Teach NJ PAC, a political action committee that advocates for fair and equitable funding for nonpublic schools, today released its list of endorsed candidates for the 2023 general election for the New Jersey Legislature.
The list represents those candidates who have proactively supported nonpublic schools throughout the state, advocating for funding and resources in areas such as school security, nursing and health care, transportation and innovative educational programming, such as the growing nonpublic school STEM Initiative.
“Teach NJ PAC is proud to endorse these candidates and to recognize their partnership and assistance in supporting the nonpublic school community here in New Jersey,” said Joseph Feldman, Chairman of Teach NJ PAC. “They are true champions for New Jersey’s students, recognizing that all children and families should have access to safe, quality schools that align with their religious and cultural needs.”
There are approximately 160,000 nonpublic school students in New Jersey, many of whom come from families that for religious and cultural reasons attend these schools.
“For many parents across the state, sending their children to a faith-based school is not an option, it’s a core part of their belief system, religious principles and parenting philosophy,” explained Feldman. “However, this often comes with extreme financial hardship, as they are forced to shoulder the high cost of tuition on their own. State support and funding helps mitigate this burden and enables these parents to send their kids to schools that fit their religious and cultural needs, without compromising on quality.”
In recent years, numerous states such as Pennsylvania, Florida, Iowa, and New Hampshire, and many others have created or dramatically expanded programs to support students in nonpublic schools. In New Jersey, this has included funding for transportation, STEM programming, security, nursing services and more.
“Many states around the country have recognized the educational and economic benefits of a strong and diverse school system,” said Feldman.
According to the NJ Department of Education, nonpublic schools educate 10.4% of K-12 students in New Jersey. In FY21-22, the state invested $500 per pupil in education for nonpublic school students, compared to $18,208 per pupil in government spending on New Jersey public school students (excluding transportation and auxiliary expenses).
“In the years to come, we will be expanding our relationships throughout the legislature to ensure all of our children are provided with the necessary educational support to succeed,” said Feldman.
Below are the endorsed candidates of Teach NJ PAC for the 2023 State Legislative Elections:
District 6
Senate James Beach
Assembly Louis Greenwald
Assembly Pamela Lampitt
District 7
Senate Troy Singleton
Assembly Carol Murphy
District 11
Senate Vin Gopal
Assembly Margie Donlon
Assembly Luanne Peterpaul
District 13
Senate Declan O’Scanlon
Assembly Gerry Scharfenberger
District 14
Senate Linda Greenstein
District 16
Senate Andrew Zwicker
Assembly Roy Freiman
Assembly Mitchelle Drulis
District 18
Senate Patrick Deignan
Assembly Robert Karabinchak
Assembly Sterley Stanley
District 19
Senate Joseph Vitale
Assembly Craig Coughlin
Assembly Yvonne Lopez
District 20
Senate Joseph Cryan
Assembly Annette Quijano
Assembly Reginald Atkins
District 21
Senate Jon Bramnick
District 22
Senate Nicholas Scutari
Assembly Linda Carter
Assembly James Kennedy
District 27
Senate John McKeon
Assembly Dr. Rosaura Bagolie
Assembly Alixon Collazos-Gill
District 28
Senate Renee Burgess
Assembly Garnet Hall
Assembly Cleopatra Tucker
District 29
Senate M. Teresa Ruiz
Assembly Eliana Pintor Marin
Assembly Shanique Speight
District 30
Senate Robert Singer
Assembly Rabbi Avi Schnall
District 31
Senate Angela McKnight
District 34
Senate Britnee Timberlake
Assembly Michael Venezia
Assembly Carmen Morales
District 36
Senate Paul Sarlo
Assembly Gary Schaer
Assembly Clinton Calabrese
District 37
Senate Gordon Johnson
Assembly Shama Haider
Assembly Ellen Park
District 38
Senate Joseph Lagana
Assembly Lisa Swain
Assembly Chris Tully
District 39
Senate Holly Schepisi
###
The endorsements made by Teach NJ PAC are not an endorsement from any other organization. Teach NJ PAC is a New Jersey political action committee run by an independent board.
Paid for by Teach NJ PAC Inc., 309 Edgewood Ave., Teaneck, N.J. 07666