Coughlin gains backing of Union County, bringing hard count to 48 votes

Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin has picked up the endorsement of the four-member Union County State Assembly delegation as he coasts toward remaining in his post until at least January 2024.

The support of Assembly Majority Conference Leader Annette Quijano (D-Elizabeth), Assemblymen Jamel Holley (D-Roselle) and James Kennedy (D-Rahway) and Assemblywoman Linda Carter (D-Plainfield) brings Coughlin’s hard count of support to 48 votes – and his likely soft count to 52.

“Under Craig Coughlin’s leadership, New Jersey’s State Assembly has undertaken a bold and progressive agenda that works for all of New Jersey. We have passed a minimum wage increase, improved paid family leave, restored funding to Planned Parenthood, and most recently passed the Millionaire’s Tax,” the four legislators said.  “We are thrilled to continue to enthusiastically support Speaker Coughlin and look forward to continue fighting alongside him for New Jersey’s working families and taxpayers.

Coughlin’s commitment of more than enough votes to secure the speakership comes more than a year before the next leadership election, and less than three years after he ousted incumbent Vincent Prieto to occupy one of the most powerful positions in state government.