Steve Sweeney Wins Re-Election Despite NJEA Support For Opponent

State Sen. President Stephen Sweeney won re-election to the seat he’s held for 16 years despite efforts from the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) to oust the incumbent Democrat. Sweeney was re-elected to his seat in the Third Legislative District over Republican challenger Fran Grenier, according to unofficial results from Tuesday night’s election.

Sweeney beat Grenier by about 9,000 votes, earning 59 percent of the vote, according to nj.com. The NJEA spent more than $5 million in an effort to help Grenier defeat Sweeney. The union often backs Democrats, but was opposed to Sweeney for his efforts to help outgoing Gov. Chris Christie pass pension reform in 2011, as well as for breaking a promise to push for full pension payments each year.

Last year, Sweeney accused the union of extortion over its threat to withhold campaign contributions to candidates unless the State Senate passed pension legislation, according to nj.com.

After his victory, Sweeney told NJTV the election was over and there was no reason the two sides couldn’t work together. He also said if anyone was going to have to reach out to the other side, it would be the union reaching out to him.

In a press release issued after the election results came in, NJEA touted Phil Murphy’s victory in the gubernatorial election as the highlight of “a successful night for NJEA’s endorsed candidates.” It didn’t mention the results of the Third Legislative District race.

Results remain unofficial until certified.