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Joanne Kuniansky

Socialist Workers candidate for United States Senator, New Jersey · Challenger

Socialist Workers Party campaigner; former refinery operator, meatpacker, machine operator and Walmart deli worker

Joanne Kuniansky, 73, lives in West New York, New Jersey, and has been a member of the Socialist Workers Party since 1977. She has worked as a refinery operator, meatpacker, machine operator and Walmart deli worker. She qualified for the November 3, 2026 ballot for U.S. Senate through a petition drive and is listed on the NJ Division of Elections' official candidate list as the Socialist Workers Party candidate.

Where Kuniansky stands

Iran war: Says the U.S. is fighting an imperialist war against Iran for the region's oil, gas and labor, while Israel is fighting a defensive war to stop Tehran from getting nuclear weapons. Calls for 'U.S. troops out of the Middle East.'
Israel and the West Bank: Supports 'Israel's right to exist as a refuge for Jews' and calls for defending Jews against growing attacks.
Economy and cost of living: Proposes a union-led public works program paying union-scale wages, a shorter workweek with no cut in pay, and automatic cost-of-living increases in union contracts, pensions and Social Security.
Immigration and borders: Supports amnesty for all undocumented workers and opposes immigration raids and deportations. Says a union-led fight for amnesty would unify the working class.
Health care: Supports government-guaranteed health care and pensions as universal social rights. Says that under capitalism health care is run as a business for profit.
Cuba: Opposes the U.S. blockade of Cuba and U.S. threats against Cuba.
Labor and unions: Says she stands with workers resisting employers' attacks on jobs, wages and working conditions, and supports building unions.

Background

Socialist Workers Party member since 1977
Former refinery operator, meatpacker, machine operator and Walmart deli worker; union activist
Previous Socialist Workers Party candidate for U.S. Senate (2024), U.S. House NJ-8 (2022) and New Jersey governor (2021, 2025)
Attended high school in Atlanta, Georgia

In the news

Kuniansky seeks U.S. Senate seat on Socialist Workers ticket Short Hills Sentinel, October 12, 2026
Join SWP in drive to expand reach of 'Militant,' books, party-building fund The Militant, September 25, 2026
New Jersey election 2026: Cory Booker faces 3 challengers in U.S. Senate race. Here's what to know WHYY, September 22, 2026

Also running for United States Senator

Cory Booker Democratic
Justin Murphy Republican
Veronica Fernandez End The Corruption!

Sources

Last researched October 23, 2026. Written in neutral language from the sources above. Spot an error? See how to report it.