The Amalgamated Transit Union is endorsing Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop for governor in the first labor endorsement of the 2025 statewide race.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
The ATU is the largest public transit workers union in the country and has more than 8,000 members in New Jersey.
“We are riding with Fulop. ATU is proud to be the first union to endorse Steve, and hopefully, others will follow right behind us. They should. It’s a no-brainer,” ATU International President John A. Costa said in a statement.
Costa, a New Jersey native, previously served as Chairman of the ATU’s NJ State Council and began his career at NJ Transit.
The current ATU NJ State Council Chair, Orlando Riley, praised Fulop’s track record as mayor, which is not surprisingly considering the group endorsed him in 2017 and 2021 as well.
“From being among the first in the state to begin paying city employees a minimum of $15 an hour to expanding paid family sick leave, Mayor Fulop and his team have demonstrated that they stand by the core values of ATU,” noted Riley.
“Mayor Fulop is an old school Democrat who makes sure that we don’t throw anyone under the bus. He sees transit as a basic human right. He has fought for the rights of our members and our riders.”
Fulop is the only declared candidate for governor at this time and has previously announcement endorsements from the mayors of Atlantic City, Westfield, Clinton, and Hillside.
“Modernizing New Jersey’s public transit system is one of our state’s greatest needs, and there is no one I would rather have helping me accomplish that goal than the hardworking men and women of the Amalgamated Transit Union,” he said.
“I believe strongly that we need to think big on public transit to build a reimagined system that efficiently moves people to major job centers, takes cars off the roads to reduce traffic and fight climate change, and supports equitable economic development. I’m thankful to ATU International President John A. Costa, ATU NJ State Council Chair Orlando Riley and their entire membership for their support.”
Costa also vowed that the union “we will be getting out in full force to elect Fulop” by registering members to vote, encouraging them to vote, and engaging riders.
Ray Greaves, a former Bayonne councilman and the founding board member of the Fund for Quality Leadership Fund – a relatively new super PAC linked to Fulop – has previously served as the ATU International vice president and ATU New Jersey State Council chair.
