Planned Parenthood Votes NJ Adds T. Missy Balmir to Board, Joining Jennifer Holdsworth and Tricia Mueller

Board Represents Decades of Campaign/Issue-Related Experience in New Jersey and Across the Country

TRENTON, NJ – Planned Parenthood Votes New Jersey (PPVNJ) today announced that T. Missy Balmir has joined its Board of Trustees. Balmir is a well-known and highly sought-after government, financial and policy matter expert who has served in senior roles for New Jersey’s top government and political leaders at federal, state and municipal levels.

“I am deeply honored to join the Planned Parenthood Votes NJ Board,” said Balmir. “As a Black woman who once relied on Planned Parenthood’s health care services, I understand the critical intersection of reproductive rights, health care and racial justice. I am committed to working with PPVNJ to amplify the voices of marginalized communities and ensuring equitable access to comprehensive health care for all.”

PPVNJ’s Board of Trustees consists of internal members – those who work for Planned Parenthood advocacy organizations in New Jersey – and outside members. Balmir is now the third outside member of PPVNJ’s board, joining members Tricia Mueller and Jennifer Holdsworth, who joined the board in 2023. The collective experience and expertise of all three is among the most extensive political and campaign experience of any board member trio in New Jersey.

“At a time when rights in this country are being ripped away at an alarming rate, it is more important than ever to elect candidates who believe in the fundamental freedom of being able to make decisions about one’s own body,” said Jennifer Holdsworth.

“I am honored to stand with Planned Parenthood,” said Tricia Mueller. “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve on this board with Missy and Jen and am looking forward to doing the necessary and important work at hand.”

“Missy is an invaluable addition to our board,” said Jackie Cornell, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Action Fund of NJ and a trustee of PPVNJ. “Her career speaks for itself. She brings a depth of knowledge and understanding about PPVNJ’s most important issues that will be critical to future success here in New Jersey. With Missy, Tricia and Jenn, we know that future action taken by the board will be done with the ultimate goal of making New Jersey the paramount state for reproductive freedom in the country.”

Balmir is considered one of the most forward-thinking operatives in New Jersey with an extensive resume and wealth of experience. She launched her political consulting firm, Thorough Planning, in 2012. Balmir served as the African American Base Vote Director and Senior Advisor for Buono for Governor in 2013, Booker for Senate in 2014, Menendez for Senate in 2012/2018, was Deputy Campaign Manager and Political Director for Booker for Senate 2020 and a consultant for the NJ Senate Majority PAC.

Balmir is also a seasoned government administrator, having served as Assistant Commissioner of Operations at the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs in the Office of the Governor in the Corzine administration, Chief of Staff to East Orange Mayor Lester E. Taylor, Senior Advisor to U.S. Senator Bob Menendez and most recently Business Administrator for Hamilton Township Mayor Jeff Martin.

Tricia Mueller is Founder and CEO of Groundwork Strategies and is the former long-standing political director for the carpenters union. Mueller rose to the title of National Political Director for the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America before becoming a state director for Obama for America in 2008. She has run successful candidate campaigns and independent expenditure operations throughout the country. Today, Mueller serves as a labor liaison, helping businesses to understand the language of labor unions. She is a member of the American Association of Political Consultants and Vice-Chair of the National Board of Directors for the New Leader’s Council.

Jennifer Holdsworth, a licensed attorney, is a Senior Consultant for Prime Policy Group. She is recognized as a leading political and communications strategist with nearly 20 years of experience in and around Washington. Holdsworth has served as a senior staff member for several high-profile campaigns and organizations, including the presidential campaign for now-Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. During Secretary Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, Holdsworth served as New Jersey State Director for Hillary for America. She also was the National Finance Director and political advisor to Rep. Seth Moulton and Serve America PAC in 2018. When then-Mayor Pete Buttigieg ran for Chair of the Democratic National Committee, she served as Campaign Manager. She was also the Political Director and Deputy Executive Director of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, and later the Director of the coordinated campaign to re-elect New Jersey Senator Cory Booker.           

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About Planned Parenthood Votes New Jersey

Planned Parenthood Votes New Jersey (PPVNJ) is a nonpartisan political action committee that supports candidates for state and local office who are committed to protecting and expanding reproductive freedom.