Working New Jersey, an expenditure group launched in August spearheaded by leaders of the state teacher union New Jersey Education Association, has been publishing campaign materials in support of 2024 Democratic candidates. But, according to Joey Fox at the NJ Globe,  “the materials shift to their main focus: NJEA President Sean Spiller, who is running in next year’s Democratic gubernatorial primary….One Working New Jersey door hanger placed on doors in the 7th congressional district reads. ‘And in 2025, vote for Sean Spiller – Governor 2025.’”

According to records filed with the Election Law Enforcement Commission, Working New Jersey has spent about $600,000 on mailers and door hangers. The Globe calls this amount “a drop in the bucket compared to what Working New Jersey may spend overall in the next few months.”

Earlier, Politico reported that the group plans to spend $35 million on Spiller’s campaign to replace Gov. Phil Murphy in 2025.

Politico also reported that the leaders of Working New Jersey are mostly connected with NJEA leadership. Ed Richardson, the retired executive director of NJEA, is its chairman. Other NJEA-related leaders are former spokesman Steve Wollmer and former Montclair Educations Association President Gayl Shepard. Most recently, Spiller was mayor of Montclair; he left under controversial circumstances. The Star-Ledger Editorial Board compiled this list: Spiller “allegedly took illegal benefits,” “retaliated against a whistle-blower,” “tried to hide evidence,” and “unleashed lawyers to stifle a critic.” 

In a statement, NJEA spokesman Steve Baker said the union is “proud to support organizations that state very explicitly that they plan on making independent expenditures that support the election of a governor for New Jersey who supports public education and working New Jersey families and who understands the struggles and needs of everyday people.”