In an unexpected and favorable shift in political support, a labor union that previously backed Democratic incumbent Gov. Phil Murphy during his reelection campaign four years ago has decided to endorse Jack Ciattarelli. Ciattarelli, a Republican, opposed Murphy in the 2021 New Jersey governor’s race and is running again in this November’s election.

What does this endorsement really mean beyond the catchy phrases for political advertisements on New Jersey television? As reported by the local news outlet, The New Jersey Globe, it means quite a bit: [emphasis added]

The union, with its 8,000 members, is capable of providing Ciattarelli with on-the-ground support during his campaign, alongside the ability to allocate substantial funds through independent spending to bolster his chances of winning.

Ciattarelli won the Republican nomination just over a week ago – after gaining Pres. Trump’s endorsement back in May. Gov. Murphy is term-limited.

The union’s business manager, Greg Lalevee, listed in a statement a few reasons why they went with the Republican nominee this time  – and at least one of them could be a bellwether for 2026 on the Democrat bases’ stomach for standing with green energy pushers:

“New Jersey is at a crossroads. We face an energy crisis, an affordability crisis, and a crisis of common sense. The solutions are basic but may not be politically popular. We need a Governor who will tackle our challenges and not cave to the fringe political voices.” 

He hinted that the members will also like the candidate’s policy stances on illegal immigration:

He said that Ciattarelli’s position on immigration will be popular with blue-collar union members, and noted that President Donald Trump, who endorsed Ciattarelli, last week directed federal agencies to honor union .

Here’s where he sticks the knife in with the Democrats:

“The notion that we can do this without natural gas is insane,” Lalevee told the New Jersey Globe. “We can’t get there just on solar.  That’s impossible.”

No shock here, but the Dems’ candidate boasts the endorsement of the radical environmental group, The Sierra Club.