Zoe Heath, Chair of the Sussex County Democratic Committee, said NJEA President Sean Spiller's confirmation that teacher dues are directly supporting his gubernatorial bid creates a serious conflict of interest and erodes member confidence. The statement was made on TikTok.
"That is your union president telling you that he is using your dues for his campaign," said Heath. "A lot of educators I know thought it was just PAC money. It's not. What buckles my mind isn't just that this is a ridiculous amount of money to be spending. This is diluting the NJEA's power."
According to a February 2024 editorial by NJ.com, Sean Spiller’s dual role as NJEA President and gubernatorial candidate raises significant transparency issues. The editorial criticized Spiller for not fully explaining how his political ambitions align with his obligations to union members and concluded that voters deserve accountability before considering him for higher office.
A video circulated by the Sunlight Policy Center in April 2025 shows Spiller admitting on camera that his gubernatorial campaign is being funded through regular NJEA dues, not just Political Action Committee (PAC) contributions. This revelation contradicts the understanding many members had and has intensified scrutiny of NJEA’s financial practices.
According to MyPayMySay, public school teachers in New Jersey pay hundreds of dollars annually in union dues, which fund NJEA operations, lobbying, and political activity. NJEA financial disclosures indicate that dues revenue constitutes the majority of its political budget—more than $120 million in 2023 alone—enabling the union to wield substantial influence in state elections.
Heath is a visible figure in local New Jersey politics and frequently uses platforms like TikTok to comment on political transparency and accountability within the Democratic Party. She has emphasized the importance of member trust in political leadership.
