Julie Diaz, the state political director for 32BJ SEIU, will chair the Latino Caucus for the Democratic State Committee.

Democrats tapped Diaz at a Victor 2017 Latino Legislative Caucus event on Sunday, held in Edison. Those in attendance included state Senator Nelli Pou (D-35), state Senator M. Teresa Ruiz (D-29), Assemblywoman Annette Chaparro (D-33), Assemblywoman Marlene Caride (D-36), Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin (D-29), and Assemblywoman Annette Quijano (D-20).

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Phil Murphy and Middlesex County Democratic Committee Chairman Kevin McCabe also attended the event.

A veteran party operative, Diaz of Perth Amboy cut her teeth in politics as a grassroots organizer in the Barack Obama for President Campaign of 2008. She later worked for Governor Jon Corzine, and as chief of Staff to Quijano before becoming the political director for the Service Employees International Union in New Jersey.