The powerful New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) today released its endorsements of 70 candidates for the Assembly and one candidate for the state Senate in the special election in District 6.

The organization's list features the usual favorable tilt toward Democrats - 47 of them received endorsements, compared to 24 Republicans - with Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo (D-Hamilton) notably picking up an endorsement in the 14th from the same outfit that dissed him in his freshman run two years ago.

The organization did not endorse anyone in the District 23 special election, a lock Republican district where conservative Assemblyman Michael Doherty (R-Washington Twp.) is running.

Also of interest is the organization's endorsement of only Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-Sayreville) in District 19, and not his embattled running mate, South Amboy Mayor John O'Leary, whom Wisniewski has asked to stand down while the mayor attempts to clear his name of corruption allegations that surfaced anonymously in a packet and distributed on the streets.

The teachers' union, moreover, decided against making an endorsement in the Republican-leaning 12th Legislative District, where Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon (R-Little Silver) and Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande (D-Colts Neck) face a challenge from Manalapan Township Committeewoman Michelle Roth and Tinton Falls teacher John Amberg.

Endorsements in what some insiders see as a competitive 36th District - that's Assemblyman Fred Scalera (D-Nutley) and Assemblyman Gary Schaer (D-Passaic) - will be announced at a "later date," according to the NJEA.  

The NJEA, which officially endorsed Gov. Jon Corzine last month, took some extra time to heap praise on Corzine's running mate, state Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Teaneck).

“This is a critical election for public education in New Jersey,” said NJEA President Joyce Powell. “NJEA is pleased to support candidates from both sides of the aisle who share a common commitment to quality public education.

“As a State Senator, Loretta Weinberg has been endorsed by NJEA every time she has been on the ballot,” Powell said. “She’s a proven, tenacious advocate for strong public schools, and has sponsored or co-sponsored many NJEA-supported bills, including numerous health care initiatives, child safety laws, and paid family leave. She is an ideal running mate for Governor Corzine."

GOP gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie decided not to pursue the organization's endorsement.

“Now more than ever, New Jersey must continue to invest in quality public education,” Powell said. “In good and bad economic times, public schools are a leading indicator of how well local and state economies perform. In New Jersey, we’ve made a major investment in our public schools, and that investment has paid off. We lead the nation with the best high school graduation rate and our public schools are among the best in the nation in preparing students for higher education. NJEA is committed to supporting pro-public education legislators who will help maintain our successes.”

The NJEA PAC voted on the recommendations of local interview teams from each district, said Powell. They made the endorsements on Saturday, Aug. 1, during NJEA’s annual Summer Leadership Conference.

          LD 1 – Nelson Albano (D) and Matthew Milam (D)

• LD 2 – John F. Amodeo (R) and Vincent J. Polistina (R)
• LD 3 – John J. Burzichelli (D) and Celeste M. Riley (D)
• LD 4 – Paul Moriarty (D) and William Collins (D)
• LD 5 – Joe Roberts (D) and Angel Fuentes (D)
• LD 6 – Senate: James Beach (D); Assembly: Louis D. Greenwald (D) and Pamela R. Lampitt (D)
• LD 7 – Herb Conaway (D) and Jack Conners (D)
• LD 8 – Dawn Marie Addiego (R) and Scott Rudder (R)
• LD 9 – Brian E. Rumpf (R) and Robert E. Rue (D)
• LD 10 – David W. Wolfe (R) and Jim Holzapfel (R)
• LD 11 – David P. Rible (R) and Mary Pat Angelini (R)
• LD 12 – No endorsements
• LD 13 – Samuel D. Thompson (R) and Amy H. Handlin (R)
• LD 14 – Linda R. Greenstein (D) and Wayne P. DeAngelo (D)
• LD 15 – Reed Gusciora (D) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D)
• LD 16 – Peter J. Biondi (R) and Denise M. Coyle (R)
• LD 17 – Joseph V. Egan (D) and Upendra J. Chivukula (D)
• LD 18 – Patrick J. Diegnan, Jr. (D) and Peter J. Barnes (D)
• LD 19 – John S. Wisniewski (D)
• LD 20 – Joseph Cryan (D) and Annette Quijano (D)
• LD 21 – Jon Bramnick (R) and Nancy F. Munoz (R)
• LD 22 – Gerald “Jerry” Green (D) and Linda Stender (D)
• LD 23 – Senate: No endorsement; Assembly: John DiMaio (R)
• LD 24 – No endorsements
• LD 25 – Anthony Bucco (R)
• LD 26 – Alex DeCroce (R)
• LD 27 – John F. McKeon (D) and Mila M. Jasey (D)
• LD 28 – Cleopatra G. Tucker (D) and Ralph R. Caputo (D)
• LD 29 – L. Grace Spencer (D) and Albert Coutinho (D)
• LD 30 – Joseph R. Malone, III (R) and Ronald S. Dancer (R)
• LD 31 – Anthony Chiappone (D) and Charles Mainor (D)
• LD 32 – Joan Quigley (D) and Vincent Prieto (D)
• LD 33 – Ruben J. Ramos, Jr. (D) and Caridad Rodriguez (D)
• LD 34 – Thomas P. Giblin (D) and Sheila Y. Oliver (D)
• LD 35 – Nellie Pou (D) and Elease Evans (D)
• LD 36 – Endorsements to be decided at a later date
• LD 37 – Gordon M. Johnson (D) and Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D)
• LD 38 – Connie Wagner (D) and Joan M. Voss (D)
• LD 39 – Charlotte Vandervalk (R) and Robert Schroeder (R)
• LD 40 – David C. Russo (R) and Scott T. Rumana (R)