ATLANTIC CITY -- The state's largest teachers union went all in on its bid to push out state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, spending more than $5 million to help defeat the powerful Democrat in his home district.
It didn't work. Sweeney was easily re-elected Tuesday and he blasted New Jersey Education Association leaders for their "waste of money" in the costliest state legislature race in New Jersey history.
NJEA leaders praised the failed effort to oust Sweeney, saying the campaign "energized NJEA members" and electrified state politics.
What do rank-and-file NJEA members think?
NJ Advance Media randomly polled 100 union members Thursday as they picked up their registration badges at the start of the NJEA's annual teachers convention in Atlantic City.
The random, unscientific poll showed union members were split on whether the NJEA was wise to spend more than $5 million trying to dethrone Sweeney. Of those polled, 28 said they thought it was a "good idea" to spend millions on the Sweeney race. Another 28 union members said they thought spending millions on the effort was a "bad idea" and a waste of money.
The remaining 44 of those polled were indifferent. They either said they didn't know about the money spent on the Sweeney legislative race or they didn't care how the NJEA spent their union's money on politics.
The NJEA members polled gave their opinions on the condition that they did not have to give their names. They ranged from a brand new teacher from Camden to a veteran school secretary from Hunterdon County and a retired educator from Burlington County.
"To spend that much money on anything is ridiculous," said one veteran teacher from Monmouth County.
Others said the NJEA campaign to get rid of the Democrat was worth every penny because it showed the union would stand up to all politicians, regardless of party, if they did not stand with the state's teachers.
"It sent a message," said one teacher from Bergen County.
It is unclear exactly how much the NJEA, one of the state's most powerful unions, spent on the race between Sweeney and Republican challenger Fran Grenier. Final spending numbers have not been calculated yet, but early estimates said more than $20 million, including at least $5 million from the NJEA, was spent on the campaign in South Jersey's 3rd legislative district.
"It was a big race," said Steve Baker, NJEA's spokesman.
But, the NJEA was far outspent by Sweeney supporters, Baker said.
Sweeney, who won his re-election by 18 percentage points over his Republican challenger, called for NJEA members to replace their leadership.
"Teachers are wonderful people who do great things for our children. But their leadership needs to be re-evaluated," Sweeney told NJTV shortly after his victory Tuesday.
Asked Thursday whether the NJEA had damaged its relationship with Trenton Democrats and imperiled the union's legislative agenda, Sweeney stopped short of extending an olive branch to the teachers.
"At this point, it's really up to them," Sweeney said. "They're a constituency group, just like there are a whole lot of other constituency groups. And I'm gonna stay focused on trying to get things done."
The NJEA's convention continues in Atlantic City through Friday. The convention, which has a social justice theme this year, includes more than 300 professional development seminars and a convention floor filled with exhibitors offering classroom materials, field trip ideas and other products.
Gov.-elect Phil Murphy, a Democrat who was endorsed by the union, is scheduled to speak at the NJEA convention Friday morning.
NJ Advance Media staff writer Brent Johnson contributed to this report.
Kelly Heyboer may be reached at kheyboer@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KellyHeyboer. Find her at KellyHeyboerReporter on Facebook.