Dyese Davis, a 31-year-old rising star in state Democratic politics, was elected Monmouth County Democratic chair tonight, replacing David G. Brown II, who did not seek re-election after nearly eight years as leader of the county party organization.
Matawan Democratic Municipal Chair Deana Gunn, a political organizer for the New Jersey State Laborers PAC, was elected vice chair.
Davis serves as chief of staff to State Sen. Vin Gopal (D-Long Branch) and Assemblywomen Margie Donlon (D-Ocean) and Luanne Peterpaul (D-Long Branch, and is vice chair of the Neptune Planning Board. Gov. Phil Murphy named her to the Brookdale Community College Board of Trustees.
“I am committed to progressing the Monmouth County Democrats into a new chapter – and to move onwards into a bright future of success and prosperity in our movement,” she said. “Myself and vice chairwoman Deana Gunn will lead with a core objective to activate the County’s Democratic base and foster a foundation for expansion, revitalization, and change.”
Davis is the first Black woman to serve as a county chair since Verlina Reynolds Jackson (D-Trenton) resigned as Mercer Democratic chair after winning a special election convention for State Assembly in 2018.
Brown was elected county chairman in early 2017 when Gopal gave up the post to focus on his bid to unseat State Sen. Jennifer Beck (R-Red Bank) in the 11th legislative district.