For months, NJEA members have been working on behalf of NJEA and NEA-endorsed pro-education candidates up and down the ballot during this historic election cycle, and the benefits of that hard work were evident on Election Night.
While national results are not yet available, New Jersey voters enthusiastically supported the Harris-Walz ticket. With an historic number of Garden State voters casting ballots either on Election Day or via mail or early voting, New Jersey sent the powerful message that we are not going back. Total voter turnout nationally, after all votes are counted, is expected to be the highest in history, and every vote must be counted.
Andy Kim, who has represented New Jersey’s Third Congressional District since 2019, and who played a memorable and moving role in the cleanup after the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, was elected as the first Asian-American person to represent New Jersey in the Senate.
NJEA’s officers, President Sean Spiller, Vice President Steve Beatty and Secretary-Treasurer Petal Robertson, released this statement:
“We are so proud of the work that NJEA members did over the past few months to help ensure victory for pro-public education candidates in New Jersey and beyond. We were out in force across New Jersey and in Pennsylvania to win the future that our students and our families deserve. We made phone calls, knocked on doors and voted for that future. “
Beatty and Robertson released an additional statement about the upcoming 2025 election in New Jersey:
“We believe our members’ big win in New Jersey in 2024 sets the table for 2025, when we will choose New Jersey’s next governor. And we are confident that the power our members displayed in this election will be shown again next year when our endorsed candidate, Sean Spiller is on the ballot.”
NJEA is also tracking results for 233 NJEA members who ran for local office across the state. Already, we know that many of them have been elected, bringing the voices of educators into positions of influence throughout New Jersey, and we expect many more victories as all the votes are counted.
The election of so many educators sends a strong signal that voters believe educators should be in positions of power. In 2025, NJEA president Sean Spiller will be on the ballot as a candidate for governor to give voice to educators, parents, working families and retirees across New Jersey.