CWA Endorses 13 Pro-Worker Candidates for NJ Assembly

The Communications Workers of America (CWA) District 1 announced their endorsement of 13 pro-worker candidates for the New Jersey State Assembly on Wednesday, citing the urgent need to maintain a strong labor-friendly majority in the legislature. The endorsements come as the union warns that increasing attacks on organized labor and rising costs of living have made legislative support for working families more critical than ever.

In a statement released Wednesday, CWA officials emphasized that their endorsed candidates have demonstrated strong commitments to addressing New Jersey’s affordability crisis and protecting workers’ rights. The endorsements represent a significant boost for the selected candidates ahead of the upcoming primary elections.

Union Cites Affordability Crisis as Key Concern

“Now more than ever, as New Jersey has become increasingly unaffordable and attacks on workers – particularly those in the public sector – have ramped up from all angles, we know how incredibly important it is to have elected leaders in Trenton who will fight for working families,” said Dennis Trainor, Vice President of CWA District 1, according to Insider NJ.

The union has been vocal about skyrocketing healthcare costs driving New Jersey’s affordability crisis, a issue that particularly affects public employees. CWA represents more than 70,000 working families in New Jersey, including approximately 40,000 state workers and 15,000 county and municipal employees.

The endorsements signal which candidates the powerful union will support with financial resources and grassroots organizing in the coming months, potentially providing crucial advantages in competitive districts.

Healthcare Costs Take Center Stage

Rising healthcare premiums for public employees featured prominently in the union’s announcement, with CWA officials connecting these increases to broader affordability challenges facing New Jersey residents. The union has advocated for legislation that would achieve more affordable rates for state and local employees while increasing transparency in healthcare governance.

According to CWA’s 2025 New Jersey Legislative Agenda, healthcare premiums for public employees are “skyrocketing, making healthcare increasingly unaffordable for union members across the State.” The union has pushed for reforms to the State Health Benefits Commission to allow for meaningful oversight of healthcare costs.

These healthcare concerns align with broader national trends of rising medical expenses outpacing wage growth, creating financial pressure on working families despite New Jersey’s relatively high median income.

Anti-Union Efforts Draw Pushback

The CWA announcement specifically referenced growing “attacks on unions and working people” as motivation for their political engagement in the upcoming election cycle. The union has positioned itself as a bulwark against efforts to undermine collective bargaining rights and worker protections.

Among the union’s legislative priorities is a ban on anti-union “captive audience meetings,” which they describe as a tool employers use to dissuade workers from joining unions. CWA has advocated for legislation prohibiting mandatory anti-union meetings and protecting workers from retaliation for refusing to participate.

The endorsements align with CWA’s broader strategy of building political power to advance labor-friendly policies at a time when union membership nationwide has faced significant challenges.

Pension Funding and Public Services Prioritized

Protecting the state pension system remains a top priority for CWA, which represents a significant portion of public employees enrolled in the system. The union has advocated for maintaining full pension payments and ensuring long-term stability for retirement benefits.

CWA’s legislative agenda also emphasizes opposition to privatization of public services, which the union argues “often prioritizes profit over public good, leading to reduced accountability, higher costs, and poorer service quality.” This position reflects the union’s interest in maintaining public sector employment levels.

Other priorities include expanding eligibility for childcare subsidies and increasing funding for in-home child care providers and licensed child care centers, addressing work-life balance concerns that affect many CWA members.

Election Impact and Campaign Support

The CWA endorsements will translate into tangible campaign support for the selected candidates, potentially including financial contributions, member volunteers for phone banking and door-knocking operations, and coordinated messaging to union households.

With primary elections approaching and control of the legislature at stake, labor union endorsements represent critical resources for candidates in competitive districts. CWA’s endorsement brings the backing of one of the state’s largest and most politically active unions.

The complete list of endorsed candidates was released on the union’s website, with officials indicating that CWA members will be actively involved in campaign activities “all the way through the last hour of Election Day” to support their chosen candidates.