NJFMBA sticks with Hudson Democratic organization, goes for Angelozzi over Torrissi,backs Kenyatta Stewart
By David Wildstein, May 07 2025 4:08 pm
The New Jersey State Firefighters Benevolent Association has endorsed 64 incumbent members of the State Assembly, but is backing Chigozie Onyema in the Democratic primary for State Assembly in the 28th district against incumbent Garnet Hall (D-Maplewood).
In the 8th district, the firefighters went with Anthony Angelozzi, a Hammonton public school teacher, against a primary opponent and over the Republican incumbent, Michael Torrissi (R-Hammonton).
The union is supporting the six Assembly candidates backed by the Hudson County Democratic Organization, bypassing incumbents Barbara McCann Stamato (D-Jersey City) and Jessica Ramirez (D-Jersey City); both are running on a slate with Steven Fulop, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate and the mayor of Jersey City. The firefighters instead opted for incumbent William Sampson (D-Bayonne) and Hudson County Commissioner Jerry Walker in the 31st district, Jennie Pu and Crystal Fonseca in the 32nd, and incumbent Gabe Rodriguez (D-West New York) and Larry Wainstein in the 33rd.
State Sen. Benjie Wimberly (D-Paterson), who is seeking the remainder of now-Rep. Nellie Pou’s unexpired term in the 35th district, was also endorsed. The firefighters are supporting Assemblyman Al Abdelaziz (D-Paterson) for a full-term in that district, but are also backing Kenyatta Stewart, the Newark corporation counsel, in a bid for an open seat against Passaic County Commissioner Orlando Cruz, who has the support of the Passaic Democratic organization.
“When the NJFMBA makes an endorsement, there is an expectation of a two-way commitment,” said Eddie Donnelly, the union president. “We will put our dollars and commitment to work for you, while we make sure candidates are accountable when they are in office, making sure that they are always aware of how the legislation they are considering impacts our members.”
The union is backing Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) in the Democratic primary for governor.
Donnelly took aim at a slate of Assembly candidates running with Fulop.
“There are a number of candidates that have aligned themselves with a slogan of Democrats for Change. This type of campaign is threatening the members of the Assembly who have supported us in the past.” Donnelly stated. “These challengers have done nothing to reach out to the men and women of the NJ FMBA to share their views or ask for support. This isn’t positive change. This is a divisive attempt at unseating members who have been there for us in the past. Firefighters and first responders are the epitome of loyalty. We never forget where we came from and how we got there, and we sure as heck don’t run from a challenge.”
The union represents over 6,500 career firefighters, dispatchers and EMTI’s across the state.
”The NJFMBA, with members stretching from Ridgewood to Wildwood, and in every corner of our state, expects that candidates and elected officials will reach out to us to share their views and help us better understand what they are doing to make New Jersey better,” he said.
Eight other incumbents failed to win the backing of the firefighters union: Vicky Flynn (R-Holmdel), Gerry Scharfenberger (R-Middletown), Sterley Stanley (D-East Brunswick), Nancy Munoz (R-Summit), Michele Matsikoudis (R-New Providence), Mike Inganamort (R-Chester), Dawn Fantasia (R-Franklin), and Jay Webber (R-Morris Plains). Flynn, Scharfenberger and Stanley have primary opponents.
Donnelly noted a significant difference between “sticking with the status quo” and a “rage against the machine.”
“The NJFMBA will always stick with our friends on both sides of the aisle,” he said. “We will use all our available resources to make sure those who have supported us in the past will be successful in June.”
Other incumbents receiving firefighter endorsements:
Democrats — Dave Bailey; Heather Simmons; Dan Hutchison; Cody Miller; William Moen Jr.; William Spearman; Louis Greenwald; Melinda Kane; Carol Murphy; Balvir Singh; Andrea Katz; Margie Donlon; Luanne Peterpaul; Wayne DeAngelo; Tennille McCoy; Verlina Reynolds-Jackson; Anthony Verrelli; Mitchelle Drulis; Roy Freiman; Joe Danielsen; Kevin Egan; Robert Karabinchak; Craig Coughlin; Yvonne Lopez; Annette Quijano; Linda Carter; James Kennedy; Rosy Bagolie; Alixon Collazos-Gill; Cleopatra Tucker; Eliana Pintor Marin; Shanique Speight; Alexander “Avi” Schnall; Carmen Morales; Mike Venezia; Clinton Calabrese; Gary Schaer; Shama Haider; Ellen Park; Lisa Swain; and Christopher Tully. Also: first-time candidate Sergio Granados, a Union County Commissioner in the 20th district.
Republicans — Antwan McClellan; Erik Simonsen; Don Guardian; Claire Swift; Gregory Myhre; Brian Rumpf; Paul Kanitra; Greg McGuckin; Robert Clifton; Alex Sauickie; John DiMaio; Erik Peterson; Christian Barranco; Aura Dunn; Brian Bergen; Sean Kean; Robert Auth; John Azzariti Jr.; Al Barlas; and Christopher DePhillips.