Blum will be Collazos-Gill chief of staff

Assemblywoman-elect Alixon Collazos-Gill (D-Montclair) has named Max Blum as her new chief of staff.

Blum is currently chief of staff to Richard J. Codey, who is retiring from the State Senate on the day Collazos-Gill takes office.  The move offers some continuity for constituents who have been dealing with Codey for the last 50 years.

“I’m very excited to have Max aboard as my Chief of Staff,” Collazos-Gill said.   “I have known Max since his early days in his career in New Jersey politics as a hardworking intern on Governor Murphy’s campaign.  He has proven over the last year that he has what it takes to successfully navigate the statehouse and pass legislation that improves the lives of New Jerseyans.”

Blum started out in politics in 2016 when he was an intern on Phil Murphy’s first gubernatorial campaign – a race managed by Collazos-Gill’s husband, Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill.  He served as executive director of the Somerset County Democratic Committee, as campaign manager for the Morris County Democrats, as a field organizer for Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Wyckoff), and as deputy campaign manager for Newark East Ward City Councilman Michael Silva before joining Codey’s staff.

Collazos-Gill also announced that Alexandira Butler Lopez will serve as her legislative aide, and Gaye Overbey-Cole, a former aide to Assemblywoman Sheila Oliver (D-East Orange), will be her community relations liaison.

“Max, Alex and Gay will bring a wide variety of experience, compassion and urgency to my office the moment I am sworn in on January 9th,” Collazos-Gill said . “They are ready to serve the residents of the 27th District.”