1st Legislative District

Craig J. Coughlin

Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin, the longest-serving Speaker in New Jersey history, has represented the 19th Legislative District since 2010 and is now in his fourth term. Throughout his tenure, he has championed policies to raise the minimum wage, deliver property tax relief, expand childcare and mental health programs, increase school funding, end surprise medical bills, and strengthen environmental remediation efforts. His leadership has emphasized fiscal responsibility, passing landmark initiatives such as the Equal Pay for Women Act, the ANCHOR property tax relief program, and the StayNJ program to cut seniors’ property taxes in half, along with expanding prescription drug assistance for seniors.

A lifelong Middlesex County resident, Speaker Coughlin is especially dedicated to fighting hunger, working to expand free school lunches, increase aid to food banks by 500%, and establish the nation’s first Office of Food Security Advocate, with the goal of ending hunger in New Jersey by 2030. His commitment extends to local engagement, including an annual bowling fundraiser that has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for food pantries. Born in Perth Amboy, he is a St. John’s University graduate with a long record of public service as a school board member, city councilman, and in various legal roles. He is a partner at Rainone, Coughlin, Minchello LLC, and lives in Woodbridge with his wife, Letitia; they have three sons and two grandchildren.

Carol Sabo

Carol Sabo is an experienced leader who serves as Mayor of West Cape May. A social worker, educator, and lifelong public servant. Before entering education, Carol worked in Child Protective Services, advocating for families and children throughout Cape May County.

She has been a tireless advocate for working families—championing pro-labor policies, supporting small businesses, and prioritizing affordable housing in her community of West Cape May.

Carolyn Rush

With a strong focus on addressing the housing crisis, improving mental health resources, and advocating for the working class and veterans, Carolyn Rush is committed to bringing positive change to South Jersey. Carolyn Rush, a retired engineer, brings a wealth of experience and dedication to the table. Join us in supporting her campaign to build a better future for our community.

Joanne Famularo

Joanne Famularo is a small businesswoman currently serving her second term on Pleasantville City Council. As a businesswoman, she values fiscal responsibility and is committed to driving economic growth in the region. On City Council, Joanne has been a staunch advocate for making Pleasantville more affordable. She led efforts to defeat a proposed pay increase for council members and successfully blocked a harmful deal that would have privatized the sewer system and raised rates.

Joanne was born in Atlantic City and has deep roots in our community.

Maureen Rowan

Maureen Rowan is a respected and accomplished Trial attorney who practiced law for 35 years. She was also the owner and managing partner of a law firm, where she was responsible for all aspects of running the business.

Maureen will utilize her advocacy skills and business expertise to work for the people of Atlantic County and ensure that their rights, needs, and interests are always protected and considered a priority.

Dave Bailey, Jr.

Assemblyman Dave Bailey, Jr. is a lifelong Salem Countian and the CEO of the faith-based nonprofit Ranch Hope, Inc. He leads a dynamic staff of 200 people, including licensed clinicians, educators, health care and management professionals, volunteers, and support staff working for children, youth, and families in South Jersey.

Through collaboration and partnerships in the public and private sectors, Assemblyman Bailey has spent his 30-year career advocating for public policies and funding to assist children, youth, and families at the federal, state, and local levels.

Heather Simmons

Assemblywoman Heather Simmons previously served four terms as a Gloucester County Commissioner, making her the longest-serving female Commissioner in Gloucester County history and the first woman to be elected Deputy Director to the Board of Commissioners.

As a Commissioner, Assemblywoman Simmons developed a proven record of fiscal responsibility. She initiated a three-year freeze in government spending, reduced the tax rate, and attracted substantial new business investments, leading to the creation of thousands of local jobs. A staunch advocate for small businesses, she launched the 70-member Gloucester County Economic Recovery Collaborative in 2021, focusing on post-pandemic economic recovery and resiliency.

Cody D. Miller

Assemblyman Cody Miller serves on the Monroe Township Board of Education and is the director of Foundation and Alumni Relations at Rowan College of South Jersey.

Before his election to the school board in 2021, Assemblyman Miller served on the Monroe Township Council for four years. He was the youngest Democratic council member elected in township history at age 23.

Dan Hutchison

Assemblyman Dan Hutchison is a father of four, an attorney, and a five-term Gloucester Township Councilman.​

Assemblyman Hutchison has dedicated his career to helping people cope in difficult financial times. During his 29-year career as a bankruptcy attorney, he has proved himself a true problem solver and advocate, helping over 7,500 people save their homes and cars and obtain relief from crushing debt. He also served as the Gloucester County Regional Coordinator for the Financial Literacy Program, wherein he visited high schools throughout Camden and Gloucester Counties to discuss the pitfalls of obtaining and using credit unwisely.

During his time on council, Hutchison had been a staunch advocate for fiscal responsibility, lowering property taxes, economic development, investing in youth, and community safety.

William F. Moen Jr.

Assemblyman William (Bill) F. Moen Jr. Moen was first elected to the New Jersey General Assembly in November 2019, where he is the youngest member of both houses of the State Legislature. He served as a Camden County Commissioner from 2016 to 2019. The assemblyman earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Rowan University and a master’s degree in public administration from the Fels School of Government at the University of Pennsylvania in 2011. He served as U.S. Senator Cory Booker’s southern New Jersey director from 2013 until taking his Assembly seat in 2020. In his first term in the State Assembly, Assemblyman Moen authored laws to require public water systems to provide notice of elevated lead levels in drinking water to customers, as well as one that established the New Jersey Task Force on Long-Term Care Quality and Safety. Residing in Bellmawr with his wife Nicole, Mr. Moen served as a board member of the Rowan University Alumni Association and is a member of the Runnemede VFW Post #3324 Auxiliary since 2007. He is also a former coach with the North Camden Little League.

William W. Spearman

Assemblyman William (Bill) W. Spearman has led a successful career through his reputation as a troubleshooter and problem solver, known to work within whichever capacity he serves to both define the problem and develop solutions. Born and raised in Camden City, Assemblyman Spearman is a lifelong resident and a former city councilman. Assemblyman Spearman is a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and Rutgers University, where he obtained a degree in Business Management.

Melinda Kane

A proud Gold Star Mother, Assemblywoman Kane’s journey into advocacy has been deeply personal. Following the death of her son, Marine LCPL Jeremy Kane, who was tragically killed in Afghanistan, she devoted her time toward advocating for military families, veterans, and those in need. Her profound gratitude for the community’s support during her family’s darkest days drives her ongoing mission to give back with compassion, courage, and conviction.

Louis D. Greenwald

Assemblyman Lou Greenwald has represented New Jersey’s 6th Legislative District since 1996. He currently serves as the Assembly Majority Leader. During his tenure in the Assembly, Majority Leader Greenwald has led the fight on many key initiatives. He was the architect of the 2003 legislation to increase competition in New Jersey’s broken auto insurance market, which stopped a ballooning crisis in New Jersey and significantly increased the number of auto insurers in the State.

He also remains at the forefront of fighting to fundamentally reform New Jersey’s broken property tax system to provide real relief to seniors and working families. He has worked to secure full funding for the Senior Freeze, and ANCHOR programs, raise the Earned Income Tax Credit for New Jersey families, and double the veteran income tax deduction. He sponsored and played a key role in advancing the new StayNJ program, allowing seniors to finally afford to retire here at home. A long-time supporter of cancer research, Majority Leader Greenwald was instrumental in bringing a branch of the Cancer Institute of New Jersey to South Jersey, ensuring South Jersey cancer patients would not have to travel excessive distances and cross the Delaware River just to get the life-saving care they needed.

Balvir Singh

Balvir Singh, a husband, a father, a mathematician by training, and a public school educator by profession, is proud to represent the Legislative District 7 and serve as the first Sikh legislator in the state’s history.

A lifelong champion of resilience and opportunity, Singh spent his early childhood in a small village in Punjab, India, before immigrating to the United States with his family. Settling in Burlington City, Singh graduated from Burlington City High School and went on to earn a BA – Mathematics (The College of New Jersey, ’07), an M.Sc. – Mathematics (Rutgers University, ’09), and a supervisory certificate from Rowan University, ’15. With nearly two decades of experience as a public school educator and a passion for shaping the next generation, Singh brings a unique perspective to policymaking.

A proud millennial, Singh is committed to ensuring the voices of everyday people are heard in Trenton. With a focus on education, economic opportunity, and equitable access to essential services, Singh strives to build a better future for all New Jersey residents.

Carol Murphy

As a State Assemblywoman, Carol has shown a tremendous record fighting for the middle class and the issues that matter most to New Jersey families. She has become known as a prolific legislator and led efforts to codify abortion rights into our state constitution, deliver the most significant investment in women’s healthcare funding in state history, ensure pay equity, raise the minimum wage, reduce gun violence, provide affordable prescription drugs for seniors, stand up for LGBTQ+ rights, and reduce our property tax burden.

​Carol is the highest-ranking woman to ever serve from South Jersey in the state legislature and is fighting on the front lines during our most challenging times.

Anthony Angelozzi

Anthony Angelozzi is a U.S. History teacher at Hammonton High School and President of the Hammonton Education Association. Anthony brings a unique and much-needed perspective on what it takes to help our students and schools succeed. Anthony, the son of two casino gaming employees, worked his way through college by working at an Atlantic City casino.

Anthony Angelozzi earned a master’s in American history at American Public University. He is also a NJEA Uniserv consultant for Atlantic and Cape May counties. In that role, Anthony works as a union organizer and contract negotiator. As president of the HEA, he represents the district’s certified staff, instructional aides, secretaries, custodial staff, maintenance staff, and grounds staff. Angelozzi takes great pride in being able to advocate for his co-workers.

Andrea Katz

State Assemblywoman Andrea Katz is a mother of three who championed grassroots public policy advocacy to increase public education funding across South Jersey In a 2023 upset, she became the first Democrat to win the 8th Legislative District in 50 years. During her first term in the General Assembly, Andrea distinguished herself as a fierce advocate for reproductive freedom and public education, making our state more affordable, and using public policy to bolster our wonderful agricultural economy in the Garden State.

Andrea Katz serves on the Assembly’s Commerce, Economic Development & Agriculture Committee, Environment & Natural Resources Committee, and Transportation & Independent Authorities Committee.

Rosalee Keech

Rosalee is born and raised in NJ and has been a Democrat since she was 18 years old. Her parents were hardworking and at 7 years old, she “helped” out at her father’s laundromat in Hoboken, folding laundry on Saturdays and during the summers. Because her father and grandmother were Holocaust survivors, she had always been taught to give back to the community as well as the importance of family. She attended public schools and paid her own way at Rutgers University, where she earned a BA in Economics and Education.

Upon graduation, she worked in NYC’s Wall St area for an insurance company and stayed in the financial sector for most of her career. Rosalee was in the World Trade Center seconds after the first plane hit the north tower, coming off from the last PATH train to enter the WTC station.

Coming to terms with 9/11, she retired early from her work as an Information Officer for a multi-national company so she could do something more meaningful with her life.

Rosalee has dedicated her “retirement” career to protecting women’s rights globally. She currently stands at the forefront of the fight against human trafficking as the United Nations Observer for PACT by ECPAT-USA. Her focus is on ending human trafficking by bankrupting its illicit profiteering and ending demand. As she previously served as Chief Observer to the United Nations for the League of Women Voters of the United States, she also works on increasing women’s leadership and participation in democratic political processes, human rights, and preventing violence against all women and girls. Driven by her commitment to preventing human trafficking, she serves as President of the NGO Committee to Stop Human Trafficking in Persons, Inc. and is a member of both the New Jersey Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Task Force and its Business/Regulatory Agencies subcommittee. She also serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors at the Jewish Home at Rockleigh, in Bergen County.

Lisa Bennett

Lisa Bennett has been a Stafford resident since 2012 with her husband John, a golden retriever, and cat. She is a recent empty-nester, but keeps active in our community as a Friend of the Library, member of the Stafford Women’s Club, Democratic Club, and St. Francis Parish choir. Lisa deeply believes that government begins at the local level and should represent all citizens, not individuals.

Debra Di Donato

Debra currently serves as the Democratic Municipal Chair of South Toms River. It was her personal journey through New Jersey’s healthcare system during preventative surgeries for breast and ovarian cancer that inspired her to take action. As a member of the NJ Medical Reserve Corps (NJMRC) and a partner with Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE), Debra has become a tireless advocate for the hereditary cancer community. Drawing on her expertise in healthcare administration, she works to create robust support systems and drive meaningful policy reforms for individuals and families affected by health issues.

Janine G. Bauer

I’m Janine Bauer. I’ve spent my life protecting families and communities, fighting polluters, and building smarter infrastructure. I’m not running to make a point—I’m running to do a job. As your representative in the State Assembly, I’ll bring 40 years of experience in law, legislation, and public service to protect our Shore communities, funding our schools, capping electricity costs, and cleaning up our drinking water—without raising your taxes.

Freshta Taeb

I’m Freshta Taeb, a local mom, business owner, and mental health professional. I have built a diverse and impactful career spanning multiple fields, including media, education, behavioral health, and advocacy for the most vulnerable.

I’m running for Assembly because I want to use my skills and background to enact policies that are in the best interest of New Jersey families. I hope I can earn your support and your vote!

Kyler Dineen

I’ve had executive management experience in the marketing, political, and nonprofit fields which has allowed me to gain professional expertise in project, program, and campaign development/management, organizational structuring/compliance, securing/maintaining strategic partnerships, marketing management, and multimedia production.

My formal education has been focused on comprehensively understanding the operational processes of small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and public entities with an emphasis on how digital and disruptive innovation impacts these processes. Courses I’ve taken covered merchandising, desktop publishing/web design, computer aided design, risk management, event planning, administrative technology, and sales.

My goal is to keep myself, my affiliated organizations, and my clients ahead of the curve in these fast-paced times we live and work in. I get my primary motivation from working on projects that make me feel like I’m making a unique difference in the lives of others. I take an entrepreneurial approach to everything I do, delivering creative contributions that bring meaningful results while forming close connections with those around me in the process. I am perhaps best known for my strong focus on organizational optimization and being able to find minimal-cost solutions to problems that others have overlooked. I believe that, as trite as it may sound, knowledge is power. As such, I’m always reading, networking, and otherwise keeping up with the latest events, trends, and tactics across various industries. My experience, connections, and areas of study are rather well-rounded and, as a result, my projects have been as well.

Jason M. Corley Sr.

Jason M. Corley, Sr., a proud 1994 graduate of Long Branch High School, is in his 16th year as the district’s Athletic Administrator. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Kean University in Recreational Administration, a Master’s in Education, and another in Educational Leadership. Jason holds a national certification as a Certified Master Athletic Administrator (CMAA) and was recognized as Athletic Director of the Year by Jersey Sporting News (2018), and the Shore Conference of High Schools (2022). In 2022, a national platform, BOUND sports named him “Athletic Director of Influence.” Jason has been honored by the NAACP, 525 Philanthropy Club, Latino American Association of Monmouth County, the City of Long Branch, and has been inducted into the Long Branch High School’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

Committed to service, Jason served as the President of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association’s Executive Committee (NJSIAA), and is active with the Long Branch NAACP, Boys & Girls Club Advisory Board, Long Branch Elks Club, the Fidelity Lodge #42 F&AM-PHA along with several other local leadership organizations.

Tennille R. McCoy

Assemblywoman Tennille R. McCoy is a dedicated public servant with a proven record of leadership and a passion for community service. She brings a unique perspective to the realm of public service, having successfully driven organizational success through effective people management, talent acquisition, and innovative employee engagement programs.

Assemblywoman McCoy has a Bachelor of Science Public Administration Degree from Virginia State University, Master of Science in Human Resources/ Labor and Employment Relations from Rutgers University and a Global Executive MBA from NYU Stern/ London School of Economics and HEC Paris, Business School. Her education served as a catalyst to navigate diverse industries, including government, financial services, sports and entertainment, real estate, healthcare, and food manufacturing.

Wayne P. DeAngelo

Assemblyman Wayne P. DeAngelo currently is serving his seventh term in the New Jersey General Assembly having been first elected in 2007. In the Legislature, he serves as Deputy Speaker; chairman of the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee; vice-chairman of the Assembly Military and Veterans Committee; member of the Assembly Appropriations Committee; and as a member of the New Jersey Council on Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs.

During his tenure in the General Assembly, DeAngelo authored notable laws such as creating hiring preference for veterans in the New Jersey State Police; routing out fraud in the unemployment insurance system by stopping payments to the incarcerated or deceased from receiving benefits and strengthening consumer interaction with third-party energy providers. He has worked to change school board elections to November; protected New Jersey’s military bases and those businesses connected to them; cracked down on deadly road-rage and auto insurance fraud; created civilian job opportunities for veterans in nursing and teaching; and established the Silver Alert system for missing individuals.

Anthony S. Verrelli

Assemblyman Verrelli is a life-long resident of Legislative District 15. Born and raised in Lawrence, Anthony graduated from Notre Dame High School before attending the Sam F. Secretario Carpenters Training Center. It was there that Anthony learned carpentry and it was the beginning of what would be a, currently, 30 year career as a building tradesman.

Family has always mattered to the Assemblyman. Born to immigrant parents right here in the 15th, Anthony is now married. He and his wife Donna have one beautiful daughter, Alyssa. Anthony and his family, including his parents Georgina and Freddie and brother Ronnie, all live in Pennington.

Anthony is dedicated to making sure New Jersey residents earn a respectable income so they can live well and retire with dignity. His career in the trades has allowed him to help others who have struggled with the traditional path of working in an office. As a member of United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America since 1989, and a Union Organizer since 1998, Anthony has fought for Union member’s wages and benefits.

Verlina Reynolds-Jackson

Assemblywoman Reynolds-Jackson proudly served for seven and a half years on the City Council before being elected to fill a vacant seat in the New Jersey Assembly representing the 15th Legislative District. She is currently serving her fourth term in the Assembly and has ascended to senior leadership, where she serves as Constituent Outreach Chair, Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Schools, and Vice Chair of the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

Additionally, she is a member of the Assembly Budget Committee, the Assembly Children, Families, and Food Security Committee, and the Joint Committee on Economic Justice and Equal Employment.

Joe Danielsen

Assemblyman Danielsen represents the 17th Legislative District, which includes the Middlesex County municipalities of New Brunswick, North Brunswick, and Piscataway, and the Somerset County municipalities of Franklin Township and South Bound Brook.

As an incumbent Assemblyman Danielsen has focused on increasing school aid, improving the lives of our veterans and senior citizens while reducing property taxes through the ANCHOR Program, and making it his mission to give back to the communities he serves. This includes his annual backpack drive, foodbank programs, clothing drives, job fairs, and pizza parties for veterans, seniors, and community members.

Kevin Egan

Kevin was first elected to the New Brunswick City Council in 2011. He has served as City Council President and is currently Vice President. As a member of the City Council Kevin works to create new jobs, fights for and supports initiatives for housing, education, and healthcare, and commercial development. He was re-elected in 2022 to a four year term.

Son of retired Assemblyman Joseph V. Egan and the late Yolanda Egan, Kevin was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly in November 2023 and was sworn in on January 8, 2024. He serves as a member of the Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee as well as the Oversight, Reforms, and Federal Relations Committee.

Sterley Stanley

Assemblyman Stanley’s journey to public service began in East Brunswick, where he moved 25 years ago and quickly became active in his community. After serving on the East Brunswick Township Council, Stanley made history as the first South Asian State Legislator from Middlesex County.

As Chair of the Assembly Regulated Professions Committee, Vice Chair of the Assembly Education Committee, and member of the Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee, he is proud of his work representing the district at the state level.

Robert Karabinchak

Assemblyman Karabinchak currently serves as Chair of the Assembly State and Local Government Committee, and is a member of the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee and Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee. He previously served as Deputy Majority Whip from 2018 to 2019.

The Assemblymen’s top priorities include investing in clean energy and renewable resources, improving our infrastructure, and tax reform. A lifelong resident of Edison, he is a local business owner, working as President of Tri-form Construction in Metuchen.

Assemblyman Karabinchak is married to his wife of 42 years, Linda. They are the parents of three adult children, Steven, Brian and Lori.

Yvonne Lopez

Yvonne Lopez was elected to the State of New Jersey General Assembly in November of 2017 representing the 19th Legislative District (Carteret, Woodbridge, South Amboy, Perth Amboy, Sayreville). Assemblywoman Lopez currently serves as Chair of the Housing Committee and member of the Transportation and Independent Authorities and Financial Institutions and Insurance committees respectively. Assemblywoman Lopez also serves as Deputy Speaker and is a member of the New Jersey Legislative Latino Caucus.

Assemblywoman Lopez previously served as a Commissioner on the New Jersey Complete Count Commission and the New Jersey Puerto Rico Commission. The Assemblywoman also served as the previous Chair of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators Latino Voting and Elections Task Force and current Chair of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators Housing Task Force.

Assemblywoman Lopez served as the Executive Director /CEO of the Puerto Rican Association for Human Development, Inc. (PRAHD). In her role the Assemblywoman was responsible for the day-to-day operations of PRAHD and its 80 employees and 10 programs. Assemblywoman Lopez provided direction and leadership while creating a highly successful integrated fundraising, community relations and public relations strategy. Assemblywoman Lopez is also a member of the New Jersey State Democratic Committee and a former North Brunswick Democratic Committeewoman. She is the founder of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Perth Amboy, NJ and has served on several boards and commissions—including the Middlesex County Human Services Advisory Council, the Local Advisory Committee for Hackensack Meridian Health, Raritan Bay Medical Center, the Perth Amboy Business Improvement District, the North Brunswick Zoning Board, and the Board of Advocates for Children of New Jersey.

Assemblywoman Lopez studied at Rutgers University and completed several advanced certificate programs with Boston College, Union School of Business and Rutgers University Center for Strategic Urban Community Leadership Institute.

Assemblywoman Lopez currently resides in Perth Amboy with her husband Sam Delgado.

Ed Rodriguez

Ed Rodriguez, a lifelong resident of Elizabeth, NJ, is running for the NJ State Assembly after winning the Democratic primary. Raised in the family-owned Madrid Restaurant on New Point Road, Rodriguez learned the value of hard work early, bussing tables and helping in the kitchen. He later earned a degree in Economics from Rutgers University, carrying with him the lesson that progress comes when people roll up their sleeves and get to work.

Overcoming a childhood stutter that once made it difficult to express himself in either English or Spanish, Rodriguez resolved to use his voice to advocate for others. His deep history in public service includes more than a decade as Elizabeth’s Director of Planning & Community Development, where he reduced vacant properties from 487 to 9, oversaw the creation of more than 400 affordable housing units, developed a million square feet of warehouse space, digitized property records, and expanded online permitting. He also partnered with hundreds of local nonprofits through the CDBG program, ensuring city projects delivered lasting value to the community.

Rodriguez believes the Assembly must confront statewide challenges head-on, including strengthening tenant protections, expanding healthcare access, and increasing school funding. Guided by the principle that in public service, value should always outweigh cost, he is determined to bring results-driven leadership to Trenton at a moment when hesitation is not an option.

Annette Quijano

Assemblywoman Annette Quijano has represented the 20th Legislative District since 2008 and has earned the reputation of a champion legislator, tackling the various issues people face in daily life. She understands the challenges middle-class families must overcome and works tirelessly to improve the lives of seniors, veterans, women, children and workers.

Assemblywoman Quijano is currently Majority Conference Leader, and a member of the Commerce and Economic Development Committee, Consumer Affairs Committee, and the Education Committee. She is also a member of the New Jersey Legislative Latino Caucus and the New Jersey Legislative Disability Caucus.

After completing a Bachelor of Science in Management from Rutgers University, she earned her Juris Doctor degree from Rutgers School of Law in Newark. She was later admitted to the bars in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Later in her career, Quijano served as Assistant Governor’s Counsel for Governors Codey, McGreevey, and Corzine. She was selected to the Assembly in 2008, and served as Chairwoman of the Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee from 2011-2018.

During the 2018-2029 legislative session, Quijano served as Chairwoman of the Assembly Judiciary Committee, where she oversaw the passage of landmark legislation such as her laws to allow all eligible New Jersey residents to get a driver’s license, and the removal of statute of limitations on sexual assault, in addition to advancing numerous bills to improve gun safety and advance LGBTQIA+ rights. In that session, 133 bills that Chairwoman Quijano sponsored or cosponsored became law. She was the first prime sponsor to nine of those laws, including legislation to allow striking workers to receive unemployment benefits, expand paid family leave, prevent and punish wage-theft, the Thomas P. Canzanella Twenty-First Century First Responders Act, and improve security at religious institutions by allowing the purchase of target hardening equipment through the New Jersey Non-Profit Security Pilot Program.

She also served on the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators and as Chairperson of the Hispanic Delegation on Racial Equity, an initiative of the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) funded bby the Kellogg’s Foundation. She is a member of numerous organizations such as the NJ State Bar Association and the Women’s Political Caucus of New Jersey. The Assemblywoman is also a Red Cross Volunteer, and an Honorary Girl Scout.

Andrew Macurdy

Andrew Macurdy, born and raised in New Jersey, comes from a family rooted in service. His mother’s family ran a highway diner, and both of his grandfathers served in World War II—one as a fighter pilot who was shot down over enemy territory and survived nearly a year before being rescued. Following in that tradition, Macurdy’s father attended the U.S. Air Force Academy and became a military pilot.

Educated in New Jersey public schools, Macurdy went on to Harvard Law School, becoming the first lawyer in his family. He served as a federal and state prosecutor in Newark and Jersey City before joining the Attorney General’s Office, where he developed the ARRIVE Together program, a public safety initiative pairing mental health professionals with police officers to respond to crisis calls. The program now operates in every town in Union County and dozens more across the state.

Macurdy’s wife, Ellen, is also a prosecutor, and together they are raising two children, Jack and Maeve. Now running for the NJ State Assembly in the 21st District, Macurdy is committed to solving problems and protecting the future for families across New Jersey.

Vincent M. Kearney

Raised in the nearby Township of Union, Vincent Kearney moved to Garwood with his wife Veronica in 2009 to raise their sons Anthony and Vincent. He is a graduate of Oratory Prep in Summit and the John H. Stamler Police Academy.

A career law enforcement officer, Vincent currently serves as a Union County Sheriff’s Office, an instructor at the police academy, and serves as a town councilman for the borough of Garwood. He previously worked as a 9-1-1 dispatcher and Emergency Medical Technician.

Vincent has volunteered on the Garwood Celebrations Committee, for the Mayor’s Wellness Campaign and is the co-founder of the Garwood LIVE project which has live-streamed government meetings in town since 2018.

Linda S. Carter

Linda Carter, affectionately known as “New Jersey’s Wonder Woman” has spent her entire career fighting for the underprivileged and middle-class communities. She has served locally for nearly two decades, as a member of the Plainfield City Council and as a member of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders – earning a reputation as a bold progressive, and pragmatic trailblazer willing to take on a wide array of challenges that affect her communities.

On May 24, 2018, LindaCarter, a lifelong resident of the City of Plainfield, was appointed to serve as a member of the New Jersey General Assembly representing the 22nd Legislative District, composed of Union, Middlesex & Somerset Counties to fill the vacancy caused by the late Assemblyman Gerald B. Green. Shortly thereafter, Assemblywoman Linda Carter was elected at a special election held on November 6, 2018, to fill the unexpired term. Currently she serves as the Chair of the Higher Education Committee and Vice Chair of the Transportation and Independent Authorities. and serve on the New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus.

The youngest of her siblings, she graduated from the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Assemblywoman Carter also holds a Master of Science degree in Management, Information Management from Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken.

James J. Kennedy

James J. Kennedy has represented New Jersey’s 22nd Legislative District in the General Assembly since January 2016. A lifelong Democrat, Kennedy is known for his decades of public service and hands-on leadership. From 1991 to 2010, he served as Mayor of Rahway, guiding the city through a period of significant redevelopment, downtown revitalization, and infrastructure improvements that helped position Rahway as a hub for arts, culture, and business growth.

Before joining the Assembly, Kennedy combined business ownership with deep community involvement. He operated Kennedy Jewelers, served as president of the Rahway Chamber of Commerce, and was a trustee for the Rahway YMCA. His professional experience also includes founding Skye Consulting, LLC, where he advised local governments, redevelopment contractors, and utility companies on economic growth and urban renewal projects.

In the Assembly, Kennedy continues to champion policies that strengthen local economies, invest in infrastructure, and improve quality of life for residents. He and his wife, Lori, a retired kindergarten teacher, have one son, Sean, who manages the family jewelry store.

Guy Citron

Guy Citron, a third-generation New Jerseyan, is a dedicated father, entrepreneur, and community leader running for the State Assembly to bring people-first leadership to Trenton. A strong advocate for civic engagement, he serves as Chair of the Political Action Committee for the Hunterdon County NAACP and previously sat on the executive committee of the North Hunterdon Voorhees Intellectual Freedom Fighters, where he championed free expression and mental health support in schools.

Citron brings global business experience to local advocacy. After building a multimillion-dollar media company abroad, he returned home to raise his son and fight for working families, public schools, and small businesses. He is deeply engaged in his community, from organizing voter outreach to mentoring youth as a Scouts assistant den leader.

In the Assembly, Citron will focus on preserving small-town character by fighting warehouse sprawl, investing in skills and trade-based education, cutting red tape for small businesses, and ensuring government works for everyone. Not a career politician, he is committed to listening, responding, and delivering results for the people of LD-23.

Tyler Powell

Tyler Powell is running for the New Jersey State Assembly to bring integrity, accountability, and common-sense leadership to Trenton. Not a career politician, Powell is a husband, Rutgers graduate, family farmer, cybersecurity leader, and Quaker committed to representing everyday people.

Raised in the American Southwest, Powell spent mornings tending horses and evenings working in his family’s grocery store, learning the value of hard work, respect, and public service. After losing his home as a young adult, he moved to New Jersey and rebuilt his life from the ground up. He attended Raritan Valley Community College, becoming a strong advocate for affordable higher education and workforce training, then earned a bachelor’s degree in Management and Labor Relations from Rutgers while working in trades and retail.

Today, Powell helps safeguard America’s critical infrastructure as a cybersecurity expert, protecting the electrical grid and water systems from cyber threats. Public service runs in his family, his great-uncle served in the New Mexico State House, and Powell carries forward that legacy with a belief that good policy should serve everyone in the district.

Powell’s campaign is driven by his conviction that leadership means showing up, working hard, and delivering results for the people of New Jersey.

Eugene Grinberg

Eugene Grinberg came to New Jersey as a child refugee from the Soviet Union and has called the Garden State home ever since. He grew up in Morris County, married in Sussex County, and is now raising his family in Long Valley. Deeply connected to the region, he enjoys spending time outdoors with his children, exploring the Columbia Trail, and playing ultimate frisbee in the district’s open spaces.

A lifelong hard worker, starting his first job at age eleven, Grinberg has experience in the service industry and a legal career rooted in public service. Today, he works as a lawyer representing everyday people, not corporations. His dedication to the American Dream drives his commitment to ensuring every resident can enjoy the opportunities and quality of life that LD-24 and New Jersey offer.

Running for office for the first time, Grinberg is determined to bring new energy and a people-first approach to Trenton. He believes progress takes hard work—and he’s ready to work for the people, families, and future of the district.

Marisa Sweeney

Dr. Marisa Sweeney is a small business owner, public health advocate, and community leader committed to expanding healthcare access, strengthening local economies, and supporting working families across New Jersey.

As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and founder of Be Well Integrative Health Services, Dr. Sweeney has spent more than a decade providing affordable, holistic care through a team of licensed practitioners. Headquartered in Morristown and serving clients nationwide, Be Well partners with leading medical institutions to improve patient outcomes and expand access to comprehensive healthcare.

Marisa holds a Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition and has built a career focused on the intersection of healthcare, equity, and community wellness. She launched the Morristown Mayors’ Wellness Campaign, served as President of the New Jersey Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and currently serves on both the Morristown Planning Board and the Board of Directors of Grow It Green Morristown. She is also the co-founder of the New Jersey VegFest, one of the country’s largest plant-based food festivals, which has helped grow hundreds of small businesses and promote sustainable food systems.

She believes that healthcare is a human right and that public policy should serve families, not just special interests. Marisa has long championed reproductive freedom, accessible care, and strong local economies rooted in health and opportunity. Now, she’s running for State Assembly to bring that fight to Trenton and ensure every New Jerseyan has the care, housing, and future they deserve.

Steven Pylypchuk

Steve Pylypchuk is a civil engineer, public servant, and devoted husband and father committed to bringing fresh leadership and practical solutions to New Jersey’s 25th District. With nearly a decade of public service, Steve has served as Councilman for Morristown’s 3rd Ward, Chair of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, and a member of the Environmental Commission. These roles have provided him with firsthand insight into the challenges New Jersey families face and the practical know-how to address them effectively.

Professionally, Steve is the Director of Civil Engineering at a respected local firm, where he leads the design and management of complex infrastructure projects that directly impact communities. From improving stormwater systems to overseeing major road reconstructions like the Route 35 project after Superstorm Sandy, Steve’s career has been built on solving difficult problems, delivering projects on time and within budget, and ensuring lasting benefits for the public.

A lifelong New Jerseyan, Steve grew up in Bloomfield, attended public schools, and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering and project management from Stevens Institute of Technology. His education and professional experience have shaped his belief in the power of thoughtful planning and long-term solutions to create resilient, thriving communities. As a husband and father, Steve knows the realities New Jersey families face, balancing work and family, managing the high cost of childcare, and striving to provide a better future for their children. These personal experiences fuel his passion for supporting working families, expanding access to quality education, and creating housing solutions that are both affordable and sustainable.

Steve’s campaign is built on the belief that leadership is about more than talking points; it’s about listening, understanding people’s needs, and delivering solutions that work. His priorities include fixing New Jersey’s crumbling infrastructure, expanding affordable housing, ensuring equitable education funding, and safeguarding the rights of every resident.

Alixon Collazos-Gill

Alixon Collazos-Gill, born in Colombia and raised in New Jersey since she was 14, is a graduate of Long Branch High School and Rutgers University–Newark with a double major in sociology and Latin American literature.

She began her career with NJ Public Television’s Images/Imagenes program before serving seven years in U.S. Representative Steven Rothman’s district office. In 2016–17, Alixon co-directed the Latino Outreach Program for Governor Phil Murphy’s campaign, helping organize policy forums that influenced key progressive policies such as New Jersey’s sanctuary state status, driver’s licenses and in-state tuition for undocumented residents, and the $15 minimum wage.

Alixon supports commonsense gun safety measures, including childproofing firearms and banning gun purchases by those with violent offenses. She is a strong supporter of Governor Murphy’s climate change initiatives and investments, recognizing their importance for New Jersey’s future.

Alongside her government affairs work leading the cannabis branch of the BGill Group, Alixon remains dedicated to advancing progressive policies and representing diverse voices in New Jersey politics.

Rosy Bagolie

Assemblywoman Dr. Rosaura “Rosy” Bagolie (D – Essex, Passaic) proudly represents New Jersey Legislative District 27 and sits on the Assembly Financial Institutions & Insurance and Education committees. She brings a unique perspective to the legislative table – being a Jewish-Latina immigrant whose family emigrated from the Dominican Republic to America in search of a better life, chasing the American Dream.

As a lifelong teacher and school administrator who truly believes in the transformative power of education, Dr. Bagolie has risen to the top of her profession to serve as Principal and Superintendent of the East Newark School District; she is one of the few women in New Jersey to serve in that capacity.

Prior to being sworn in as a Member of the General Assembly, she sat as Councilwoman in Livingston Township, serving on the Township Planning Board, the Committee for Diversity and Inclusion (LCDI), the Advisory Committee for Disabilities (LACD), and the Council Liaison for Senior, Youth, and Leisure Services, as well as the Emergency Planning Committee.

Assemblywoman Bagolie attended Seton Hall University, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences, earning her Master’s in Elementary Education, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. She then obtained a second Master’s Degree in Special Education at Rutgers University. She is a resident of Livingston and a member of Temple B’nai Jeshurun in Short Hills. Assemblywoman Bagolie and her husband Ricky, who is an attorney, are blessed with three remarkable sons.

Chigozie Onyema

Chigozie, a Newark native born to working-class parents, spent his early years in the Hill Manor Apartments before moving to the Hilton neighborhood of Maplewood during his formative years. He is now a proud homeowner in Newark’s West Ward, close to where his parents first built their life together. His commitment to justice and equity began in New Jersey public schools, where he witnessed and challenged an unjust academic tracking system that disproportionately placed Black students in lower-level courses. At just 18, after graduating from Columbia High School, he ran for School Board with the support of the local teacher’s union, energizing students and parents around progressive change. Though he did not win, his campaign contributed to major reforms, including leadership changes and adjustments to tracking policies.

Today, Chigozie is an accomplished attorney, community organizer, and activist, serving as Senior Director for the Sustainable Cities program at PolicyLink, where he helps cities across the country advance bold climate action and address racial wealth inequities. Previously, he was Assistant Commissioner at the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs under Lt. Governor Sheila Y. Oliver, focusing on economic justice, and a Staff Attorney at the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, fighting to remove employment barriers for those with criminal convictions. He co-founded the Maroon Project, an activist incubator in Newark, and led Newark Freedom Summer 2020, a youth-led, community organizing initiative that combined civic education with direct COVID-19 relief.

Chigozie holds a J.D. from NYU School of Law, a B.A. in Afro-American Studies from Howard University, and an A.A. from Essex County College. His leadership has earned him numerous honors, including “40 Under 40” recognition from the National Bar Association and the Congressional Black Caucus Emerging Leader award.

Cleopatra G. Tucker

Assemblywoman Cleopatra G. Tucker, born April 9, 1943, in Birmingham, Alabama, has represented New Jersey’s 28th Legislative District in the General Assembly since 2008. She earned a sociology degree from Tennessee State University and spent much of her career at the Newark Housing Authority before retiring in 2002. Tucker later became executive director of The Centre, Inc., a nonprofit named in honor of her late husband, Assemblyman and Councilman Donald Kofi Tucker.

A lifelong Newark resident with deep community roots, she has been re-elected every two years and recently advanced from the 2025 Democratic primary. She currently chairs the Assembly Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee and serves as vice chair of the Aging and Human Services Committee, maintaining a strong record of public service and advocacy for her constituents.

Shanique Speight

Assemblywoman Shanique Davis Speight (born November 14, 1978) is a lifelong Newark resident and Democratic member of the New Jersey General Assembly, representing the 29th Legislative District since January 2018. She holds a Master of Arts in Human Services from Lincoln University and began her public service early, serving on the Newark Public Schools Advisory Board—eventually becoming vice chair—from 2007 to 2012. She also worked as an aide to Senator Teresa Ruiz from 2009 to 2010.

In 2012, she was briefly appointed to the Newark Municipal Council by Mayor Cory Booker, though a court later ruled the appointment invalid due to procedural issues. Since her election to the Assembly, she has taken on evolving leadership roles: she served as Deputy Parliamentarian (2022–2023), and in 2024, she was elevated to Deputy Speaker.

Assemblywoman Speight chairs the Aging and Human Services Committee, and also serves as Vice-Chair of the Regulated Professions Committee, as well as a member of the Health Committee. Outside the legislature, she continues to serve her community as an officer in the Essex County Sheriff’s Office.

Eliana Pintor Marin

Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin was born in Newark to Portuguese immigrant parents and raised in the city’s historic East Ward. She attended the Academy of St. Benedict and Mother Seton Regional High School before earning both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, along with certificates in Public Administration and International Relations, from St. John’s University. Her professional career began at Banco Votorantim Securities in New York City before she joined the County of Essex, where she now serves as Deputy County Administrator. Pintor Marin entered the General Assembly in 2013 representing the 29th Legislative District and was re-elected to her fifth term in 2023. She currently chairs the Assembly Budget Committee, co-chairs the Joint Budget Oversight Committee, and serves on both the Appropriations Committee and the State House Commission.

As Budget Chair, she plays a central role in negotiations over New Jersey’s $50 billion state budget, while championing working families in her district. She has helped pass laws restoring family planning funding, ensuring equal pay for women, and supporting female, minority, and veteran-owned small businesses. Pintor Marin has also advanced legislation protecting vulnerable residents, including prohibiting utility shutoffs for people using life-saving equipment, creating a campus sexual assault task force, and safeguarding tenants who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. She has been a leader in addressing Newark’s water quality, sponsoring laws to improve lead reporting in schools and child care centers and to replace lead-contaminated service lines. Her work on urban economic redevelopment includes reinstating the Urban Enterprise Zone program and co-authoring the New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020, which funds initiatives in jobs, property development, food access, small business growth, and renewable energy.

A dedicated advocate for women, families, and children, she has sponsored legislation expanding postpartum Medicaid coverage, exempting breast pumps from sales tax, requiring lactation rooms in public facilities, covering doula care, and providing baby boxes and safe-sleeping education to reduce infant mortality. Education remains a lifelong priority; she served on the Newark Public Schools Advisory Board from 2008 to 2014, including as Chair, and has sponsored laws on special education training for teachers, financial literacy, and expanding summer meal programs. Deeply rooted in her community, Pintor Marin has served as a district leader, volunteered in Portuguese cultural organizations, and directed the Luis Camoes Portuguese School. She is married to Anthony Marin, and they are the proud parents of three daughters—Amelia Maria, Aveline Mia, and Ariella Mila.

Jerry Walker

Jerry Walker is the co-founder and CEO of the non-profit organization, Team Walker. In 1996, The Jersey City native returned from a successful basketball career to give back to his community and make a difference in the lives of youth.

Team Walker provides academic and athletic afterschool and summer programs for over 500 boys and girls from the ages of 3 to 18 through structured STEM learning, safe recreational activities and access to positive role models. Jerry’s motto is to give youth a first chance to be great that way they’ll need fewer second chances.

In 2014, Jerry’s dream of building a state of the art community center was realized. The Team Walker Learning Center has allowed him to expand programming to the entire Hudson County community. Whether he is providing a free Farmers Market for families in District 3 or providing free G.E.D or ESL classes at the Learning Center, Jerry believes in making a difference in the lives of others.

Jerry has served on several local organizations including the Jersey City Job Search Assistance Program and as a board member to his Alma Mater, St. Anthony High school. He is a graduate of Seton Hall University where he is a Life Skills Coach and also serves as a Supervisor for the Jersey City Department of Recreation.

On the Board, County Commissioner Jerry Walker serves as Chairman of the Family Services Committee. He is liaison on the HC Planning Board and representative to NJAC. He also serves on the following committees: Economic Development and Housing, Environmental and Human Services, Contract Review, Public Safety and Purchasing.

Jerry is married to ShaRhonda and together they have a son, Chace and two daughters Rochelle and Shannon.

William Sampson

William B. Sampson IV, a proud graduate of Bayonne High School, earned an athletic scholarship to Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia. Since 2013, he has been a crane operator at Bayonne Global Container Terminal and a member of the International Longshoreman’s Association (ILA) Local 1588. As the union’s political liaison, he works closely with city hall and civic leaders. He also serves as Vice President of the Hudson County chapter of the Asa Philip Randolph Institute, a Black union organization advocating for economic and racial justice. Will has volunteered with various charitable organizations, including the Jersey City Boys and Girls Club, Mo Hair Foundation’s Men of Distinction, numerous toy drives and donation programs. He previously served on the board of The Bayonne Medical Center.

Driven by commitment to his community, Mr. Sampson entered public service in 2022, when he was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly representing the 31st Legislative District. When elected he was both the youngest sitting Assemblyman during the 220th Legislative Session, and the first African American from the City of Bayonne. Assemblyman Sampson Chairs the Consumer Affairs Committee and serves as Vice Chairman of the Labor Committee. As of 2024 he proudly holds the leadership title of Deputy Speaker. Will champions for policies that uplift working families, protect vulnerable populations, and find responsible ways to invest in the future. In 2023 the Assemblyman launched his own Civic Association, The William Sampson Civic Association, which works to assist with issues faced by residents of the 31st District.

Outside of his legislative duties, Will enjoys spending time with his family and is dedicated to creating a strong legacy for his son, Nico Nasir Sampson. His story is a testament to the power of faith, hard work, and dedication to making meaningful changes. His motto is: “If there is a “Will” there is “The” way!”

Ravi Bhalla

Ravi Bhalla is a dedicated public servant, proven leader, and lifelong advocate for New Jersey families. As Hoboken’s two-term Mayor, Ravi has championed policies that improve infrastructure, expand affordable housing, and address climate change. Known for his integrity and hands-on leadership, Ravi has delivered results that make a real difference in people’s lives.

Now, Ravi is running for State Assembly to fight for the values that matter most: IMPROVING OUR public schools, making communities safer, and ensuring New Jersey remains a place where working families can thrive.

Ravi is committed to bringing his experience, dedication, and progressive vision to Trenton for the benefit of all New Jerseyans.

Katie Brennan

Katie is a long-time Jersey City resident and dedicated public servant who gets things done. A trusted policy expert on housing, environmental justice, and protections for survivors of sexual assault, she has spent the last 15 years standing up to powerful interests and turning bold ideas into real results for working families.

Never afraid to fight for what’s right, Katie started her career by taking on Governor Christie to save the state’s affordable housing protections. She then helped secure the biggest influx of funding for affordable homes in New Jersey history, and launched the first-ever statewide hospital and housing agency partnership, now a national model for building affordable housing for families with serious medical needs.

Closer to home, Katie is an active community advocate who has fought for fair housing policies and tenant protections across Hudson County. She worked alongside neighbors to strengthen Jersey City’s inclusionary zoning ordinance and successfully defend Hoboken’s rent control law. Katie regularly speaks at city council and community meetings, showing up and standing up for her neighbors on the issues that matter most.

Katie has served in leadership roles at state and local housing agencies in New Jersey and New York. She also advises housing non-profits and serves on the board of The Waterfront Project. Katie graduated from Xavier University and earned a Master’s in Urban Planning from Rutgers University.

When she’s not fighting to make government work better for all of us, Katie can be found performing in local plays, exploring the state with her husband Travis, or grabbing coffee with neighbors—always ready to listen, learn, and fight for what’s right.

Larry Wainstein

Larry Wainstein has been a lifelong resident of Hudson County, proudly calling North Bergen his home. The son of two hardworking immigrants, Larry grew up inspired by their dedication to providing the best possible life for him and his brother. He graduated from Memorial High School in West New York and went on to become the first in his family to earn a college degree from Saint Peter’s University.

After college, Larry dedicated his time to community development, serving as Chairman of the Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) to promote economic growth and revitalize local neighborhoods, including Bergenline Avenue. As a successful New Jersey small business owner and passionate community advocate, Larry has consistently worked to improve the lives of his neighbors.

One of his proudest achievements was leading a grassroots effort alongside hundreds of North Bergen residents to prevent the construction of a proposed power plant in the town. Larry is happily married to his wife, Imelda, and they are proud parents to three children.

Gabriel Rodriguez

Gabriel Rodríguez is the proud son of two public-school educators and has always called West New York home. He grew up and attended public schools in West New York and currently lives there with his wife Ammie, and his daughter, Isabella.

Gabriel’s journey in government began over two decades ago. He served as Mayor of West New York from 2019 to 2023, where he prioritized infrastructure improvements, fiscal responsibility, and public safety. As Mayor, he led the Town during one of the worst global pandemics with a hands-on approach to the COVID response that helped save many lives – from testing to vaccination and providing countless meals to his community.

Prior to that, he spent four years as a Town Commissioner, overseeing critical departments including Public Works, Revenue and Finance, and Public Safety. Currently, Gabriel serves as an Assemblyman for our district and has done amazing work to bring key resources back home.

Michael Venezia

Mike Venezia has dedicated his career to public service, advocating for families, seniors, and workers across New Jersey. As a lifelong New Jerseyan, he understands the challenges facing our communities and is committed to delivering real solutions that put residents first.

From lowering the cost of living to strengthening our workforce, Mike has always stood up for what matters most. Now, he’s ready to bring that leadership to the State Assembly.

Carmen T. Morales

Assemblywoman Carmen Theresa Morales serves in the New Jersey General Assembly for the 34th Legislative District. She is a member of the Education Committee, Commerce, Economic Development, and Agriculture Committee, Joint Committee on the Public Schools, and Joint Committee on Economic Justice and Equal Employment Opportunity. She made history as the first Puerto Rican Assemblywoman in Essex County, continuing to advocate for education, community advancement, and empowering women.

Carmen is a dedicated education professional with over 22 years of experience in the field. She is currently serving as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction for the Essex County Schools of Technology. Prior to assuming her current role, she held the position of Principal at Essex County Newark Tech High School, her alma mater.

She is the first in her family to attend college and has earned a Bachelor’s degree, a Master’s degree, and an Education Specialist degree. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Education at Seton Hall University.

Assemblywoman Morales is passionate about education and is committed to student success.She has a deep understanding of the challenges that many students face and is dedicated to helping them overcome those challenges. Additionally, she is a proud lifetime member of her sorority, Lambda Theta Alpha, Latin Sorority, Inc., where she has held various leadership positions.

Benjie E. Wimberly

It has been my privilege to serve in many roles—husband, father, coach, and Brother of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated. Each of these responsibilities has profoundly shaped my career, my passion for activism, and my deep commitment to public service.

As a State Senator, I have come to understand that meaningful change is rooted in the strength of community. Every engagement with residents, every piece of legislation, and every act of service is a reminder that our collective well-being depends on the care and connection we foster with one another. I’m truly humbled by the opportunity to give back to the community that has given me so much.

You can’t spell Benjie without NJ—because, at the heart of it all, it’s the people of this great state who inspire and guide everything I do.

Al Abdelaziz

Assemblyman Abdelaziz made history as the first Palestinian American elected to local office in Paterson. He served six years on the City of Paterson Municipal Council, where he championed community development and served as a staunch advocate for his constituents. Additionally, as co-chair of the Paterson Municipal Democratic Committee for more than a decade, he has been a driving force behind civic participation and democratic values.

Assemblyman Abdelaziz has dedicated his career to leadership and collaboration. With more than a decade of experience in education, serving as an Assistant Principal at Passaic County Technical Institute, he excelled in curriculum development, program evaluation, and community engagement.

“Representing the 35th Legislative District is both a privilege and a profound responsibility,” said Assemblyman Abdelaziz. “I am ready to bring my dedication to fostering inclusivity and empowering others to the table as we work together to strengthen our schools, ensuring every voice is heard.”

Fluent in English and Arabic, Assemblyman Abdelaziz holds a Master of Science in Educational Administration from the University of Scranton and a Bachelor of Science from William Paterson University.

Kenyatta Stewart

Kenyatta Stewart Esq. : A Proven Leader for the 35th District – Kenyatta Stewart Esq. is a proud son of Paterson, NJ, a champion for justice, and a leader committed to building stronger communities. As a seasoned attorney and dedicated public servant, Kenyatta has spent his career fighting for fairness, accountability, and real solutions that uplift working families.

After earning his Political Science degree from William Paterson University and his Juris Doctorate from Hofstra Law School, Kenyatta built a distinguished legal career—representing everyday people, elected officials, and government entities alike. From defending civil rights to holding landlords accountable and ensuring safer neighborhoods, his impact has been both bold and transformative.

As Newark’s Corporation Counsel, he leads groundbreaking initiatives—taking on bad landlords, fighting against unfair policies, and ensuring justice for vulnerable communities. His leadership extended beyond the courtroom, brokering a historic gang truce in Paterson that gained national attention and working tirelessly to bring peace and opportunity to the city’s toughest neighborhoods.

Recognized among the Top 100 Black Lawyers and honored as a Young Trailblazer, Kenyatta doesn’t just advocate for change—he makes it happen. From mentoring youth to leading voter education efforts, his commitment to service is unwavering.

Now, he’s ready to take that fight to Trenton. Kenyatta Stewart is running for Assembly in the 35th District to bring bold leadership, real results, and a voice that truly represents the people. A Fighter for Justice. A Champion for Change. A Leader for Us.

Clinton Calabrese

Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese is running for reelection to the New Jersey State Assembly, representing District 36, which covers municipalities such as Ridgefield, Teterboro, and Lyndhurst.

Assemblyman Calabrese has served on the Cliffside Park Board of Education and is a principal in the Cliffside Park real estate development and investment firm Alkova Companies.

As a member of the state Assembly, Calabrese sits on the Agriculture and Natural Resources, Commerce and Economic Development, and Higher Education Committees.

Gary S. Schaer

Gary S. Schaer is an American politician serving as a member of the New Jersey General Assembly, representing the 36th legislative district. He was first elected in November 2005 and has been a long-standing member of the legislature, currently holding the position of Policy Chair. He also serves as the Council President for the City of Passaic, a position he has held for many years.

Ellen Park

Assemblywoman Ellen Park made history in 2021 as the first Korean American woman elected to the New Jersey Legislature and currently represents the 37th Legislative District in Bergen County. An attorney from Englewood Cliffs, Park serves a diverse district that includes Fort Lee, Leonia, Teaneck, Tenafly, and Palisades Park. She is also the only East Asian member of the Legislature, a distinction she uses to elevate Asian American voices and champion representation.

An immigrant from South Korea, Park came to the United States at age six without being able to speak English. She grew up in Queens, New York, where her parents ran a flower shop, and graduated from the Bronx High School of Science before earning a political science degree from New York University. Her early political involvement began with a voter registration drive in Flushing in 1996.

Park served on the Englewood Cliffs Borough Council from 2016 to 2018 after winning election on her second attempt. Her platform emphasizes community outreach, ensuring residents receive information in multiple languages, and expanding the teaching of Asian American history in schools. She is also committed to mentoring young Asian Americans to pursue public service.

Park lives in Englewood Cliffs with her husband, attorney Richard Ma, and their two sons, Dante and Axel.

Shama A. Haider

Assemblywoman Shama Haider was born and raised in Pakistan, and she served as a secretary to Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s wife before emigrating to the United States in 1977. In 2001 and 2015, she was elected to serve on the Tenafly Borough Council, and, in 2021, she became, along with Sadaf Jaffer, one of the first two Muslim women to be elected to the New Jersey state legislature and one of the first three Asian American women to be elected to the legislature (along with Jaffer and Assemblywoman Ellen Park).

Assemblywoman Haider currently serves as deputy majority leader and as the chair of the Children, Families and Food Security committee. She also serves on the Appropriations and Health committees.

Chris Tully

Chris Tully is a father, husband, and neighbor who served on the Borough of Bergenfield council for eight years. Chris is a proud first-generation Irish American whose immigrant parents demonstrated for him the power of hard work and giving back. He’s dedicated his career to public service, working to reign in debt and spending on Borough Council and put his town on stable and responsible financial ground.

In the Assembly, Chris is working to keep our communities safe, make New Jersey a more affordable place to live, raise a family, and retire, and ensure we always protect a woman’s right to choose.

Lisa Swain

Lisa Swain is a mother, wife, world-class triathlete and distance runner, and the former mayor of Fair Lawn. Lisa is proud of her ability to get things done for New Jersey women. She is the legislature’s leading voice on protecting abortion access in New Jersey and shielding our residents from extreme anti-abortion laws that have been passed in other states.

Lisa voted for the toughest equal pay for equal work provisions in the country, and she wrote a new law that will put critical menstrual health products into reach for thousands of young women across the state.

Donna Abene

Candidate for State Assembly NJ LD 39 Vice-Chair at Democratic Legislative District 39. Trustee at New Bridge Medical Center Foundation. Advisor/Founding Member of WEDO Women Empowered Democratic Org. of Bergen County.

Andrew LaBruno

Former Dumont Mayor Andrew LaBruno (LD39) has spent the last decade of his professional career revitalizing his community and advocating for the needs of his residents and neighbors. His commitment to public service led to his election to the Dumont Borough Council in 2018 and to Mayor in 2019.

Currently serving as a Police Sergeant in Jersey City, LaBruno’s leadership extends beyond his role in the department, having also served as Union President of the Jersey City Police Superior Officers Association.

Over the years, he became an active member of the Dumont Community, volunteering as a coach for Dumont Recreation sports. In 2016, LaBruno founded the Dumont Community Group (DCG), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to fostering positive change in the community through engaging events. Under his leadership, DCG revitalized the Dumont 5K, introduced Movies in the Park, organized the first town-wide garage sale, and supported beloved borough events like Dumont Day.

Jeffrey Gates

As a former Caldwell council person and council president, I worked hard along with my fellow council members to allow Caldwell to continue to be a community we all love to live in and make it a better place for the future.

My actions as a member of the governing body helped move the town in a positive direction, and now I strive to do the same for LD40.

Vin Gopal

State Senator Vin Gopal was elected in 2017 and re-elected in 2021. He has sponsored dozens of pieces of legislation that have become law. Senator Gopal has championed legislation to provide aid for education and local businesses; provided property tax rebates for taxpayers, seniors and veterans; made life more affordable for seniors; make mental health services more accessible, improved public safety and teared down barriers to employment and services for members of the disabilities community.

Previously serving as Chair of the Senate Military and Veterans’Affairs Committee, Senator Gopal currently chairs the Senate Education Committee and serves as Senate Majority Conference Leader. He also is Vice-Chair of the Senate Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee, and a member of the Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee. In his 30s, Senator Gopal is currently the youngest member of the NJ State Senate and the first South-Asian American to be elected to the Senate in New Jersey history.

A dedicated volunteer who works with many nonprofit organizations to assist people in need, Senator Gopal is also the Founder and President of the Vin Gopal Civic Association, a 501c(3) organization dedicated to helping Monmouth County charities and individuals in need. His community contributions as a volunteer include serving as a past Board of Trustees Member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monmouth County, and he served for many years as a volunteer first responder and EMT. He is also a former Adjunct Professor at Monmouth University and is currently the co-chair of the Monmouth University School of Civil Discourse.

An entrepreneur, Senator Gopal has started and built several businesses and is currently a business consultant and coach. Senator Gopal has served on the Board of Directors for the Northern Monmouth County Chamber of Commerce, and as President of the Hazlet Township Business Owners Association. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, he created a districtwide organization of business, community, church, and nonprofits leaders to address the challenges of the coronavirus to the local economy.

Born in Neptune Township and raised in Monmouth County, Senator Gopal holds a Masters in Public Administration from Rutgers University and a bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania State
University.

Margie Donlon

Dr. Margie Donlon was elected to the New Jersey State Assembly in 2023 as the first
female physician in the legislature. In her first year as an Assemblywoman, Dr. Donlon has
sponsored over 200 pieces of legislation. She has focused on both affordability for our residents
by sponsoring legislation necessary to implement the new Stay NJ property tax relief program.
She also has championed the economic development of Monmouth County by passing legislation
to encourage film production in the State and removing barriers to those seeking liquor licenses
at Fort Monmouth. Dr. Donlon has sponsored several pieces of legislation to improve medication
costs and protect women’s reproductive health.

She is a board-certified practicing physician, specializing in caring for patients with
injuries and disabilities. She holds a Masters in Public Health with a focus on Health Policy from
Yale University, a Medical Degree from the University of Rochester, and a bachelor’s from
Middlebury College. She completed her residency training in physical medicine and
rehabilitation at the Kessler Institute through the residency program at Rutgers (formerly
UMDNJ) and received her certification from the American Board of Physical Medicine and
Rehabilitation. Dr. Donlon is passionate about improving the quality of life for her patients and
advocating for their needs. Currently, Dr. Donlon is the only physician sitting on the Assembly
Health committee.

Previously, Dr. Donlon served as the Deputy Mayor of Ocean Township, where she sat on
the town council from 2019 through 2023. In Ocean, she acted as the Liaison to the
Environmental Commission, Shade Tree Commission, and the Green Team; and has worked in
alliance with the Deal Lake Commission and Deal Lake Watershed Alliance on important local
environmental issues. Dr. Donlon also served as a member of the LD 11 Economic Recovery
Advisory Council in 2020 during the Coronavirus pandemic, and was selected for Governor
Murphy’s Healthcare Transition Advisory Committee in 2017. In 2018, she was invited to attend
the U.S. Army War College National Security Seminar, where she discussed significant national
security issues with future and current leaders of the U.S. armed forces.

Dr. Donlon is committed to promoting healthcare education, serving on the Board of the
Surfers Medical Association, and presenting research at numerous medical conferences,
including the American Geriatrics Society, Association of Academic Physiatrists, and Surfing
Medical International.

An avid surfer, she is an active volunteer with the Surfers Environmental Alliance and
the Best Day Foundation, teaching adaptive surfing to kids with disabilities. Dr. Donlon resides
in Ocean Township with her husband, Ron, and her two daughters, Amalia and Vera.

Luanne Peterpaul

Born in Newark and a resident of Monmouth County for many years, Luanne Peterpaul,
Esq., was elected to the New Jersey Assembly in 2023. Peterpaul is the managing partner of
Peterpaul Law in Asbury Park, focusing primarily on labor and employment law, general
litigation, and training and education. Peterpaul previously served as an assistant Essex County
prosecutor, where she successfully prosecuted cases against criminals ranging from theft to
homicide, before being appointed as a Municipal Judge for the Cities of Long Branch and
Asbury Park from 2018-2022.

Peterpaul fundamentally believes in equal rights for all individuals, and has dedicated her
life’s work to advocating for marginalized individuals so people of all walks of life are able to
call New Jersey their home. As the former Chair of the Garden State Equality Action Fund,
Peterpaul, the first out gay woman to assume a position in the State Assembly, played a critical
role in creating and promoting anti-bullying legislation in the state legislature. Standing up to
bullies and promoting safety are core values for Peterpaul, who sat on the New Jersey
Commission on Bullying as well as the New Jersey Anti-Bullying Task Force. Additionally,
Peterpaul was instrumental in bringing marriage equality to New Jersey through her role on the
Board of Directors of Garden State Equality.

Peterpaul has continuously used education as a tool for promoting equality. She has
lectured for the New Jersey Institute of Continuing Legal Education, the New Jersey State Bar
Association Annual Conference, the American Conference on Diversity, the American Bar
Association, the New Jersey Judicial College, Rutgers University, Kean University, and the
Education Law Center, and presented numerous seminars to clients and interested parties in the
area of employment and education law and litigation. Peterpaul is an active member of the
American Bar Association, the New Jersey State Bar Association, and the Monmouth County
Bar Association, as well as a former member of the Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers of
New Jersey. Peterpaul has received numerous accolades for her work as a lawyer, as she is a
top-rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell, has been selected as a NJ Super Lawyer, and was
named to the New Jersey Law Journal List as one of the Diverse Attorneys of the Year in 2015.
She has also served as a legal analyst on various news outlets.

Peterpaul received her J.D. from Seton Hall School of Law and her bachelor’s from
Duquesne University. Peterpaul is committed to supporting the families of children with illness,
serving on the Advisory Committee of the Unterberg Children’s Hospital of RWJ/Barnabas
Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center and on the board of the Thomas Peterpaul Foundation.
She currently resides in Long Branch with her wife Robin.

Mitchelle Drulis

Mitchelle Drulis is no stranger to New Jersey politics. She began her career as a legislative aide to Assemblyman Bob Smith in December of 2000 before serving as the Chief of Staff to Assemblyman Joe Egan from 2002 to 2013. Drulis was the Political Director for then candidate Tom Malinowski in the 2018 midterms during which she led an outreach program to secure key endorsements for Malinowski. This support from key labor and grassroots organizations, along with an army of volunteers, led to the longtime republican-held Congressional District (NJ07) flipping to Democratic control. After Malinowski’s election in 2018, Drulis served as the District Director for his office where she developed and managed a constituent services program that assisted roughly 12,000 individual constituents across the district, and collaboratively worked with the Congressman to identify district needs and secure millions in federal funding for local municipal projects that directly benefit residents.

In addition to her political work, Mitchelle is the owner of a Somerset County based small business, has volunteered as class mom at Copper Hill and as Vice President of the RFIS PTO in the Flemington Raritan school district. Mitchelle is also a parishioner at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Readington Township where she was a volunteer RF instructor. Mitchelle attended Rutgers University where she was an Eagleton Institute of Politics – Undergraduate Associate. Mitchelle lives in Raritan Township with her husband Michael Drulis and her daughter.

Roy Freiman

Roy Freiman is a husband, family man, and former business leader who got things done. He left the private sector and ran for office because he wanted to find ways that the government could save costs and make smart investments for the future of Central Jersey. Roy uses his financial experience to invest in services like education, agriculture, open spaces, and road repair, while rooting out wasteful spending. He has consistently ensured organizations like Planned Parenthood have the funding to serve our community. Roy and his wife Victoria, a retired public-school teacher, have two grown children, Allison and David, and live in Hillsborough with their dogs, Harley and Penney.

A long-time resident of Central New Jersey, Roy is dedicated to building on the quality of life that brings residents and visitors to his region, including outdoor recreation, parks and historic sites, high-quality-schools, and local farms. As the Chairman of the New Jersey Assembly Agriculture and Food Security Committee, he is working hard to “keep the garden in the Garden State.” He strongly believes in preserving farms while also creating conditions that enable farmers to thrive economically. Roy also has a proven track record of supporting small business owners, who employ half the nation’s workforce and are pillars of 16th District communities. In 2022, he led the charge to undo burdensome new state regulations of craft breweries, who are emerging as key community hubs and tourism draws.

Andrew Zwicker

Andrew Zwicker is a scientist and educator at Princeton University’s Plasma Physics Laboratory. As your Senator, Andrew works to find sensible solutions to improve our quality of life today and for future generations. He uses evidence to author legislation that creates high-quality jobs, fosters innovation, and protects our environment. He and his wife Barbara, an elementary school educator, live in Kingston where they raised three children.

Andrew Zwicker took an unconventional path to the New Jersey Legislature. “I decided to live in both the world of science and the world of politics,” he says. “It’s time for the rise of the scientist in public office and for scientific thinking to permeate all public policy. By that I mean using evidence to make decisions.”

In 2015, Zwicker beat an incumbent by just 78 votes out of 34,000 cast to win a seat in the state Assembly. He was re-elected twice to the General Assembly by growing margins and then to the NJ Senate in 2021. The 16th District, which covers parts of four counties; Somerset, Hunterdon, Mercer, and Middlesex. He was the first Democrat to ever win in the 16th District.

Andrew focuses on creating jobs through investing in innovation, combating the climate crisis and restoring trust in democracy through structural, election-related reforms.

Issue-driven and hard to label, Andrew Zwicker brings a fresh outlook to everyday problems. With his background in science and higher education he brings a fact based pragmatism to the legislature.