Speaker Coughlin Names Assembly Senior Leadership for 220th Session

(TRENTON) – Beginning his historic third term leading the most diverse Assembly Democratic Caucus in history, Speaker Craig J. Coughlin (D-Middlesex) on Thursday announced three new appointments to the majority Caucus’ 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.”

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.

“These are three highly capable, qualified, and passionate legislators, who I trust with great confidence to help us advance an agenda in the interest of the working people and families of our state,” said Speaker Coughlin.

For the first time, the senior leadership team in the Assembly Democrats will be majority female.

“I’m incredibly proud of the team we’ve put together combining long-standing expertise with fresh new voices, who will altogether empower our work in service of New Jersey’s 9.3 million residents,” said Speaker Coughlin. “We are once again ready to get to work.”

In addition to the nine-members of the senior leadership team, the Assembly Democrats’ leadership for the 220^th session will also include:

• Deputy Speakers –
  • Herb Conaway Jr. (D-Burlington)
  • Wayne P. DeAngelo (D-Mercer, Middlesex)
  • Mila M. Jasey (D-Essex, Morris)
  • Angelica M. Jimenez (D-Bergen, Hudson)
  • Pamela R. Lampitt (D-Camden, Burlington)
  • Gary Schaer (D-Bergen, Passaic)
  • Raj Mukherji (D-Hudson)
  • Yvonne Lopez (D-Middlesex)
• Deputy Majority Leaders –
  • Joseph Egan (D-Middlesex, Somerset)
  • Thomas Giblin (D-Essex, Passaic)
  • Roy Freiman (D-Somerset, Mercer, Middlesex, Hunterdon)
  • Bill Moen (D-Camden, Gloucester)
  • Angela McKnight (D-Hudson)
  • P. Christopher Tully (D-Bergen, Passaic)
  • Gabriela Mosquera (D-Camden, Gloucester)
• Deputy Speaker Pro Tempore – Annette Chaparro (D-Hudson)
• Parliamentarian – John McKeon (D-Essex, Morris)
• Deputy Parliamentarian –
  • Shanique Speight (D-Essex)
  • Raj Mukherji (D-Hudson)
• Deputy Whips –
  • Linda Carter (D-Middlesex, Somerset, Union)
  • Joe Danielsen (D-Middlesex, Somerset)
• Deputy Conference Leader – Daniel Benson (D-Mercer, Middlesex)