Montclair-centric take on NJEA vs. Sweeney

• The politically internecine warfare between the NJEA and Steve Sweeney, from a Montclair perspective.

"No comment."

New Jersey Education Association Vice President Sean Spiller declined to say anything regarding the teachers union's decision to oppose Senate President Steve Sweeney and endorse Republican challenger Fran Grenier in the general election next Tuesday.

Spiller also declined to comment on why he did not want to comment.

A teacher in the Wayne School District, Spiller resides in Montclair and is the 3rd Ward Township Council representative. Even when a majority of New Jersey voters cast ballots for a Republican — twice, for Gov. Chris Christie —  Montclair's voters overwhelmingly support Democratic candidates.

In his presidential run in 2008 and again in 2012, Barack Obama received more than four out of five votes cast in Montclair.

Former Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine and his successor, Christie, have been cited as having called the township "the People's Republic of Montclair."

Sweeney siding with Christie during state budget negotiations that impacted teachers' benefits and pensions is a reason why the NJEA opposes Sweeney's reelection in the 3rd Legislative District, which spans Salem County and covers portions of Gloucester and.Cumberland counties in South Jersey.

Along with backing a Republican to oust the leader of the Democratic-controlled Senate, the New Jersey Education Association, one of the state’s most powerful unions, has endorsed Democratic gubernatorial candidate Phil Murphy.

Murphy's campaign manager is Brendan Gill, a Montclair resident who is chair of the Montclair Democratic County Committee and is vice president of the Essex County Board of Freeholders.

Gill said that he supports Sweeney in his reelection bid.

‘’They’re running on a Democratic line together in Senator Sweeney’s district, they campaigned together, Phil has raised money for his candidacy, and is committed to seeing him be reelected,” Gill said. 

Brendan Gill's father is Dan Gill, one of the longest-serving teachers in the Montclair School District.

The NJEA in June issued a release with its endorsement of Grenier over Sweeney for what it called “Sweeney’s anti-union record and lack of honesty with NJEA members.”

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How they got here

When the NJEA endorsed Grenier in June, Spiller stated: “Our members fall everywhere on the political spectrum, and NJEA has a long history of building relationships on both sides of the aisle. We value honesty, reliability and respect. You don’t get an endorsement from NJEA based on the letter in parentheses after your name. You earn our endorsement based on your positions, your record and your integrity.

"Based on those criteria, it was easy for us to make the right decision and endorse Fran Grenier.”

The NJEA’s stance against Sweeney has also been seen in some quarters as tied into how Murphy will govern in the future. The scenario is that Murphy will not only need the support of the NJEA, which endorsed him, but also Sweeney, who is expected to win reelection and is seen as a powerful ally in the Statehouse. 

Calling for unity

Brendan Gill said he is not sure what impact will the NJEA endorsement have on the New Jersey Democratic Party going forward. However, he believes that if Murphy is elected and Sweeney is reelected, then Murphy will want to work with everyone who will help further his political agenda.

“I think Phil is going want to work with all sides,” Gill said. “Phil is a big-table leader, an inclusive leader. And if he is lucky enough to become governor, he will start in the position of bringing the state together, not just the two sides together.”

Marcia Marley, president of BlueWave NJ, the Montclair-based progressive policy group, had no comment about the NJEA endorsing Sweeney’s opponent, but concurred with Gill that Murphy will work with anyone to “get his agenda passed.”

Three years ago, Montclair Township Councilmember Bob Russo mulled running for governor. Russo serves alongside Spiller on the council, and he is a strong supporter of Brendan Gill. Along with being a Democrat, Russo's an officer and former president of the American Federation of Teachers Montclair State University Adjunct Local 6025.

"Our union did endorse Sweeney, and we did endorse Murphy," noted Russo. 

"We're very supportive of Phil Murphy, who has been at least respectful. We may not agree with everything that Sweeney has done, but we want to all work together when this is over."

Assemblyman Thomas Giblin serves in the state's 34th Legislative District, which covers several Essex County municipalities. A Montclair resident, Giblin is also the longtime business manager of the International Union of Operating Engineers, AFL–CIO.

"The NJEA and the Democratic Party have always had a close relationship," Giblin said. "I was disappointed that they made this decision to support the Republican opponent to Sweeney."

Giblin said the only time he can recall the NJEA pulling its support for a Democratic candidate was in 1991 when the union opposed then-Senate President John Lynch after he proposed a cap on teachers' salaries. Lynch managed to win reelection by only 1,800 votes.

Giblin said he is hopeful that Murphy will bring the NJEA and Sweeney together on issues after the election.

"I think Phil Murphy can serve as an honest broker to get both sides back on the same page," Giblin said.

— Mark S. Porter contributed to this article.