Assembly Speaker
Craig Coughlin
Assemblyman Coughlin has been in the General Assembly since 2010, representing District 19. He has served in the legislative leadership role of Assembly Speaker since 2018. before being elevated to Assembly Speaker, he was the Parliamentarian from 2016 to 2017 and the Deputy Parliamentarian from 2014 to 2016. A graduate of St. John’s University and St. John’s University School of Law in Queens, New York, he is a practicing attorney in private practice in New Jersey.
What inspired you to run for office and become a legislator?
On election night in 1968, I remember asking my mother why we supported Democratic candidate Hubert Humphrey, and she said, “Because he supported people like us.” As a lifelong resident of Middlesex County, instilled with my mother’s passion for public service, I wanted to do everything I could to help my community. I wanted to improve the lives of all New Jerseyans, particularly our seniors and the most vulnerable. I knew that having a seat in the General Assembly would allow me to positively impact and be a voice in the room as important policy was being debated. Today, I continue the work of standing up for my constituents and the more than nine million people who call New Jersey home.
Name your greatest achievement and greatest disappointment as a legislator. If you could change one thing in Trenton, what would it be?
As a legislator, getting any bill you sponsor across the finish line and signed into law is a great achievement. Sometimes it takes time to build support and to get people behind a particular policy approach or solution. Raising the minimum wage was that kind of policy accomplishment I was proud to champion. I’d also say that our agility, perseverance, and willingness to come together as a State and Legislature to help people throughout the Covid-19 pandemic has been another source of great pride. There will always be problems for us to solve, and as hard as we try, we can’t solve every problem all at once. That can be tough, but it’s also what keeps us going. I would encourage us to focus on negotiating across our differences and keep working together toward consensus.
What are the legislative priorities, issues or areas of concern on which you would like to focus your attention?
New Jersey is made up of hard-working communities. Economic growth, jobs, pay equity, access to affordable and quality education, health care and controlling taxes are critically important. In the Assembly, we are constantly working on issues to improve the quality of life for New Jerseyans. Looking ahead at infrastructure projects and investments that generate transformative change and high-paying jobs is where I would like to focus our work.
Coming out of the pandemic, what are the lessons you’ve learned, and how do you think those lessons should guide public policymakers going forward?
We learned a number of lessons. We learned how adaptable we could be. We learned that certain communities face serious inequalities. We learned that there’s an alarming mistrust of government and even science, and we realized that we are resilient in the face of significant challenges. Most importantly, though, we learned that we are stronger together.
By carrying forward the spirit of unity that made us effective in our pandemic response, we can continue to ensure government works for the people. What that means for us as policymakers are coming to the table with a genuine interest to hear everyone and a willingness to bridge our divides to find meaningful solutions.
What was the make and model of the vehicle in which you learned how to drive? Also, what was the first (new or used) vehicle you owned?
I first learned to drive in a green 1972 Chevy Impala and later went on to own a used red Chevy Vega.
Assemblyman
Eric Houghtaling
Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling has represented New Jersey’s 11th Legislative District since 2016. He serves as the Deputy Majority Leader, as well as Chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee, Vice-Chair of the Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee, and member of the Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Committee.
What inspired you to run for office and become a legislator?
I was born and raised in Neptune, became Mayor, and have had the privilege of serving on the Neptune Township Committee for four years. I have also served as a representative to the Monmouth and Ocean Counties Central Labor Council. I am a career electrician and a proud, 40-year member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 400. I have always strived to give back to the community I raised my family in, so I decided to run for Assembly to continue helping people the best way I know how.
Name your greatest achievement and greatest disappointment as a legislator. If you could change one thing in Trenton, what would it be?
Greatest achievement: I am proud to help make our roads safer in New Jersey. Last legislative session, I strengthened the “Move-Over Law” in New Jersey, requiring drivers to slow down and move over a lane away from workers whenever possible or face a ticket and fine. Drivers would also have points added to their records if they violated the law three times.
Greatest Disappointment: Assemblywoman Downey and I agree that sometimes it takes too long to get common-sense bills signed into law. To help the residents of New Jersey, I will always advocate to make the legislative process move with the speed a bill deserves.
Changing something in Trenton: I would love to see more communication between legislators creating laws and the groups or people the bills would impact. If we can have a clear, honest conversation with each other, we will be able to enact common-sense laws that will make an impact on their lives, as opposed to surface-level legislation that may or may not be harmful to the very group it is supposed to help.
What are the legislative priorities, issues or areas of concern on which you would like to focus your attention?
By being a member of the Labor Committee, I am always looking for ways to get New Jerseyans back on their feet after being laid off due to this pandemic. The labor force needs help, and I fully understand the predicament people are facing when it comes to paying rent, buying food for family members, and just overall trying to make it to the next month.
Coming out of the pandemic, what are the lessons you’ve learned, and how do you think those lessons should guide public policymakers going forward?
In a time of public emergency, it is more important than ever to listen to constituents. We want to be a trusted source of information during confusing and troubling times. Each and every individual who contacted us with a concern, a request, or a question, was answered as quickly as possible. Communication with constituents is always key. It is a legislator’s job to value every opinion that comes to us. Because we had constant contact with the community throughout the pandemic, constituents were able to give our office incredible ideas on how we could help serve more and more people. Even in a virtual world, we could see every day how our community was coming together in a time of need helping out fellow neighbors. Moving forward, we will only continue to build on those relationships within the community and keep listening to concerns, questions and requests to help New Jersey to the best of our ability here in the 11th Legislative District.
What was the make and model of the vehicle in which you learned how to drive? Also, what was the first (new or used) vehicle you owned?
Buick Bonneville, 1966 Pontiac Lemans
Assemblywoman
Joann Downey
Assemblywoman Joann Downey has represented New Jersey’s 11th Legislative District since 2016. An attorney in private practice, Assemblywoman Downey has served as Assembly Parliamentarian since 2018 and is also a member of the Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee and is the Chair of the Human Services Committee.
What inspired you to run for office and become a legislator?
My parents didn’t go to college. They worked very hard for my brothers, my sister and me to have a better life. My sister and I were the first to go to college in my family. I was practicing law working for the attorney general’s office, where I saw so many people for whom the system was not working. I knew I could do more to help people, so I went to school at night and became a licensed social worker.
Too many people in this community are working just as hard as my parents and family, yet they are not getting ahead. As a lawyer, social worker, and a mom, I was fed up with the fact that we couldn’t get more done for working families. So in 2015, I didn’t hesitate to take on the challenge to get a seat at the table and try to make real change.
My friend and running mate, Eric Houghtaling, believed in me since day one, and together, we knocked on hundreds of doors across our district to tell them why we were running and what we believed.
Name your greatest achievement and greatest disappointment as a legislator. If you could change one thing in Trenton, what would it be?
Greatest achievement: As Chair of the Assembly Human Services Committee, I embrace overseeing the entities tasked with serving our residents with disabilities, mental health challenges, unique health situations or difficult financial situations. It is essential to ensure that our government protects our most vulnerable residents.
In recent years, New Jersey came one step closer to ending the gender wage gap for good after my salary history bill was signed into law. With this new law, we’re one step closer to making sure that if you work hard in New Jersey, you’ve earned a fair paycheck.
Greatest Disappointment: While the Legislature works to get as many bills passed into law to help our fellow New Jerseyans, sometimes the timeline of getting legislation moved through the Legislature and to the Governor’s desk can take a very long time. Bills that, on the surface, seem like common sense can sometimes take years to get signed into law. However, I will never stop advocating and pushing to help the residents of New Jersey live a better life.
Changing something in Trenton: While more and more women get elected to office each year, I will always push for that number to grow. I hope Trenton continues to value the perspective of people from all different types of backgrounds and represents New Jersey’s diverse culture. I want my two little girls and those all over the state to have role models to look up to when they think of our state government.
What are the legislative priorities, issues or areas of concern on which you would like to focus your attention?
As chair of the Assembly Human Services Committee, I work tirelessly to ensure that the voices of the disabled community are heard, and their needs are met. I am also a working mother with two young children, so ensuring the state can remain affordable for not just them but all future generations remains a constant priority for me.
Coming out of the pandemic, what are the lessons you’ve learned, and how do you think those lessons should guide public policymakers going forward?
A major lesson I have learned working through this pandemic is using the technology we have to enhance our way of life. When we could not do things in person, we were forced to go into this virtual world, and through that change, we found innovators who made amazing creative choices to keep this world turning. Now that we can start meeting with people again, we should keep the innovation in place and work to keep our virtual options intact when necessary. Our policymakers should continue to find innovative ways to make people’s lives easier in New Jersey, and using technology is one way to do that.
What was the make and model of the vehicle in which you learned how to drive? Also, what was the first (new or used) vehicle you owned?
I learned how to drive in the year 1983 in a 1978 Chevy station wagon. My first car was a Chevy Chevette.
Senator
Patrick Diegnan, Jr.
Senator Patrick J. Diegnan, Jr., has represented New Jersey’s 18th Legislative District since 2002 when he represented the district as a member of the General Assembly. He joined the Senate in 2016 and currently serves as the Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee and is a member of the Budget and Appropriations Committee and Select Committee on New Jersey Transit.
What inspired you to run for office and become a legislator?
As the son of immigrants, my parents always stressed the importance of public service.
Name your greatest achievement and greatest disappointment as a legislator. If you could change one thing in Trenton, what would it be?
I am proud of all of the bills that, as primary sponsor, have been signed into law. If I could change one thing, it would be a conscious effort to do what is necessary to reduce partisanship.
What are the legislative priorities, issues or areas of concern on which you would like to focus your attention?
As chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, my focus is on making our transit system environmentally state-of-the-art.
Coming out of the pandemic, what are the lessons you’ve learned, and how do you think those lessons should guide public policymakers going forward?
Don’t presume you have all the answers. Listen, collect reliable data. Don’t hesitate to adjust as circumstances change.
What was the make and model of the vehicle in which you learned how to drive? Also, what was the first (new or used) vehicle you owned?
I learned how to drive in my brother’s 1960 Ford. My first car was a 1966 Chevy Nova.
Senator
Vin Gopal
Senator Vin Gopal has represented New Jersey’s 11th Legislative District since 2018, and serves as the Senate Majority Conference Leader, Chairman of the Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Vice-Chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee, and as a member of the Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.
What inspired you to run for office and become a legislator?
I was lucky enough to be born and raised here in Monmouth County and even luckier to be able to start a career and build my life here. I truly believe that Monmouth County is a special place in New Jersey. The diversity of our families, our landscape, and our opportunities makes this a place where so many different people can build a future for themselves.
The future I saw was one where I could give back to my community. It was this goal that encouraged me to start a small business here in Monmouth County so I could be part of the efforts to strengthen our economy and so I could hire and work alongside my neighbors. But I know that for too many families, this dream is drifting further out of reach. I was inspired to run for office so I could fight in Trenton to make sure more families can stay and thrive in our communities; so that all of our children have access to a great education and can fulfill a dream of college, and so that businesses will stay and grow in our communities.
I know Monmouth County families deserve a senator in Trenton that puts their interests first 100% of the time, not just when it’s politically convenient. I have held on to that belief since I first took the oath of office, and I will continue to stand by that for as long as I have the pleasure to serve as Monmouth County’s State Senator.
Name your greatest achievement and greatest disappointment as a legislator. If you could change one thing in Trenton, what would it be?
Greatest Achievement: Many, but some include fighting for small businesses through numerous bills, getting major increases in special education funding, major increases
in mental health funding and standing up to my party when they were wrong, like stopping a shore rental tax.
Greatest Disappointment: Voting for cannabis legislation that didn’t have parental notification. I missed it when I read it and worked quickly to fix it. It originally didn’t have parental notification for the first offense, and once I realized this error, I quickly worked to fix the mistake. I lobbied my own party to pass the corrected bill, and we got the Governor to sign it quickly.
Changing something in Trenton: Legislators can always do more to get their residents active in the legislative process. I would love to see more individuals become politically active and get involved in New Jersey politics, especially the next generation.
What are the legislative priorities, issues or areas of concern on which you would like to focus your attention?
Our families are facing some of the highest property taxes in the country. We need to be smarter about lowering costs. I have been encouraging consolidation and shared services between towns to deliver savings directly to residents. I continuously fight to fully fund our schools and expand tax credits to homeowners and seniors by closing the million-dollar tax cuts handed out to millionaires and billionaires.
Coming out of the pandemic, what are the lessons you’ve learned, and how do you think those lessons should guide public policymakers going forward?
Throughout the pandemic, our office was able to work directly with the community to figure out how to best assist the residents. Whether dealing with individuals one-on-one or working with nonprofits, schools, small businesses and municipalities, we came together to brainstorm how to get through this together. That is how we created the LD11 Recovery Council. We needed their expertise and insight, and they needed to have a seat at the table as we worked toward a statewide re-opening.
What was the make and model of the vehicle in which you learned how to drive? Also, what was the first (new or used) vehicle you owned?
I learned how to drive on the first car I owned – a Jeep Cherokee.
