‍POLITICAL ENDORSEMENT PRESS RELEASE

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Contact Information:

Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey (PFANJ)

Matthew Caliente, President

mcaliente@newjerseyfirefighers.org

Release Date:
October 14, 2026

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY ANNOUNCES ENDORSEMENTS FOR U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

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Trenton, NJ – October 14, 2026 – The Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey (PFANJ) has announced its slate of endorsements for candidates running to represent New Jersey in the United States House of Representatives. Representing thousands of professional firefighters, emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, and dispatchers across the state, the PFANJ evaluates candidates strictly on their record of support for first responder issues—not party affiliation.

"An endorsement by the PFANJ is not handed out based on party lines. We operate under a clear and unwavering philosophy: we support those who support us," said PFANJ President Matthew Caliente. "Whether Democratic or Republican, these leaders have consistently stepped up to advocate for the health, safety, retirement security, and operational needs of our members, our professions, and the communities we protect."

Endorsed Candidates by Congressional District

The PFANJ is proud to endorse the following candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives:

• District 1: Donald Norcross (D)
• District 2: Jeff Van Drew (R)
• District 3: Herb Conaway (D)
• District 4: Chris Smith (R)
• District 5: Josh Gottheimer (D)
• District 6: Frank Pallone (D)
• District 7: Thomas Kean Jr. (R)
• District 8: Rob Menendez (D)
• District 9: Nellie Pou (D)
• District 10: LaMonica McIver (D)

Note: The PFANJ has not yet announced endorsements in Congressional Districts 11 or 12, as the union is continuing to meet with all candidates in those districts before making a determination.

Key Legislation Impacting First Responders

While local advocacy builds strong relationships in home districts, passing federal legislation requires a united, nationwide movement. A single congressional delegation cannot push complex federal bills over the finish line on its own—it takes the collective strength of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and the solidarity of hundreds of thousands of brothers and sisters across all 50 states to move the needle in Washington. When the PFANJ endorses candidates, we are aligning our local efforts with the immense lobbying power and political momentum of the national IAFF network. By mobilizing first responders nationwide to engage their respective lawmakers simultaneously, we turn state-level support into national legislative victories, ensuring that critical bills affecting our health, safety, and retirement security actually reach the President's desk. Our endorsed candidates, and their Congressional colleagues, have demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting federal legislation critical to first responders, including:

• Social Security Fairness Act: Supporting the repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). This legislation ensures public servants, including retired firefighters and emergency responders, receive the full Social Security benefits they have earned without penalty.
• AFG and SAFER Grant Funding: Supporting reauthorization and robust funding for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) programs. These federal grants deliver essential funding directly to local departments for staffing, training, and life-saving equipment.
• PFAS Protection and Research: Supporting legislation such as the Protecting Firefighters and Advancing State-of-the-Art Alternatives (PFAS) Act, which promotes research into safer personal protective equipment (PPE) free of harmful chemicals.
• 9/11 Health & Compensation: Ongoing backing for the World Trade Center Health Program and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, ensuring long-term healthcare and financial security for responders suffering from 9/11-related illnesses.

"Firefighters and EMS personnel put their lives on the line every single day," added President Caliente. "We need lawmakers in Washington who will advocate for our safety on the ground and our security in retirement. We look forward to working with our endorsed candidates in the next Congress."

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026 with the early voting period taking place from October 24th through November 1st.

The Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey (PFANJ), was established and chartered as a State Association by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) on October 29, 1929. It is a member of the AFL-CIO. The PFANJ represents nearly 3,500 Firefighters, Emergency Medical Technicians, Dispatchers, Fire Inspectors, Instructors, and HazMat Technicians though its over 60 locals. This includes over 3,000 of New Jersey’s approximately 6,000 professional firefighters. Its local affiliates represent first responders who work in dispatch centers, academies, airports, fire districts, suburban municipalities, and the state’s largest and busiest urban fire departments.‍