Assembly Democrats Take Vote during Thursday Caucus Meeting

(TRENTON) – Assemblyman Craig Coughlin (D-Middlesex) was re-elected by members of the Democratic Caucus to serve as the Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly during the 219th Legislative Session:

“I am honored to serve a second term as Assembly Speaker. I thank my fellow Assembly democrats for putting their trust in me to continue to serve as the leader of our caucus. 

“We have accomplished many great things over the last two years that have improved the lives of our fellow New Jerseyans including increasing the minimum wage, protecting our most vulnerable, and providing a record amount of school funding. 

“However, there remains a lot to be done in the coming months and into next year and I am happy to work with our 52 member caucus on all of the initiatives we hope to accomplish.

“We’re going to continue our mission to end food insecurity in the state — beginning with a bill that will address the school lunches for all children. We are going to continue to fight for our veterans, those facing housing insecurities, and all middle class families. 

“As I have stated in the beginning of my first term, we will serve as both team players and, at times, when we must, independent leaders on critical policy issues. 

“I am excited to continue to lead and look forward to working with all the members on my caucus as we move our democratic agenda forward.” 

Speaker Coughlin was reelected unanimously, along with the appointment of Eliana Pintor Marin as Budget Chair, Gordon Johnson as Speaker Pro Tempore and Annette Quijano as Majority Conference Chair.

Following his fifth consecutive reappointment as Majority Leader, Assemblyman Lou Greenwald (D-Camden, Burlington) released the following statement:

“I’m humbled and honored to be selected to serve once again as Majority Leader of our dedicated caucus. I’d like to thank my colleagues for their continued support, trust and faith. It gives me great joy to see the unique diversity of this caucus, and I’m proud that we are consistently able to find common ground on policies to benefit our working families. With reelected Speaker Coughlin and the rest of our dynamic leadership team at the helm, I know we will accomplish so much for the state we all love.

“I first came to the Assembly in 1996 with a clear goal. I wanted to help everyday families like my own, and give back to the community that gave me so much. I will continue to use my voice as Majority Leader to advocate for the people of New Jersey, and ensure our caucus never stops working to move our great state forward.”