NJEA’s Significant Investment in Governor Race Raises Concerns

The New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) has invested over $40 million into the state’s gubernatorial race, backing the union president in support of certain candidates.

NJEA President Sean Spiller finished fifth in the Democratic primary, receiving only 10% of the total vote on June 10. Reports from Politico indicate that his campaign was backed by a super PAC, directly funded by the NJEA. Prior to this backing, Spiller struggled to raise enough funds to qualify for the Democratic debate.

Spiller did not provide a comment when approached for a statement.

Following these losses, state Democrats have expressed their concerns regarding the union’s spending. Democratic state Senator Vin Gopal, who leads the Senate Education Committee, noted that local teachers are “very frustrated” with how the money was used, calling the situation a “concern.” He questioned the strength of the NJEA moving forward, indicating uncertainty about their influence.

An anonymous former NJEA official reiterated these concerns, suggesting that the costly support did not seem like a wise investment. This official mentioned that the credibility of NJEA leadership might have eroded, particularly in their efforts to advocate for their issues in the Capitol.

The NJEA stands as the largest teachers’ union in New Jersey, representing over 200,000 members statewide. The union has been a major financial supporter of Democratic campaigns, similar to the Chicago Teachers’ Union, which played a role in electing leftist Mayor Brandon Johnson in 2023.

The NJEA has not commented on the current situation.