The SEIU New Jersey State Council, representing 40,000 service workers in the private and public sectors around the state, today announced its endorsement of U.S. Rep. Steve Rothman in the 9^th Congressional District.  

“Congressman Rothman has consistently taken those important extra steps for our working men and women who are the backbone of New Jersey, and that is why the SEIU New Jersey State Council will support him all the way to the voting polls,” said Rahaman Muhammad, Council President and President of Newark-based SEIU Local 617.

“Congressman Rothman has always demonstrated leadership and in light of the challenges that labor faces here in New Jersey and across the nation, we now need him more than ever to have a voice in issues affecting the lives of our working people, our families and our state,” said Milly Silva, Council Vice President and Executive Vice President of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, New Jersey Region.

“Whenever SEIU has called on Congressman Rothman to get involved with the issues facing our working men and women right here in New Jersey, he has enthusiastically and with no hesitation stepped up to the plate and we are confident he will continue to do so,” said Kevin Brown, Council Secretary/Treasurer  and the New Jersey State Director for Local 32BJ.

The endorsement thrilled Rothman.

"I am very proud and delighted to receive this endorsement," said the congressman. "I have worked on many important projects with this outstanding union to make certain that working people are compensated fairly, have strong collective bargaining rights and have safe work environments. SEIU is well known throughout America as a labor organization that goes all out to make sure their candidates win. Our campaign is looking forward to working with the leadership and rank and file of SEIU, to ensure that I may continue in Congress fighting for working men and women, and all the people of New Jersey's Ninth District."

State Senator Paul Sarlo called the endorsement a game-changer.

“The SEIU is one of the most powerful and prestigious labor organizations and both campaign teams went after this endorsement with everything they had," Sarlo said. "Coupled with the earlier endorsement of La Aliaza Civica Ministerial, an organization that represents 120 Latino churches in Passaic County, this means that Steve’s campaign will have a very powerful ground game throughout the entire Ninth District, not just in Bergen and Hudson counties.  It will be very difficult for the Pascrell campaign to recover from this week’s events.”