New Jersey’s Apportionment Commission wrapped up its redistricting process for legislative districts two Fridays ago, more than a week ahead of its March 1 deadline, but without the requisite neat little bow. Analysts and politicos across the state are still trying to figure out what the fall out will be. Initial conversations have centered around battles in Hudson and Essex where incumbents will be forced to compete for Senate seats and already we have seen some battle lines drawn and some truce flags flown. In all the backroom conversations and deal making however – where are the women?

Let’s talk about Hudson for a minute. There is an open Senate seat and multiple conversations about whether incumbent Assembly members, who rely on the whim of Mayoral courtesy, may be replaced. In a deal cut to avoid a Sacco/Stack primary in the newly minted 33rd district (in a meeting between four individuals where I should point out that no women were present), there is talk of replacing HCDO Chair Amy DeGise (one of only five women Democratic chairs) with Sacco ally Anthony Vainieri. In New Jersey politics, county party organization chairs are the ultimate power brokers, especially when their party enjoys a consistent plurality in the county. Decisions that make or break political careers are made at this level – we need more female representation here, not less.

In a state where the Senate lags woefully behind on female representation (at 25%) we cannot afford to lose yet another in the new LD34. Assemblymember Britnee Timberlake has emerged as an early frontrunner for the open senate seat and I encourage her to seize the opportunity as boldly as future Senator Raj Mukherji (whose candidacy is a definite win for both AAPI representation and feminist policies) did. Additional opportunities created in both LD34 and LD32 for Assembly seats should prioritize intersectional minority representation as well.

Historically women have been propped up by chairs and dealmakers  to bolster the political ambitions of men or when it suits their need to “meet a moment.” This practice must end because as the old adage goes, if we are not at the table, women will be on the menu. We all recognize the need for a better representative government whether it be in terms of gender, race, ethnicity or other minority category. But in a state where party endorsements determine electoral outcomes, a map is not going to matter as much as party leadership. 

To correct the representation disparity, we cannot just rely on open seats. To close the gap, we need  to place a premium on gender and minority representation. We need a commitment from party leadership that they will seek to create parity when choosing candidates, replacing incumbents if necessary and selecting intersectional candidates when possible. Let’s walk the talk, New Jersey!

Anjali Mehrotra is President of the National Organization for Women of New Jersey and a cabinet member of Emerge NJ.