Nov. 3 was the last day of voting in the longest, strangest and most consequential election in memory. But we know this for sure: NJEA members made a difference. For months, members worked on behalf of NJEA-PAC endorsed, pro-education candidates up and down the ballot, and we are already seeing the benefits of that hard work.
NJEA’s officers, President Marie Blistan, Vice President Sean M. Spiller and Secretary-Treasurer Steve Beatty congratulated President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on their decisive election victory.
“Today we are celebrating a victory for students, educators, working families and public schools,” the officers said. “After a long campaign, America has spoken clearly and has overwhelmingly chosen these two friends of public education to lead our nation. Their vision for public education, as well as for the students and families who rely on public schools as their gateway to the American Dream, is a large part of what drove them to their historic victory.
President-elect Biden rose from humble beginnings and overcame unspeakable personal tragedy to become a United States Senator, a vice president and now the 46th President of the United States,” they said. “Vice President-elect Harris is the first woman and the first woman of color elected to one of America’s highest offices. The child of immigrants, she epitomizes the American Dream and will inspire women and girls, as well as the children of immigrants, to reach for their highest aspirations.”
In other federal races here in New Jersey, Sen. Cory Booker was easily reelected, along with 10 of NJEA PAC’s 11 endorsed congressional candidates: Donald Norcross, Andy Kim, Josh Gottheimer, Frank Pallone, Tom Malinowski, Albio Sires, Bill Pascrell, Donald Payne, Mikie Sherrill and Bonnie Watson Coleman. Amy Kennedy, running in Congressional District (CD) 2, lost a very tight race that was not called in favor of her opponent, Jeff Van Drew, until Nov. 6.
New Jersey also had a special legislative election in LD-25 where NJEA PAC-endorsed candidates, Sen. Anthony Bucco and Assemblywoman Aura Dunn, retained their seats.
Local and county associations throughout New Jersey made endorsements in in 59 races for county and local offices with, as of press time, 56% of these endorsed candidates winning their seats. NJEA is also tracking results for 250 NJEA members who ran for local office across the state. These members will bring the voices of educators into positions of influence throughout New Jersey.