Reginald Atkins retiring from State Assembly after two terms

Assemblyman Reginald Atkins (D-Roselle) will not seek re-election to a third term in the state legislature this year after Union County Democrats decided to reshuffle their ticket – making Atkins perhaps the first victim of New Jersey’s new county-line-free political reality.

“After consulting with my wife and family, I have made the decision to re-dedicate my service to my community, neighborhood by neighborhood, rather than from Trenton at this time,” said Atkins. “I look forward to finishing my term with the same enthusiasm that has led voters to put their trust in me time and time again, and this is by no means the end of my public service career.”

Atkins, a former interim Roselle mayor and the borough’s Democratic municipal chair, was first elected to the Assembly in 2021, after then-Assemblyman Jamel Holley (D-Roselle) gave up his 20th district seat to make an unsuccessful bid for State Senate. With the support of the Union County Democratic organization, Atkins easily won a primary against Holley-backed foes, and he’s never had any trouble winning in the solidly Democratic 20th legislative district.

But since New Jersey’s now-infamous “county line” has now been abolished in favor of more neutral office-block ballots, some Union Democrats are no longer confident that Atkins is their best bet in a primary. The Roselle Democratic organization is deeply divided among multiple political factions, and Atkins doesn’t command total support in the borough of 23,000; moreover, Atkins only raised $2,525 in the most recent fundraising quarter, though he does have nearly $40,000 in the bank.

With the 57-year-old Atkins retiring, a possible successor is Union County Commissioner Sergio Granados (D-Elizabeth), a 37-year-old rising star in Union County politics. If he were to enter the race, Granados would likely receive the support of the three most powerful Democrats in the district: 20th district State Sen. Joe Cryan (D-Union), Elizabeth Mayor Chris Bollwage, and Senate President Nicholas Scutari (D-Clark), the Union County Democratic chairman who represents a neighboring district.

Atkins’ district-mate, Assemblywoman Annette Quijano (D-Elizabeth), will likely receive party support for another term. Quijano was recently chosen as Assembly Speaker Pro-Tempore, making her what is officially the third-highest ranking member of the chamber.

Another Elizabeth-based candidate, Eduardo Rodriguez, who had served as director of planning and community development in Bollwage’s administration, has also filed paperwork to run for Assembly.

It’s possible that gubernatorial hopefuls who don’t receive party support in Union County will seek to run their own slate of candidates as well; Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop has been doing just that in districts across the state, though he has not yet announced any running mates in the 20th district.

And Roselle remains a wildcard. Losing Atkins in favor of Granados or another Elizabeth candidate would shut Roselle out of representation entirely; the different factions of Roselle Democrats could run one or multiple candidates, possibly including a comeback bid by Holley, though he has lately been more focused on his alliance with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Donald Trump’s nominee for Health and Human Services Secretary.

But since Roselle only accounts for around 14% of the district’s registered Democrats, the borough’s voters will have a difficult time electing anyone on their own; their representation in the Assembly was always predicated on Democrats in Union Township and Elizabeth being satisfied with only one seat each, an agreement that seems to no longer be in place. (The one other town in the district, Kenilworth, leans Republican and is a minimal factor.)

Before becoming an assemblyman, Atkins served on the Roselle Board of Education and the Borough Council for many years and was the borough’s mayor in 2020 and 2021. Since 2024, he has been the chairman of the Assembly’s Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee.

Atkins is one of two clergymen in the New Jersey Legislature; the other is Assemblyman Rabbi Avi Schnoll (D-Lakewood).

Instead of public office, he’ll concentrate on his work as the senior pastor of the Zion Family Worship Center Church in Roselle and at the New Destiny Community Development Corporation, a non-profit group he founded nearly eighteen years ago.

“As a member of the Clergy, through my work with New Destiny, and my continued political involvement as the Chairman of the Roselle Democratic Committee, I know that I can make the biggest impact right now by focusing directly on my community,” Atkins said. “I have worked every single day as your Assemblymember to make a positive impact on every person I represent. I look forward to continuing to serve my neighbors and remain committed to meeting the needs of the people.”

Scutari and Cryan saluted Atkins’ service.

“Reverand Atkins may not be in the General Assembly next year, but he’s still a leader in our county, a key part of our team, and my dear friend,” said Scutari.

Cryan said, “Reverend Atkins has been a tremendous partner in our team’s efforts to improve the lives of district residents.  While I was disappointed to hear he will not be running again, I know that he will continue to be an important voice in the community and someone we can rely upon to continue forward with his good works.”

Atkins becomes the second member of the State Assembly not to seek re-election: John Allen (D-Hoboken) said this month that he won’t run for a second term, clearing the way for Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla to take the seat.