Union’s $40 Million Bid for Governor Falls Short in New Jersey Primary
In an ambitious attempt to influence the 2024 gubernatorial race, the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) allocated $40 million to support its president, Sean Spiller. However, Spiller’s campaign resulted in a disappointing fifth-place finish in the Democratic primary, securing a mere 11% of the vote, or approximately 86,000 votes—translating to a staggering cost of about $465 per vote.
The hefty expenditures stemmed from member dues, with annual professional memberships priced at $1,082 for educators and $520 for support staff. The funds were funneled through an independent committee backed by the NJEA, underscoring the union’s commitment to political advocacy. Notably, Spiller’s campaign was marked by significantly lower fundraising compared to his opponents, raising only $438,817, a fraction of the millions spent by leading candidates.
In defense of the spending, Spiller emphasized the necessity of having an educator in the gubernatorial race, suggesting that unions should not shy away from political engagement. "When it’s one of our own… why do we always have to hand it to someone else for it to be OK?" he stated.
Reactions to Spiller’s campaign and NJEA’s spending reveal a divide among educators. Some believe the initiative elevated critical teacher issues, while others, like Micah Rasmussen from the Rebovich Institute, argue it failed to enhance the broader discourse surrounding educators’ challenges.
Rep. Mikie Sherrill emerged victorious in the Democratic primary, while former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli garnered the Republican nomination. The race now gears up for the general election on November 4.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
