Gaskins will be new Zwicker chief of staff

Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker (D-South Brunswick), who is planning to challenge State Sen. Christopher Bateman (R-Branchburg) in the 16th district this year, has hired a new chief of staff.

Petra Gaskins, a rising star in New Jersey Democratic politics, will assume her new post next week.

Gaskins formerly served on the staff of Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Ewing) as director of outreach and programming and was Gov. Phil Murphy’s liaison to local leaders in Mercer and Hunterdon counties as part of his Intergovernmental Affairs team.  She is a graduate of Rider University.

“I am thrilled to welcome Petra Gaskins to my staff,” Zwicker said. “She brings a tremendous amount of experience and a unique personal perspective into this role. Her deep desire to help others and to seek changes that improve people’s lives will be invaluable.”