East Brunswick Education Association

The 125-member political action committee of the 200,000-member New Jersey
Education Association (NJEA) has voted to endorse 71 candidates for election to
the New Jersey Legislature this November.

The NJEA PAC Operating Committee (NJEA PAC) endorsed 70 Assembly
candidates and one Senate candidate in 37 of the state's 40 Legislative Districts.
They include 24 Republicans and 47 Democrats.

"This is a critical election for public education in New Jersey," said NJEA President
Joyce Powell. "NJEA is pleased to support candidates from both sides of the aisle
who share a common commitment to quality public education." Last month, NJEA
endorsed Gov. Jon Corzine for re-election, citing his proven support for the state's
public schools in the midst of the current economic crisis. Powell said Corzine and
his running mate, State Senator Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen), will be forceful
advocates for children and public education.

"As a State Senator, Loretta Weinberg has been endorsed by NJEA every time she
has been on the ballot," Powell said. "She's a proven, tenacious advocate for strong
public schools, and has sponsored or co-sponsored many NJEA-supported bills,
including numerous health care initiatives, child safety laws, and paid family leave.
She is an ideal running mate for Governor Corzine.

"Now more than ever, New Jersey must continue to invest in quality public education,
" Powell added. "In good and bad economic times, public schools are a leading
indicator of how well local and state economies perform. In New Jersey, we've made
a major investment in our public schools, and that investment has paid off. We lead
the nation with the best high school graduation rate and our public schools are among
the best in the nation in preparing students for higher education. NJEA is committed
to supporting pro-public education legislators who will help maintain our successes."

NJEA PAC voted on the recommendations of local interview teams from each
Legislative District. The endorsements were made on Saturday, Aug. 1, during
NJEA's annual Summer Leadership Conference.

The complete list of NJEA PAC endorsements:

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NJEA Endorses Corzine
Powell cites his strong leadership and commitment to public education

"When it comes to this state's commitment to public education, Jon Corzine get it."

With those words, New Jersey Education Association President Joyce Powell
announced last night's unanimous endorsement of Governor Jon S. Corzine by
NJEA's political action committee.

NJEA's 200,000 teachers, school employees, retired educators, and higher education
employees will be active supporters of Corzine, Powell predicted. "Our members
understand that Governor Corzine's positions on the issues that mater to them, and to
the students they educate, are exemplary. They also know he's been a strong leader in
very difficult times, "Powell added.

"Despite governing during one of the most challenging periods in recent New Jersey
history, Governor Corzine has been a steadfast advocate for great public schools,"
Powell said. "When it came time to balance the state's books, he's made some hard
decisions that will benefit New Jersey down the road.

"Most importantly, Governor Corzine refused to cut public K-12 education spending,
even while reducing state spending by seven billion dollars, because he understands
that strong public schools are the engine for jump-starting our economy," Powell said.

Powell pointed to the $300 million in additional education spending that Corzine
inserted in next year's state budget as proof that the Governor "understands that
New Jersey's children don't get to vote, and that it's up to the adults to protect their
opportunity for a quality education."

During his first term, Corzine has increased education funding by more than $1.8 billion,
and expanded the state's preschool program - a key factor in helping to close the
achievement gap between urban and suburban students.

NJEA's 125-member PAC Operating Committee unanimously endorsed Corzine after
weighing his record on a range of educational issues and determining that he had made
significant progress in implementing the progressive, pro-public education agenda he
ran on in 2005.

"Governor Corzine recognizes the importance of investing in public education and has
taken important steps in that direction," Powell said. "He has begun a much-needed
expansion of New Jersey's public preschool programs. In addition, his administration
has committed significant resources to school renovation and construction, which will
benefit students by providing them with safe, modern facilities and which will help
New Jersey by providing jobs in this difficult economic climate.

"The Governor has also started the state down a road toward responsible pension
funding practices, which reverses a decade of neglect in that area," Powell said.
"He has worked with educators to control long-term pension and benefit costs while
keeping New Jersey an attractive place to work.

"No single person will be able to reverse the impact of the worldwide financial crisis
on New Jersey, but no individual is better qualified to lead the state during this difficult
time than Jon Corzine," Powell said.

NJEA's PAC operating committee is made up of educators from across the state.
The committee evaluates candidates for office based on interviews, questionnaires,
public statements and voting records and endorses candidates who demonstrate a
strong commitment to high quality public education for every student in New Jersey.

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