Craig Coughlin, who is a sure-thing to remain as Assembly Speaker until at least January 2024, has picked up the endorsement of Assembly Housing Committee Chairman Benjie E. Wimberly (D-Paterson).
“I endorse him,” Wimberly said. “I’m definitely supporting the Speaker.”
The move gives Coughlin the public backing of 51 of the 52 Democrats in the State Assembly.
Only Wimberly’s running mate, Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter (D-Paterson), has not publicly committed to support Coughlin for a third term as Speaker.
Coughlin’s lock on serving as speaker during the Legislature’s 2022-23 session came at the same time Senate President Steve Sweeney clinched another term for himself.
Sweeney has secured the backing of 20 of the 25 Democrats in the State Senate to remain in his post until at least 2024.
Sweeney is already the longest-serving Senate President in New Jersey history. He assumed the post in January 2010.
If Coughlin remains in his post until January 2024, he will tie Republican Jack Collins as the longest-serving Assembly Speaker in state history. Collins served from 1996 to 2002.