Speaker Vincent Prieto (D-32) is tapping Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly (D-35) to replace Assemblyman Gordon Johnson (D-37) to serve as Chairman of the Commerce and Economic Development Committee.

Johnson broke with the rest of Bergen to back Assemblyman Craig Coughlin (D-19) to replace Prieto as speaker.

Prieto subsequently recruited Wimberly of Passaic County – who belongs to the North Jersey Quad-County Alliance – to supplant Johnson.

“Assemblyman Wimberly has proved himself to be a smart and energetic lawmaker with a great fresh understanding of the needs of New Jersey’s working families and those struggling to make ends meet,” said Prieto. “Economic development and job creation are the lifeblood of our state and a centerpiece part of our progressive agenda to rebuild the middle-class, and I’m excited that Assemblyman Wimberly will play a leadership role in our effort.”

Wimberly has served in the Assembly since 2012 and has been a Deputy Speaker since 2016. He previously served on the City of Paterson Council from 2010-12.

“Assemblyman Wimberly has shown he knows how to get things done for the benefit of the hard-working families of our state,” Prieto said. “I look forward to working closely with him on the all-important issue of growing our economy.”