Voters in New Jersey’s first and second Assembly districts—both influenced by Atlantic City economically—have been bombarded with campaign ads warning against North Jersey casinos and supporting rescue plans for Atlantic City casinos.
But an Associated Press report found that the PAC behind many of the ads actually had a different goal then saving the resort.
The political arm of the state’s largest teacher’s union, the New Jersey Education Association, has contributed nearly $3 million to a super PAC whose mission is electing Democrats, the AP reported.
That General Majority PAC, has spent about $2 million ahead of the Nov. 3 election, with money going toward ads in southern New Jersey’s 1st and 2nd districts portraying Democratic candidates as opposing politicians trying to bring casinos to northern New Jersey, even though North Jersey Democrats are behind many of the proposals for new casinos, the report said.
Union officials say they are helping candidates who oppose Governor Chris Christie’s decision not to fund the state’s pension, a controversial issue which has left the union at odds with Christie through most of his term as Governor.
“It sends a very loud signal. Our members have not missed a payment. Their contributions have gone up every year since 2011,” NJEA executive director Edward Richardson told the AP. “Ultimately, we would like to have people in office who will ensure the state meets its responsibility.”
State Democrats say that they cannot coordinate the ads with the super PAC even though the group is favorable to them, the AP report said.
