New Jersey Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin (D-Middlesex) on Thursday announced three new appointments to the majority Caucus’ senior leadership team.
Returning to the Assembly Democrats’ senior leadership are Louis Greenwald (D-Camden, Burlington) as Majority Leader, Annette Quijano (D-Union) as Majority Conference Leader, and Gary Schaer (D-Bergen, Passaic) as Policy Chair. Benjie Wimberly (D-Bergen, Passaic) takes up the role of Speaker Pro Tempore replacing now-Senator Gordon Johnson. The chairs of the Assembly Budget and Appropriations Committees also serve on the senior leadership team. Eliana Pintor Marin (D-Essex) will remain chair of the Assembly Budget Committee.
Assemblywoman Carol Murphy (D-Burlington) will serve as the Majority Whip and Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D-Mercer, Hunterdon) will serve as Constituent Outreach Chair, a newly created position. The Constituent Outreach Chair will lead efforts to communicate with and receive input from various constituencies about the caucus’ legislative agenda. Assemblywoman Lisa Swain (D-Bergen, Passaic) will serve as the Appropriations Chair rounding out the new additions to the senior leadership team.
“Our caucus is lucky to have incredibly talented people with knowledge and experience in all walks of life,” said Speaker Coughlin. “The members listen to their constituents and come to Trenton ready to tackle the big issues we face to make life better for the people of New Jersey. This leadership team has gained the respect and trust of our colleagues and I look forward to working with them as we chart a path forward through these incredibly challenging times.”
Coughlin also announced the following committee chairpersons:
* Agriculture and Food Security – Asm. Roy Freiman (D-Somerset, Mercer, Middlesex, Hunterdon)
* Appropriations – Asw. Lisa Swain (D- Bergen, Passaic)
* Commerce and Economic Development – Asw. Britnee Timberlake (D-Essex, Passaic)
* Homeland Security – Asw. Shanique Speight (D-Essex)
* Housing – Asw. Yvonne Lopez (D-Middlesex)
* Human Services – Asw. Angelica Jimenez (D-Bergen, Hudson)
* Law and Public Safety – Asm. Bill Spearman (D-Camden, Gloucester)
* Science, Innovation and Technology – Asm. Chris Tully (D- Bergen, Passaic)
* State and Local Government – Asm. Anthony Verrelli (D-Mercer, Hunterdon)
Previously serving as Chair of Homeland Security, Assemblywoman Angela McKnight (D-Hudson) will move to a new appointment as Chair of the Assembly Aging and Senior Services Committee.
The remaining Assembly committees will see the return of 219th session chairs. Reappointments are as follows:
* Budget – Asw. Eliana Pintor-Marin (D-Essex)
* Community Development & Affairs – Asw. Shavonda E. Sumter (D-Paterson)
* Consumer Affairs – Asm. Paul D. Moriarty (D-Gloucester)
* Education – Asw. Pamela R. Lampitt (D-Burlington)
* Environment and Solid Waste – Asm. James Kennedy (D-Middlesex, Somerset, Union)
* Financial Institutions and Insurance – Asm. John F. McKeon (D-Essex)
* Health and Senior Services – Asm. Herb Conaway, Jr. (D-Burlington)
* Higher Education – Asw. Mila Jasey (D-Essex)
* Judiciary – Asm. Raj Mukherji (D-Hudson)
* Labor – Asm. Joseph V. Egan (D-Middlesex)
* Military and Veterans’ Affairs – Asw. Cleopatra Tucker (D-Essex)
* Oversight, Reform, and Federal Relations – Asm. Joseph Danielsen (D-Somerset)
* Regulated Professions – Asm. Thomas Giblin (D-Essex)
* Telecommunications and Utilities – Asm. Wayne DeAngelo (D-Mercer)
* Tourism, Gaming, and the Arts – Asm. Ralph Caputo (D-Essex)
* Transportation and Independent Authorities – Asm. Daniel R. Benson (D-Mercer)
* Women and Children – Asw. Gabriela Mosquera (D-Gloucester)
* Special Committee on Infrastructure and Natural Resources – Asm. Robert J. Karabinchak (D-Middlesex)
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