{"id":2449430,"date":"2025-06-19T14:12:01","date_gmt":"2025-06-19T18:12:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-jersey-union-backs-republican-jack-ciattarelli-for-governor\/"},"modified":"2025-06-19T14:13:33","modified_gmt":"2025-06-19T18:13:33","slug":"new-jersey-union-backs-republican-jack-ciattarelli-for-governor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-jersey-union-backs-republican-jack-ciattarelli-for-governor\/","title":{"rendered":"New Jersey union backs Republican Jack Ciattarelli for governor"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fnew-jersey-union-backs-republican-jack-ciattarelli-for-governor%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2449430&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825 has endorsed Republican Jack Ciattarelli for governor of New jersey in the upcoming election, marking a shift from their previous support for Democratic incumbent Phil murphy. This endorsement is meaningful as it reflects the union&#8217;s concerns over energy policies under murphy, particularly the state&#8217;s transition from being a net exporter to a net importer of electricity. union <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/exclusive-cumulus-media-employees-are-required-to-receive-covid-vaccine-before-returning-to-the-office-leaked-memo-reveals\/\" title=\"EXCLUSIVE: Cumulus Media Employees Are Required To Receive COVID Vaccine Before Returning To The Office, Leaked Memo Reveals\">business manager<\/a> Greg Lalevee criticized the Murphy governance for obstructing numerous energy projects, leading to economic issues in the state. Ciattarelli&#8217;s proposals, which include support for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrats-environmentalists-stay-silent-on-us-energy-independence-amid-ukraine-crisis\/\" title=\"Democrats, Environmentalists Stay Silent On US Energy Independence Amid Ukraine Crisis\">natural gas projects<\/a>, contrast wiht Rep. Mikie Sherrill&#8217;s focus on solar energy solutions. The union&#8217;s support is seen as a boost for Ciattarelli, who narrowly lost to Murphy in the last election, as he aims to reclaim the governor&#8217;s mansion. The race is closely watched, with polls indicating a competitive contest.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">New Jersey union backs Republican Jack Ciattarelli&nbsp;for governor<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2143898\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>An influential <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/new-jersey\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">New Jersey<\/a> labor union backed the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/republican\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Republican<\/a> nominee in the state&rsquo;s closely watched <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/governor\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">governor<\/a>&lsquo;s election later this year.<\/p>\n<p>The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825 endorsed Jack Ciattarelli for governor on Thursday, four years after backing Gov. Phil Murphy (D-NJ) for reelection. The union also endorsed Murphy when he first ran for governor in 2017.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3447532\/la-city-council-loan-pay-police-overtime-anti-ice-protests\/\">LA City Council approves loan to pay for police overtime from anti-ICE protests<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3446813\/dan-goldman-zohran-mamdani-failing-condemn-phrase-globalize-the-intifada\/\">Jewish Democrat rebukes Mamdani for failing to condemn anti-Israel phrase &#8216;globalize the intifada&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3446847\/sparks-fly-trump-talk-heats-up-virginia-primary\/\">Sparks fly and Trump talk heats up after Virginia primary<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Ciattarelli, who is battling Rep. Mikie Sherrill&nbsp;(D-NJ), will now have the assistance of the 8,000-member union in his quest to flip the governor&rsquo;s mansion.<\/p>\n<p>Greg Lalevee, the union&rsquo;s business manager, told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> that the endorsement &ldquo;has to do with the problems that are facing New Jersey and the solutions offered to fix them. The biggest one really being in the energy space.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Lalevee pointed to New Jersey&rsquo;s transformation from a net exporter of electricity under Murphy in 2018 to a net importer &ldquo;to the tune of 3.4 gigawatts.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The Murphy administration either did not permit or sued or, in other ways, <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >administratively killed  billion worth<\/a> of energy projects,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Be those gas generators, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/top-democrat-senator-urges-biden-to-reverse-on-keystone-pipeline-14-ags-threaten-legal-action\/\" title=\"Top Democrat Senator Urges Biden To Reverse On Keystone Pipeline, 14 AGs Threaten Legal Action\">natural gas pipelines<\/a>, compressor stations, etc. You know, therein lies an economic problem, as you know, every state wants to attract data centers.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>In contrast, Ciattarelli has endorsed projects that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/natural-gas-industry-wants-to-break-the-poverty-cycle\/\" title=\"Gas industry aims to end poverty cycle\">utilize natural gas<\/a>, while Sherrill has advocated solar projects as a solution to the state&rsquo;s energy challenges.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Our view is that&rsquo;s not a real solution, where Mr. Ciattarelli is looking at real, real solutions that impact the bottom line of the state economy,&rdquo; Lalevee said.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s not going to be able to dig us out of the current issues that we have,&rdquo; he said of solar energy. &ldquo;If you can put it up and it can add to the grid, that&rsquo;s fine. Our members are happy to build solar fields, but we live in a very congested state.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>According to the union leader, Sherrill called him the day after the New Jersey primary and left a message asking to speak with him.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I returned that call the same day and left her a message that I was returning the call, and it&rsquo;s been silent since,&rdquo; Lalevee said. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m willing to listen all the time. You know, we&rsquo;re an organization that supports both Democrats and Republicans.&rdquo; <\/p>\n<p>The <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> reached out to the Sherrill campaign for comment.<\/p>\n<p>The union endorsement is another blow for Democrats, who are struggling with rank-and-file union members along with blue-collar voters after the 2024 election. <\/p>\n<p>Chris Russell, a Republican strategist working on Ciattarelli&rsquo;s campaign, called the union support &ldquo;a great endorsement for us&rdquo; in an interview with the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;They understand that Jack is the right candidate for a state that is facing an energy crisis, an affordability crisis, and a common sense crisis,&rdquo; Russell said.<\/p>\n<p>The Ciattarelli campaign narrowly lost the election to Murphy in 2021 by roughly 3 percentage points, 51.2%-48%. This time around, Ciattarelli&rsquo;s campaign hopes that the Democratic opponent will be defeated as the party seeks to regain ground under President Donald Trump&rsquo;s second term.<\/p>\n<p>Lalevee pointed to Trump&rsquo;s efforts to build natural gas pipelines in the region that will create jobs for the union and Ciattarelli&rsquo;s support of the efforts as another reason the group endorsed the GOP candidate.<\/p>\n<p>Ciattarelli&rsquo;s campaign is betting that the 2025 campaign will boost him to the governor&rsquo;s mansion, in a race that is seen as a political bellwether. Internal <a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsweek.com\/jack-ciattarelli-within-striking-distance-mikie-sherrill-internal-poll-2086356\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">polling<\/a> shows Ciattarelli within a few points of Sherrill, while a poll commissioned by a left-leaning group showed Sherrill comfortably ahead by 13 points.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I know we can pull it off,&rdquo; Russell said. &ldquo;He is going to outwork Mikie Sherrill without a doubt. He has a plan to fix the state. He&rsquo;s in command of the issues.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/3441025\/mikie-sherrill-endorsement-former-gop-new-jersey-governor-christine-todd-whitman\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong>FORMER GOP NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR ENDORSES DEMOCRAT MIKIE SHERRILL IN GUBERNATORIAL RACE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;And again, I think this endorsement says we&rsquo;re right on the issues,&rdquo; he added. &ldquo;And to win an endorsement like this says that we are the candidate who best represents the middle of the electorate.&rdquo; <\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/newjerseyglobe.com\/governor\/operating-engineers-endorse-ciattarelli-for-governor\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><em>New Jersey Globe<\/em><\/a>  first reported the endorsement.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2143898\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2143898\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>New Jersey union endorses Republican Jack Ciattarelli for governor<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2658,"featured_media":2449431,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Jack-Ciatta.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[4173,55116,33096,4701],"class_list":["post-2449430","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-governor","tag-jack-ciattarelli","tag-new-jersey","tag-union"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Jack-Ciatta.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2449430","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2658"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2449430"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2449430\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2449434,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2449430\/revisions\/2449434"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2449431"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2449430"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2449430"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2449430"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}