On Tuesday, Nov. 2, voters across New Jersey will head to the polls to cast ballots for their ballots to fill all 80 seats in the state Assembly and 40 seats in the state Senate.
In the heavily Democratic 31st Legislative District, which covers Bayonne and southern parts of Jersey City, a Republican has never been elected to serve in the assembly or senate since the district was formed in 1973.
As of July, 55% of the district’s 154,725 registered voters were registered as Democrats, while 9% were registered as Republicans and 34% as unaffiliated.
Here is a rundown of who is running for a seat in the State Legislature in the 31st District.
State Senate
Democrat: State Sen. Sandra Cunningham (Incumbent)
Bio: Cunningham became more active in politics following the 2004 death of her husband, former Jersey City Mayor Glen Cunningham. The Newark native has served in the New Jersey State Senate since 2007, holding positions on the Budget and Appropriations Committee, Senate Education Committee and Senate Higher Education Committee, as well as Senate Assistant Majority Leader
North-JerseyNews.com Fact: Her professional background includes time as executive director of the Sandra and Glenn D. Cunningham Foundation and executive of the Hudson County Bar Association. Cunningham was charged with driving under the influence and entered a not-guilty plea involved in a collision that saw her vehicle strike three parked cars in an early morning accident in Jersey City in March.
Republican: Neil Schulman
Bio: The Jersey City resident worked as a manager with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) for seven years and as a Republican local chairman.
North-JerseyNews.com Fact: A longtime Republican insider, Schulman has sought office before, running in the 2017 and 1995 primaries for an assembly seat.
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State Assembly
Democrat: Angela V. McKnight (Incumbent)
Bio: A Jersey City resident, McKnight assumed office in 2016 and has served on committees for Aging and Senior Services, Homeland Security and State Preparedness and Women and Children.
North-JerseyNews.com Fact: McKnight is the founder and chief executive officer of AngelaCARES, an advocacy and support organization for senior citizens. In the last year, the Assemblywoman has sponsored legislation allowing civilian review boards for police.
Democrat: William Sampson
Bio: Sampson, a longtime Bayonne resident, is a political newcomer. He works as a crane operator at Global Container Terminals and is a member of International Longshoreman’s Association Local 1588, where he is a political liaison and holds several board committee positions.
North-JerseyNews.com Fact: Sampson has received the backing of the Hudson County Democratic Organization after incumbent Assemblyman Nicholas Chiaravalloti withdrew his reelection bid due to Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis not endorsing Chiaravalloti.
Republican: Rose Javier
Bio: Javier is a former Hudson County Social Services employee and longtime activist for the Filipino American community, holding roles in organizations, including the Philippine American Friendship Committee, Pan-American Concerned Citizens Action League, Garden State Filipino-American Association.
North-JerseyNews.com Fact: She has served as Jersey City’s Commissioner of Cultural Affairs, as well as secretary of the local Republican committee.
Republican: Brandon Villa
Bio: Villa, a Jersey City resident, is looking to make his debut in Hudson County politics.
North-JerseyNews.com Fact: He is the only GOP candidate running in the district this year who did not score an endorsement from the Hudson County Republican Organization.
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