Megan O’Rourke, one of nine Democrats running for New Jersey’s competitive 7th congressional district, has picked up a notable new endorsement from the New Jersey State Council of Machinists, by far the largest union to have weighed in so far on the contest to unseat Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-Westfield).
“From rising economic pressures to the need for good-paying jobs, Megan has shown that she truly listens to the concerns of those she seeks to represent,” said State Council of Machinists President Cristino Vilorio, whose union represents more than 20,000 New Jersey workers. “We are confident that Megan will stand with our members in Washington, fighting for the rights and opportunities of working people.”
O’Rourke also earned an endorsement today from the American Federation of Government Employees Local 1012, a smaller union of around 500 government workers. Its the second AFGE local to get behind O’Rourke’s campaign; the first was the AFGE Local 3403, where O’Rourke had served as a union steward prior to entering the race for Congress.
“Her commitment to protecting collective bargaining rights, strengthening the VA, and defending the dignity of public service aligns with the values we fight for every day,” AFGE Local 3403 President Adam Cartagena said. “At a time when federal employees face unprecedented challenges – from staffing shortages to political attacks on our rights – Dr. O’Rourke stands with us. She listens, she leads, and she acts.”
A former climate scientist at the USDA, O’Rourke is the only 7th district Democratic candidate to have gotten labor backing in a crowded and still-developing primary field. She is also running with an endorsement from former Rep. Rush Holt (D-Hopewell), himself a scientist who represented parts of the modern 7th district during his tenure in Congress.
