One of the most significant labor unions in New Jersey shifted its allegiance from the Democrats on Thursday by choosing to endorse Jack Ciattarelli, the Republican nominee for governor backed by Trump.

The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825 (IUOE), representing over 8,000 heavy equipment operators in the Garden State, commended Ciattarelli as a candidate for change after previously supporting incumbent Governor Phil Murphy, who is limited to one term.

“New Jersey is at a pivotal moment. We are confronted with an energy crisis, an affordability crisis, and a crisis of common sense. The solutions are straightforward but may not be politically favorable,” stated the union’s business manager, Greg Lalevee. “We require a Governor who will confront our challenges and not yield to extreme political factions. Jack Ciattarelli comprehends New Jersey and what must be accomplished to restore our great state.”

Lalevee highlighted Ciattarelli’s readiness to generate jobs by endorsing projects related to natural gas and criticized Democrat candidate Mikie Sherrill for relying on solar energy as a remedy for the state’s energy requirements. “The idea that we can achieve this without natural gas is ludicrous,” Lalevee remarked to the New Jersey Globe. “We cannot reach our goals solely through solar. That is unfeasible.”