The Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) Eastern Regional is endorsing the Hudson County Democratic Organization’s (HCDO) six candidates in Legislative Districts 31, 32, and 33 for the June 10th primary.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“There is nothing more important than making sure our members are given the opportunity to work within their respective communities, on projects that are committed to high standards for safety and workplace fairness,” LIUNA Vice President and Eastern Regional Manager Mike Hellstrom, Jr. said in a statement.
“I believe this election is critical to making sure that goal is attained. Under the leadership of County Executive Craig Guy, Hudson County has focused on Project Labor Agreements to ensure that the local union workforce is employed and fair and equitable workplace standards or set and enforced.”
In LD-31, the HCDO is supporting Assemblyman Will Sampson and Hudson County Commissioner Jerry Walker against Assemblywoman Barbara McCann Stamato and Bayonne 2nd Ward Councilwoman Jackie Weimmer.
They are on Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop’s “Democrats for Change” gubernatorial ticket.
“As strong supporters of union labor, we are exceptionally proud to receive this endorsement. We understand what it means to work each day and only hope for the continued opportunity to earn a living and accomplish something that will provide benefit,” Walker and Sampson said in a joint statement.
“The men and women of LIUNA are oftentimes on the frontlines in our communities, working on projects that create jobs and provide housing for so many of our neighbors. They help breathe life into our streets and neighborhoods and we look forward to the opportunity to fight to provide livable wages and safe and healthy work environments.”
Hoboken Public Library Director Jennie Pu and Jersey City Director of Buildings and Street Maintenance Crystal Fonseca have the backing of the HCDO in LD-32.
In that district, Assemblywoman Jessica Ramirez and Jersey City Ward D Councilman Yousef Saleh are running with Fulop, while Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla and Jersey City activist Katie Brennan are bracketing together.
“As first time candidates for the New Jersey General Assembly, it has been exciting to see the tremendous energy for our campaign build each day. Over these past months we have had the great privilege of speaking with so many people throughout the district who have benefited from the important work in our communities put forward by LIUNA members,” Put and Fonseca noted in a joint statement.
“So many of the places we all live and work have had the benefit of union labor, which means work we know will stand the test of time. If elected, we want to work in partnership to make sure we are providing housing that’s affordable and jobs for district families.”
Finally, in LD-33, the HCDO is running Assemblyman Gabriel Rodriguez and Larry Wainstein against “Democrats for Change” candidates Tony Hector and Frank Alonso.
“Over the course of our careers we have both had the opportunity to work with the men and women of LIUNA Eastern Region on countless projects. We know that when Mike Hellstrom and the Laborers are involved the work will be quality and our budgets will be achieved,” Rodriguez and Wainstein said in a joint statement.
“It’s a great honor to know they have the same respect for our work and similar expectations for a future that prioritizes safe and healthy working environments and tremendous projects that put Hudson families to work.”
LIUNA is also a big supporter of U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill’s (D-11) bid for governor, who the HCDO is support over Fulop in the primary.
