NJEA Endorses Congressman Payne in Democratic Primary 

State’s Largest Teachers Union Cites Rep. Payne’s Lifelong Commitment to Public Education and Record of Delivering for Educators

NEWARK, NJ – The New Jersey Education Association (NJEA), one of the state’s largest and most politically powerful labor organizations, is endorsing U.S. Representative Donald Payne, Jr., in the upcoming Democratic Primary election. Citing Rep. Payne’s lifelong commitment to public education and record of delivering for public schools and educators, the influential union is the first labor endorsement released by the Payne campaign.

“Our union is proud to endorse Congressman Payne for reelection,” said NJEA President Sean M. Spiller. “Throughout his time in office he has proven himself to be a champion for children, for working families and for the educators who make New Jersey’s public schools the best in the nation. At a time of growing inequality in so many areas of our society, we need leaders like Congressman Payne who are committed to justice and opportunity for all.”

Rep. Payne has always been a champion for public education and has worked hard in Washington in recent years to help students and teachers safely return to the classroom after the disruptions caused by COVID-19. He helped deliver $660 million in federal funds for public schools in the 10th Congressional District through his support of the American Rescue Plan. Congressman Payne has also been a major supporter of the Head Start program, reaching traditionally underserved communities and fully supporting access and robust funding for public education.

“Public school educators change lives, and having the support of the New Jersey Education Association reflects the commitment I’ve always had to ensuring that children in every community can get an exceptional public education,” said Congressman Payne. “Teachers and other school staff deserve to be fairly compensated, respected and given the resources they need to support the transformative work they do every day. I pledge to continue pursuing policies that support our public schools and our educators, like delivering federal funding to build new schools in our communities, expanding extracurricular programs and investing in early childhood education.”

A lifelong Newark resident, Congressman Donald Payne, Jr., is a champion for working families, Democratic values and fighting to provide more opportunities for people in urban communities. He’s a devoted husband and father and a former union member with a blue collar background who has an immense respect for the dignity of work and the value of organized labor. A five-term Congressman, he was first elected in 2012 to succeed his late father, the legendary Rep. Donald Payne, Sr., who was the first Black Congressman in state history. Congressman Payne is Chairman of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials in the powerful House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, which has jurisdiction over major infrastructure initiatives including the Gateway Project that are critical to New Jersey’s economy. Congressman Payne co-wrote the House version of President Joe Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure act and has supported critical progressive legislation like the Build Back Better plan, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, the Equality Act, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and much more.

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