The already crowded Democratic field for the 2025 New Jersey gubernatorial primary is set to get even more competitive this week, with Congressman Josh Gottheimer expected to announce his candidacy on Friday and Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill likely to follow with her announcement on Monday. Both candidates are quickly emerging as front-runners, with Gottheimer drawing significant support from Hudson and Bergen counties and a sizable war chest, while Sherrill is gaining momentum in Essex, Middlesex, and Passaic counties.
Both Gottheimer and Sherrill have already received numerous pledges of endorsement as they gear up for their campaigns. Gottheimer has secured pledges from two Essex County towns, West Orange and North Caldwell, along with backing from various community leaders. Meanwhile, Sherrill has garnered her own support, including an endorsement from the New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association (NJ FMBA).
Today, the Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey (PFANJ) issued a statement expressing its strong support for Congressman Josh Gottheimer.
“Since his first day in Congress, Josh Gottheimer has been a steadfast ally to first responders, tirelessly advocating for our needs in Washington,” said PFANJ President Matthew Caliente.
“Congressman Gottheimer’s efforts have had a tangible impact on the lives of those who risk their lives every day to protect our communities,” President Caliente added. “We stand with Josh, just as he has always stood with us. He embodies the leadership qualities we’re looking for in our next governor.”
This endorsement from the PFANJ represents a significant moment in the race, marking a major split with the NJ FMBA, which has thrown its support behind Mikie Sherrill. It is also the third union to back Gottheimer, joining the State Council of Machinists and the Operating Engineers.
The PFANJ represents nearly 3,500 members across over 60 local unions, including more than 3,000 of New Jersey’s approximately 6,000 professional firefighters.
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In the upcoming 2025 Governor’s race in New Jersey, there is a growing division among firefighter unions that could have a significant impact on the outcome of the election. The rift between the unions has been brewing for some time, but it has come to a head as candidates begin to announce their intentions to run for office.
One of the main points of contention among the firefighter unions is the issue of pension reform. Some unions believe that the current pension system is unsustainable and in need of reform in order to ensure the long-term financial stability of the state. These unions are backing candidates who support pension reform and are willing to make tough decisions in order to address the issue.
On the other side of the divide are unions that are staunchly opposed to any changes to the pension system. They argue that firefighters have dedicated their lives to public service and deserve to have a secure retirement without having to worry about cuts to their benefits. These unions are throwing their support behind candidates who promise to protect the current pension system at all costs.
The division among firefighter unions is not just limited to the issue of pension reform. There are also disagreements over issues such as staffing levels, equipment funding, and training requirements. These differences in priorities have led to a fractured landscape within the firefighter community, with some unions aligning themselves with one candidate while others support a different contender.
The split among firefighter unions is likely to have a significant impact on the Governor’s race in 2025. With firefighters being such a crucial constituency in New Jersey, their support can make or break a candidate’s chances of winning office. Candidates will need to carefully navigate this divide in order to secure the backing of these influential unions.
As the race heats up, it will be interesting to see how the division among firefighter unions plays out and which candidate ultimately emerges victorious. The outcome of the election could have far-reaching implications for the future of firefighting in New Jersey and beyond.
