Coughlin names Dan Harris to lead Assembly Majority Office

Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin has named longtime aide and top advisor Daniel Harris as the new executive director of the Assembly Majority Office, placing a trusted member of his inner circle in charge of the day-to-day operations of the 57-member Democratic caucus.

Harris, currently the office’s deputy executive director and Coughlin’s chief of staff, will take over next month.  He succeeds Seth Hahn, who is leaving state government to pursue other professional interests after six years as one of Coughlin’s top staffers.

Coughlin also announced that Stephan Lally, his 27-year-old deputy chief of staff, will be promoted to deputy executive director, filling the position Harris is vacating.

“I’m thrilled to announce these new roles for Dan and Stephan, who I’ve worked closely with for many years,” Coughlin said.  “Under Dan’s leadership, we will continue our work on a legislative agenda that puts New Jerseyans first, with a focus on kitchen table issues, including making New Jersey more affordable.”

Harris, 39, has worked for Coughlin throughout the speaker’s 17-year legislative career, serving in both the Assembly Majority Office and the Woodbridge-based legislative district office Coughlin shares with State Sen. Joseph Vitale (D-Woodbridge) and Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez (D-Perth Amboy).

As executive director, Harris will oversee policy development, legislative strategy and caucus operations for an Assembly Democratic majority that has grown from 46 to 57 seats over the last two election cycles.  He will also become one of Coughlin’s principal negotiators with Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s administration and Senate leaders.

“I’m honored to be selected by Speaker Coughlin to lead the day-to-day operations of the Assembly Democratic Caucus,” Harris said.  “I’m blessed to be surrounded by an incredible team of committed professionals and to have learned under my predecessors Seth Hahn and Skip Cimino.”

Harris said Assembly Democrats would remain focused on Coughlin’s affordability agenda, while confronting longer-term challenges involving school funding, health care costs, competition for jobs and investment, and the effect of artificial intelligence on the state’s economy.

“While our caucus has been electorally successful, we must not lose sight that our work remains,” he said.

A graduate of Saint Joseph’s University, Harris is also an at-large member of the Woodbridge Township Council.  He was appointed in 2025 after Democratic incumbent Gregg Ficarra resigned to relocate to Ocean County.  “

Harris defeated Republican Kristi Hanson by a margin of nearly 2-1, 65%-35%, and a plurality of 9,629 votes.   He’s up for re-election in 2027, along with Mayor John McCormac and Coughlin, in New Jersey’s 7th-largest municipality.  Republicans have not won a council race there since 1991.

He previously served for more than 12 years on the Woodbridge Board of Education and is a “roadie” for the musical career of his wife, Taylor.

Lally, a Ramapo College graduate, joined Coughlin’s staff in 2020 and has held several positions, including director of appointments.  He currently serves on the Woodbridge school board and the Ramapo College board of trustees.

He won Harris’ unexpired term on the school board in 2025, defeating Thomas Maras in a 3-1 landslide, 76%-23%; his margin was 11,654 votes. Lally had been appointed after Harris left to become a councilman.

Coughlin said Lally would concentrate on strengthening relationships throughout the Democratic caucus and supporting lawmakers’ district offices.

“I am deeply grateful to Speaker Coughlin for his confidence in me and for the opportunity to serve in this new capacity,” Lally said.  “I look forward to strengthening our partnership with the caucus, supporting our district offices and helping advance an agenda that responds directly to the needs of New Jersey’s families.”

Hahn’s departure was announced Friday.  A former labor political operative, he became executive director after Anthony “Skip” Cimino retired following the 2021 election.

During Hahn’s tenure, Democrats gained eleven Assembly seats, securing their largest majority since the 1973 Watergate landslide.  Hahn will continue advising Coughlin on legislative and political matters from outside state government.