CWA District 1 Announces County and Municipal Endorsements Across New Jersey

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 16, 2026
Media Contact: Rodrigo Brandao, Story Justice Communications
[email protected] | (917) 434-6168

CWA DISTRICT 1 ANNOUNCES COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL ENDORSEMENTS ACROSS NEW JERSEY

NEW JERSEY -- The Communications Workers of America (CWA) District 1 today released its local government endorsements for the 2026 election cycle, spanning key county commissioner contests across New Jersey and additional city council and mayoral seats statewide.

CWA District 1 recognizes that some of the most consequential decisions that impact working families happen at the local level. County commissioners, city councils, and mayors determine budget priorities, affect labor relations, and can have a decisive role in the funding–or defunding–of critical public services. Electing labor allies in these races is essential to strengthening communities.

The union is backing candidates with proven records of standing with workers and unions, and supporting working-class communities over corporate interests. With over 70,000 members in New Jersey, CWA District 1 is mobilizing to ensure workers have a seat at the table wherever decisions are made. Here are the endorsements:

County Commissioners

- Essex County:

    - Christine McGrath – At-Large

    - Abdur R. Yasin – At-Large

    - Shawn Klein – At-Large

    - Wayne L. Richardson – At-Large

    - Medinah Muhammad – District 3

    - Leonard Luciano – District 4 (CWA member, Local 1037)

- Passaic County:

    - Ali Aljarrah

- Hudson County:

    - Bill O’Dea – District 2

    - Pam Johnson – District 3

    - Ron Bautista – District 5

    - Alex Valdez – District 9

- Burlington County:

    - Jonathan Chebra

    - Randy Brolo 

- Mercer County:

    - John A. Cimino 

    - Lucylle R. S. Walter 

Municipal & Mayoral

- Newark: Ras Baraka for Mayor and his Team Baraka Slate for City Council

- Paterson: Lilisa Mimms – Paterson City Council – At-Large

- Pemberton Township: Belinda Fontanez  for Mayor (CWA member, Local 1036)

From city halls to Congress, CWA District 1 is dedicated to electing leaders who will fight for working families, protect public services, defend workers’ rights, and advance economic justice in every corner of New Jersey. 

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CWA District 1 represents over 160,000 active and retired members across New York, New Jersey, and New England in public service, telecommunications, media, healthcare, manufacturing, and other sectors, including roughly 70,000 members in New Jersey.