Fourth term will make Coughlin the longest-serving N.J. Assembly Speaker

When he takes office in January, Craig Coughlin will become the longest-serving Assembly Speaker in New Jersey history.

Assembly Democrats today unanimously today to give Coughlin an unprecedented fourth term as Speaker.  Democrats picked up five seats in Tuesday’s midterm election, leaving them with a  51-29 majority for the next two years.

“Over the past six years, we have accomplished big things for the people of New Jersey,” Coughlin said.  “From delivering critical property tax relief to facing food insecurity head-on, I am proud of what we have achieved and thrilled that we get to continue our work to build a better future for our state and the 9.3 million people who live here.”

Majority Leader Louis Greenwald was also re-elected – he’s been in leadership for twelve years – along with Annette Quijano (D-Elizabeth) as conference leader and Benjie Wimberly (D-Paterson) as Speaker Pro-Tempore.

At the end of the current session, Coughlin will tie the six-year record set by Jack Collins, a Republican who was Speaker from 1996 to 2002.

Coughlin’s next big decision will be about 2025; he is considered a possible candidate for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination.

“We focused on the issues people cared about last session, creating record property tax relief programs, lowering prescription drug costs, making child care more affordable, and standing up for safe communities and a woman’s right to choose,” said Speaker Coughlin. “We spent the last two years dealing with issues people talk about at the kitchen table.

Coughlin said the Assembly will “stay at the kitchen table” during the next two-year legislative session.

“I look forward to spending the next two years working with the Assembly leadership team, the members of our caucus, our colleagues in the Legislature, and the Governor to build upon the foundation we have laid over the past several years,” he stated.