Statement from Co-Chair LeRoy J. Jones, Jr. on the Historic Consensus of New Jersey’s New Legislative Apportionment Map

Trenton- New Jersey Legislative Apportionment Commission Democratic Co-Chair Leroy J. Jones, Jr. today released the following statement on the adopted map:

“The map we finalized today is historic and I am very proud of the exceptional work done by our team, including Commissioners Cosmo Cirillo, Laura Matos, Gary Taffett and Diane Testa, as well as Executive Director Saily Avelenda, counsel Raj Parikh and the consultants and volunteers who dedicated their time, efforts and talents to achieve this historic outcome.

This historic bipartisan map directly reflects the principles outlined by independent member, Judge Philip Carchman, and was able to come to fruition through the hard work and efforts of Republican Co-Chair Al Barlas and his team.

As a result of our collective efforts and the input we received from the general public, we have produced a fair legislative map that is representative of all of New Jersey and the residents it serves.

This historic map will provide opportunities for increased minority representation in Hudson County and Essex County while essentially maintaining or improving upon Democratic advantages reflective of the most recent Census data throughout the state.

However, true ‘consensus’ cannot be achieved without compromise from all parties, and that is what happened during this historic process.

In both Hudson County and Essex County, we were left with very difficult choices after indications that we could not win Judge Carchman’s vote if we split Newark and Jersey City into three legislative districts. This creates the likelihood that some long-time and very well-respected Democratic State Senators now find themselves in the same district, and other Democratic legislators find themselves in tough races. Despite those sacrifices, we were able to protect our Democratic Majority in this map and also continue to reflect hard-fought victories from the existing map.

However, we leave here today knowing we achieved the best possible outcome for Democrats and that we can continue to thrive and prosper over these next ten years if we put in the work.

We also leave here knowing what can be accomplished when we work together for the people of New Jersey, and that is historic.