HPAE endorses Phil Murphy for a 2nd Term as New Jersey Governor

The Healthcare Professionals and Allied Employees (HPAE), in recognition of his steadfast support of frontline healthcare workers during the coronavirus pandemic, today endorsed Phil Murphy in his race to be re-elected as governor of New Jersey.

HPAE President Debbie White, RN, said New Jersey’s largest union of nurses and healthcare workers is backing Murphy because he worked diligently to ensure that they had the resources they needed to do their lifesaving work safely.

“From the early days of the COVID pandemic Gov. Murphy listened and responded to the science. He rapidly worked to develop a distribution plan for the PPE that would protect our frontline workers and made sure we were the first group to be vaccinated because he knew that healthcare workers were most exposed and at risk of contracting COVID,” White said.

“Governor Murphy’s first four years leading our state were filled with healthcare challenges, placing public health and safety above all else,” White continued. “He has consistently brought labor to the table in times of crisis to work collaboratively.

Gov. Murphy, appearing at a video conferencing event with White and HPAE members, was gracious receiving the endorsement, thanking White and HPAE members for their lifesaving work.

“I’m beyond grateful to receive this endorsement from the frontline health care heroes of the HPAE,” Murphy said. “These are the women and men who had our backs during the toughest days of the pandemic and displayed incredible courage under unimaginable pressure. Together, we’re making strides toward a health care system that is more equitable, accessible, and affordable.”

HPAE Local 5112 President Priscilla Surles told Murphy the union is putting the weight of its members behind Murphy because they feel he had their backs during one of the toughest times in the state’s history.

“There were times when healthcare facilities ran short of personal protective equipment and when the governor found out, he made sure we all had the necessary PPE, COVID testing and common sense measures to keep patients, nurses and aides safe,” Surles said.

HPAE 5089 member Maritza Beniquez, an emergency room nurse in Newark who appeared with the governor at a vaccination event at University Hospital where she was the first nurse in the state to be vaccinated, thanked Murphy.
“Especially in the worst days of the pandemic, it was like having a champion in our corner,” she said.

Here is a link to the video of the endorsement event.

To see the full list of endorsement, visit HPAE Election Center.

Fore more information, contact: Michael Allen, (646) 436-7556