New Jersey Sweeps Torricelli into Senate

AFSCME New Jersey members helped 14-year House veteran Robert Torricelli trounce Republican Dick Zimmer and capture the Senate seat left vacant by Sen. Bill Bradley's retirement. AFSCME members participated in non-partisan get-out-the-vote programs.

Torricelli had a strong pro-worker, pro-family record and a vision for hard-working New Jerseyans to rebuild their infrastructure and communities, protect pensions and health care, and create and retain jobs.

Local 2302 Pres. Shirley Smith, a political activist for nearly 20 years, hailed the work of New Jersey's AFSCME members as "a terrific job." She said the continuous operation of the phones by many volunteers, coupled with knocking on doors, really got out the vote.

Smith stressed that the job is not finished. AFSCME must now "keep a close eye on our newly elected officials," she said. "We must hold them to their promises to support a better standard of living for America's families."