Working Families Party  
CWA District 1  
CWA Local 1014  
CWA Local 1038  
CWA Local 1081  
CWA Local 1065  
CWA Local 1037  
CWA Local 1077  
CWA Local 1089 
1199SEIU UHWE: NJ Region  
Rutgers AAUP-AFT  
New Jersey Tenants Organization  
New Jersey Public Education Coalition  
Indivisible Garden State Values  
Indivisible Central New Jersey  
Indivisible Highland Park  
IFPTE Local 194  
IFPTE Local 195  
PTLFC-AAUP-AFT (Rutgers Adjunct Union)  
Latino Action Network  
Blue Wave New Jersey  
New Jersey Communities United  
SOMA Action  
Action Together NJ