Coughlin names public television reporter as his new communications director

A New Jersey Spotlight News reporter has joined the Assembly Democratic staff as communications director.

Rhonda Schaffler, who worked for Thomson Reuters, Bloomberg News, CNN, and Dow Jones, will replace Cecilia Williams, who left Speaker Craig Coughlin’s staff last month to become assistant communications director to the New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education.

“We are proud to welcome Rhonda Schaffler to serve as communications director for the Assembly Democrats after an extensive national search,” Coughlin said. “Rhonda’s long experience with kitchen table issues will help our caucus highlight our leadership keeping New Jersey affordable for working families even as we create jobs and tackle issues ranging from property tax relief to continuing  to rebuild our communities following the pandemic.”

While at New Jersey Spotlight News, Schaffler hosted a weekly NJ PBS show on personal finance and its confluence with government policies.

“I believe in our members’ agenda to deliver for working families across New Jersey and am looking forward to utilizing my long experience in journalism to clearly communicate our track record to residents across our great state,” Schaffler said.