The first hearing where women were invited to publicly share their experiences with sexual harassment in New Jersey politics included allegations against one of the state’s most powerful politicians.

In emotional testimony Tuesday evening, a labor official came forward at the public forum in Fort Lee to accuse state Senate President Stephen Sweeney of intimidation, including verbally threatening her in public several years ago after she opposed his efforts to cut state pensions.

Sweeney, D-Gloucester, contributes to a culture of “toxic masculinity” in New Jersey politics, Fran Ehret, a staff representative from the Communications Workers of America, told the Workgroup on Harassment, Sexual Assault and Misogyny in New Jersey Politics.

The explosive remarks before about 50 people at the forum were among a handful of stories women shared at the invitation of the workgroup, which was formed last month by state Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, D-Bergen, to hold listening sessions. The group plans to come back with suggestions on how to improve the political culture for women in New Jersey.

Sweeney, the international vice president of the ironworkers unions, was the chief architect behind the passage of a law Gov. Chris Christie signed that cut public employee pensions and benefits. Ehret said the Democratic leader’s comments were made during a heated exchange at a union meeting in 2010.

At the union meeting, Ehret said Sweeney "stood up, pointed his finger at me and he said, ‘If you were a man, I would take you outside right now and kick your ass.’”

“When a man who is much bigger than you towers over you and threatens you with violence, that is not okay,” Ehret told the panel. “That is sexism. That is abuse of power.”

Ehret also described an instance in which she spoke out against Sweeney during a Gloucester County Freeholder meeting, which Sweeney ran as freeholder director. When she left the meeting, she said five large men from the building trades followed her onto the elevator and crowded around her.

“There was no mistaking what the message was. I was being told to shut up," she said.

“If we are going to hold public hearings to talk about misogyny by people in power and the many forms of abuse women are subjected to in the workplace, I think we should start with the gross misogyny and abuse of power by Senate President Stephen Sweeney,” Ehret said.

Reached by phone Tuesday night, Sweeney said Ehret often organizes protests against him.

“This is in individual who has attacked me day in and day out for many years,” Sweeney told NJ Advance Media. “Anything she says, it should be taken into account the way she handles me.”

“This is someone who has organized public rallies against me, has tried to drown me out, shut me out, and shut me down,” Sweeney added. “She’s not an honest person. In fact, she’s a very dishonest person.”

“She has been the ringleader in trying to silence different views,” he continued.

The bad blood between public sector unions and Sweeney is well documented. The New Jersey Education Association — which has spent years backing and raising money to support mostly Democratic candidates — endorsed Sweeney’s Republican competitor, Fran Grenier, in the 2017 election.

Amanda Richardson, chairwoman of the Harding Township Democratic Committee, speaks during the first hearing of the Workgroup on Harassment, Sexual Assault and Misogyny in Fort Lee.George McNish | For NJ Advance M

During Ehret’s testimony, the panel of women serving on the Workgroup on Harassment, Sexual Assault and Misogyny listened quietly and did not ask questions.

Weinberg formed the group last month in response to an NJ Advance Media report detailing sexual harassment and sexual assault in state politics. The report, published Dec. 29 on NJ.com and in The Star-Ledger and its affiliated newspapers, included the experiences of 20 lobbyists, political consultants and elected officials who recounted everything from sexist comments to groping and rape while working in state government and politics.

The report prompted Gov. Phil Murphy and state lawmakers to call for systematic changes in state politics. The organizers of the state’s two high-profile political gatherings — the state Chamber of Commerce’s annual train trip to Washington, D.C., and the annual state League of Municipalities convention — also promised changes to make the events safer for women.

Amanda Richardson, chairwoman of the Harding Township Democratic Committee, told the committee she was dismayed by the presence of alcohol in political gatherings when she got involved in politics three years ago. It made it difficult for her as a new mother to participate because she couldn’t go out to bars after meetings, she said.

“Leadership must prioritize creating a welcoming environment for women,” and embrace a “cultural change to ensure connections can be made outside of bars and parties," Richardson said. A “women’s caucus” could help promote daytime events where children are welcome or online events, she added.

Deborah Cornavaca, Gov. Phil Murphy's deputy chief of staff, speaks during the first hearing of the Workgroup on Harassment, Sexual Assault and Misogyny in Fort Lee.George McNish | For NJ Advance M

Deborah Cornavaca, Murphy’s deputy chief of staff, said the administration is committed to bringing in experts to create more effective anti-harassment training programs.

The work should also include women of different racial and religious backgrounds because these minorities are the most often subject to harassment, she said.

“The administration is absolutely committed to change, and we pledge ourselves to achieve this change,” Cornavaca said. “This work will not be easy, this work will not be fast.”

The workgroup will hold two additional “listening sessions” in March in Central and South Jersey on dates to be announced, organizers said. There will also be one closed-door session where women can tell their stories in private or anonymously.

“This is just the beginning,” Weinberg said at the close of the meeting.

The group also has an anonymous survey where women can share their experiences. Some 360 people have responded to the survey since it was launched on Jan. 28, the committee said.

Weinberg said the committee will decide how the problems ought to be addressed. She could imagine sponsoring legislation or making sure workplace training programs are provided.

“I thought we had passed most of the laws that were needed to protect people,” Weinberg said in an interview before the meeting. “I wasn’t shocked about any story I have heard. What is more upsetting is we have not helped establish the atmosphere where women and some men feel like they have a safe space to speak.”

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.

Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio.