Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill will be the best choice for governor for New Jersey, based on her positions on a range of important issues, said Committee on Political Education (COPE) co-chair Kay Schechter in announcing Union of Rutgers Administrators endorsements for the important General Election November 4, 2025.
URA members spent hours researching state candidates’ records and positions on controlling healthcare costs for public workers, supporting civil liberties, DEI, open government, immigration rights, and funding for higher education institutions such as Rutgers to support the endorsement, according to COPE co-chair Brian Everett.
Based on the COPE recommendations, the local’s Executive Board made the endorsements at it’s September 8 meeting for Sherrill and many state Assembly candidates.
The committee works to educate members about the importance of participating in the political process. Prior to elections, volunteers reach out to union households to discuss the importance of voting for endorsed candidates.
To get involved and participate in outreach to other union families through direct home visits, phone calls and even texting programs see the list of opportunities to Talk to Union Members About The Election
The URA-AFT COPE is comprised of members who donates to the political fund through a payroll deduction at www.ura-aft.org/cope. Since dues money is not used for electoral political purposes, the funds donated there go to support programs for candidates members believe represent our interests in Trenton and Washington, DC.
While we bargain our contract directly with Rutgers, state health benefits (SHBP), retirement programs including the 401k-style Alternative Benefits Program (ABP) and the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) pension are administered through the state for Rutgers workers, said URA President Christine O’Connell. “Our COPE is one of the ways we reach out to advocate for policies which support our members interests and build political power for unions to benefit working families.”
Governor – Mikie Sherrill
State Assembly
District 1 Carolyn Rush, Carol Sabo
District 2 Maureen Rowan, Joanne Famularo
District 3 Dave Bailey Jr., Heather Simmons
District 4 Cody Miller
District 5 William Moen Jr
District 6 Melinda Kane
District 7 Carol Murphy, Balvir Singh
District 8 Anthony Angelozzi, Andrea Katz
District 9 Lisa Bennett, Rosalee Keech
District 10 Janine Bauer, Debra DiDonato
District 12 Kyler Dineen, Freshta Taeb
District 13 Jason Corley, Vaibhav Gorige
District 14 Wayne DeAngelo, Tennille McCoy
District 15 Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, Anthony Verrelli
District 16 Mitchelle Drulis, Roy Freiman
District 17 Joseph Danielsen, Kevin Egan
District 18 Robert Karabinchak, Sterley Stanley
District 20 Ed Rodriguez
District 21 Vincent Kearney, Andrew Macurdy
District 23 Guy Citron, Tyler Powell
District 24 Steve Barratt, Eugene Grinberg
District 25 Steven Pylypchuck, Marissa Sweeney
District 26 Michael Mancuso, Walter Mielarczyk
District 27 Rosy Bagolie, Alixon Collazos-Gill
District 28 Chigozie Onyema, Cleopatra Tucker
District 29 Eliana Pintor Marin, Shanique Speight
District 30 Clair Deicke
District 32 Ravi Bhalla, Katie Brennan
District 33 Gabriel Rodriguez
District 34 Carmen Morales, Michael Venezia
District 35 Al Abdelaziz, Kenyatta Stewart
District 37 Shama Haider, Ellen Park
District 39 Donna Abene, Andrew LaBruno
District 40 Ron Arnau, Jeffrey Gates
Special Senate District 35 Benjie Wimberly
Jersey City Council
Ward B Joel Brooks
Ward D Jake E Phros
