New Jobs PAC, a leading pro-business political action committee in the state, endorsed 68 candidates for the New Jersey State Assembly on Monday, most of whom are incumbents.
New Jobs Chair Tony Bawidamann said the endorsed candidates will help businesses in the state grow. New Jobs is affiliated with the New Jersey Business and Industry Association and other business groups, but operates independently.
“New Jobs is proud to support a slate of candidates committed to fostering a business climate that strengthens our economy, helps existing businesses grow, and attracts new ones to our state,” Bawidamann said.
New Jobs endorsed one challenger: former Assemblyman Brandon Umba in the 8th legislative district. But New Jobs put out three endorsements in that race, as the PAC also announced support for both incumbents, Assemblymembers Andrea Katz (D-Chesterfield) and Michael Torrisi Jr. (R-Hammonton). Hammonton teachers union leader Anthony Angelozzi, the second Democratic nominee, is the odd man out.
The PAC skipped endorsements in the 15th, 27th, 28th, and 32nd legislative districts. In the 20th, 22nd, 26th, 29th, and 37th legislative districts, the PAC endorsed just one candidate.
The PAC endorsed two likely new Assembly members who won their seats independently of party operations — Ed Rodriguez in the 20th and Kenyatta Stewart in the 35th — but declined to endorse Katie Brennan and Ravi Bhalla in the 32nd.
Endorsement list:
LD 1: Erik Simonsen (R), Antwan McClellan (R)
LD 2: Don Guardian (R), Claire Swift (R)
LD 3: Heather Simmons (D), Dave Bailey Jr. (D)
LD 4: Dan Hutchison (D), Cody Miller (D)
LD 5: William Spearman (D), William Moen Jr. (D)
LD 6: Lou Greenwald (D), Melinda Kane (D)
LD 7: Carol Murphy (D), Balvir Singh (D)
LD 8: Andrea Katz (D), Michael Torrissi Jr. (R), Brandon Umba (R)
LD 9: Greg Myhre (R), Brian Rumpf (R)
LD 10: Gregory McGuckin (R), Paul Kanitra (R)
LD 11: Margie Donlon (D), Luanne Peterpaul (D)
LD 12: Alex Sauickie (R), Robert Clifton (R)
LD 13: Vicky Flynn (R), Gerry Scharfenberger (R)
LD 14: Tennille McCoy (D), Wayne DeAngelo (D)
LD 16: Roy Freiman (D), Mitchelle Drulis (D)
LD 17: Joe Danielsen (D), Kevin Egan (D)
LD 18: Robert Karabinchak (D), Sterley Stanley (D)
LD 19: Yvonne Lopez (D), Craig Coughlin (D)
LD 20: Ed Rodriguez (D)
LD 21: Nancy Munoz (R), Michele Matsikoudis (R)
LD 22: Linda S. Carter (D)
LD 23: Erik Peterson (R), John DiMaio (R)
LD 24: Dawn Fantasia (R), Michael Inganamort (R)
LD 25: Christian Barranco (R), Aura Dunn (R)
LD 26: Jay Webber (R)
LD 29: Eliana Pintor Marin (D)
LD 30: Alexander “Avi” Schnall (D), Sean Kean (R)
LD 31: William Sampson (D), Jerry Walker (D)
LD 33: Gabriel Rodriguez (D), Larry Wainstein (D)
LD 34: Carmen Morales (D), Michael Venezia (D)
LD 35: Al Abdelaziz (D), Kenyatta Stewart (D)
LD 36: Gary Schaer (D), Clinton Calabrese (D)
LD 37: Ellen Park (D)
LD 38: Lisa Swain (D), Christopher Tully (D)
LD 39: Robert Auth (R), John Azzariti (R)
LD 40: Al Barlas (R), Christopher DePhillips (R)
