The Jersey City Education Association has rescinded their endorsement of Assemblyman Nick Chiaravalloti (D-31) over a campaign flyer paid for by a group they have been at odds with for years.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“The incumbents in this election, Angela McKnight and Nick Chiaravalloti claim to care about quality public education, standing up to Donald Trump and fully funding our schools,” began an email from the JCEA they sent yesterday.
“But how can they stand up to Donald Trump and still be willing to take money and support from an organization with clear ties to Betsy DeVos and Donald Trump, who are actively seeking to privatize our schools by cutting funding and pursuing a voucher system?”
The email goes on to say that the incumbents claims are based in “alternative fact,” given that they recently had campaign literature paid for by Better Education 4 NJ Kids, a super PAC that is linked to charter school advocates David Tepper and Shelley Skinner.
JCEA President Ron Greco said that the organization would now only be endorsing Kristen Zadroga Hart, a longtime campaign operative and off-the-line challenger to McKnight and Chiaravalloti.
Hart is running with Bayonne Board of Education Trustee Christopher Munoz.
Following the lead of the JCEA, the New Jersey Education Association PAC endorsed Hart and Chiaravalloti earlier this month and they will be sticking by that decision, an NJEA spokesman told Hudson County View this morning.
In a statement, Chiaravalloti defended his record by pointing to the fact he still has the support of the NJEA.
“I have been endorsed by the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) because I am a strong all on all of the issues that are important to teachers, like fully funding our public schools and getting rid of high- stakes standardized testing requirements,” he said.
“It’s surprising to see the Jersey City Education Association break with their state organization in this way, but this will not deter from doing what’s right and fighting for public education.”
Editor’s Note: This story was updated with a comment from Assemblyman Nick Chiaravalloti (D-31).
