PBA Political Action
Dawn of a new day in Trenton
Historic endorsement by the NJ State PBA backs Phil Murphy for governor
■ BY JOSHUA SIGMUND
■ PHOTOS BY ED CARATTINI, JR.
The energy was electric as law enforcement officers and firefighters basked in a beautiful Oct. 7 morning outside Union’ s Town Hall. It was the kind of sunny day that signaled a new one in Trenton is possible.
Indeed, after seven-and-a-half years of a governor with whom communication was at best absent and at worst riled with insults, members of the New Jersey State PBA and FMBA were filled with enthusiasm to rally behind a candidate who promises to say what he will do – pay the state’ s share of the pension system; support a wellstaffed PERC; maintain an open-door policy with union leaders – and of course, do what he says.
“ This was a historic day for the NJ State PBA,” President Pat Colligan exclaimed.“ We have a great candidate who certainly has the experience. And he’ s mature, which is something we haven’ t had in more than seven years.”
Meet Phil Murphy: Businessman. Diplomat. New Jersey’ s next Governor.
“ It is very humbling standing among you all this morning,” Murphy addressed to about 200 PBA and FMBA members who came from as far as two hours away to meet the man who intends to be a rainbow of hope for them.
“ I’ m running for governor; you all put your lives on the line every day for us,” Murphy continued.“ That’ s not really an even match
frankly. I cannot express the amount of respect I have for each and every single one of you for the work you have chosen to dedicate your lives to.”
To uproars of applause, Murphy vowed to“ be a true partner to first responders,” notably promising to take meetings with union leaders when requested.
“ We will not always agree on every issue – no group of people ever do,” he acknowledged.“ But make no mistake – I will never call you names; I will not vilify you; I will not blame you. I will always treat you respectfully as the true professionals you all are.”
Among his distinguished and expansive career – he served as the U. S. Ambassador to Germany( 2009-2013), finance chairman for the Democratic National Committee under Howard Dean and retired in 2006 after a 23-year career at Goldman Sachs – in 2005 Murphy was selected by Acting Governor Richard Codey to chair the New Jersey Benefits Task Force in response to the state’ s pension crisis.
“ I say now, as I’ ve done in our report just over a decade ago, the state must pay its share into the pension system,” Murphy addressed to the enthusiastic crowd.“ It won’ t be easy, but we must. Chris Christie wouldn’ t, I will.”
For Pete Andreyev, the State PBA Pension Coordinator, this senti-
36 NEW JERSEY COPS ■ OCTOBER 2016
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