Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin has named Carol Murphy (D-Mount Laurel) to chair the Health Committee, and Verlina Reynolds-Jackson) as chair of the Education Committee to fill vacancies created earlier this month with the resignations of Herb Conaway, Jr. (D-Moorestown) and Pamela Lampitt (D-Cherry Hill).
Annette Quijano (D-Elizabeth) will become the new Speaker Pro-Tempore, replacing State Sen.-elect Benjie Wimberly (D-Paterson), and Linda Carter (D-Plainfield) will succeed Quijano as Majority Conference Leader.
Conaway had chaired the Health Committee since Loretta Weinberg’s election to the State Senate in 2005; he left the Assembly following his election to Congress. Lampitt, the chair of the Education Committee since 2018, was elected Camden County Clerk.
Coughlin also announced that Shama Haider (D-Tenafly) and Tennille McCoy (D-Hamilton) will serve as deputy conference leaders, both newly-created leadership posts.
Murphy retains her post as Majority Whip; Coughlin said that she and Reynolds-Jackson will chair committees on an interim basis through the end of the current legislative session in January 2026.
“Each of the leaders being named today brings expertise, passion and strategic vision to their new roles,” said Coughlin. “I am grateful for the work they have done, and look forward to their further contributions in the Assembly. Together, we will work to advance legislation on issues including affordability, economic security, public safety, and improvements to health and education.”
As Speaker Pro-Tempore, Quijano is now 7th in the gubernatorial line of succession. Wimberly was elected to fill now-Rep. Nellie Pou’s seat in the State Senate.