Coughlin picks Mount Laurel Democrat to replace Chiaravalloti

By David Wildstein, January 14, 2022 12:36 pm
Original Article: Here

Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin has named Carol Murphy, a three-term assemblywoman from Burlington County, as the new Majority Whip.

She will replace Nicholas Chiaravalloti (D-Bayonne), who did not seek re-election in 2021.

Louis Greenwald (D-Voorhees) was re-elected Majority Leader when Assembly Democrats held elections on November 4.  Benjie Wimberly (D-Paterson) was elected Speaker Pro-Tempore on the same day, replacing now-State Sen. Gordon Johnson (D-Englewood).

Coughlin, who began his third term as speaker on Tuesday, also reappointed Annette Quijano (D-Elizabeth) as the Majority Conference Leader.  Eliana Pintor-Marin (D-Newark) will begin her third term a chair of the Assembly Budget Committee.  The New Jersey Globe reported earlier today that Lisa Swain (D-Fair Lawn) will chair the Appropriations Committee.

Murphy’s selection means that women will occupy a majority of posts on the Assembly Democratic leadership team.

“Our caucus is lucky to have incredibly talented people with knowledge and experience in all walks of life” said 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.”

Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D-Trenton) will hold the newly-created post of Constituent Outreach chair.

Additional Coughlin picks include eight deputy speakers, seven deputy majority leaders, and seven other mini-leadership posts.

“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,” Coughlin stated. “We are once again ready to get to work.”