New Jersey's 35th legislative district

New Jersey's 35th legislative district is a constituency for the upper New Jersey Senate and lower New Jersey General Assembly. The district, established following the 1973 reapportionment, encompasses urban and suburban communities in northern New Jersey. It is a reliably Democratic stronghold, with its representatives playing significant roles in state politics. The district's population centers include the cities of Paterson and Clifton.

History

The district was formed by the New Jersey Apportionment Commission after the New Jersey Supreme Court decision in Jackman v. Bodine, which mandated legislative redistricting. Historically anchored by the industrial city of Paterson, once known for silk manufacturing, the district's political character has been shaped by its diverse, working-class demographics. For decades, political power was concentrated in Paterson's Democratic machine, with figures like Mayor Frank X. Graves Jr. wielding considerable influence. The district's boundaries have been adjusted in subsequent reapportionments, such as those following the 1990 and 2000 Censuses, but it has consistently remained a Democratic bastion within the New Jersey Legislature.

Election results

Election results in the district consistently show overwhelming victories for Democratic candidates. In the 2021 Senate election, incumbent Nellie Pou won re-election with over 75% of the vote against her Republican opponent. Similarly, Assembly candidates Shavonda E. Sumter and Benjie E. Wimberly typically secure large margins, often exceeding 70% of the combined vote. These results reflect the district's strong Democratic enrollment advantage and the influence of local party organizations like the Passaic County Democratic Committee. Rare competitive primaries, such as those occasionally involving the Paterson Education Association, draw more attention than general elections.

District composition

As defined by the 2021 redistricting plan, the district includes all of Paterson and Haledon, and parts of Clifton, Hawthorne, and North Haledon in Passaic County. It also includes the Bergen County municipalities of Elmwood Park and Garfield. Key landmarks include the Great Falls, William Paterson University, and the Garfield station on the NJ Transit Bergen County Line. The district is one of the most diverse in the state, with significant Latino, African American, and Arab American communities.

List of representatives

The district has been represented by several prominent Democrats. In the New Jersey Senate, notable senators have included John A. Girgenti, who served from 1990 to 2012 and was a deputy majority leader. He was succeeded by Nellie Pou, a former Assemblywoman and the first Latina to represent the district in the Senate. In the New Jersey General Assembly, long-serving members have included Alfred E. Steele and his successor, Benjie E. Wimberly, who also serves as the Paterson Eastside High School athletic director. Shavonda E. Sumter, the current Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore, has held her seat since 2012.

Recent election cycles

In the 2023 legislative elections, the Democratic ticket of Nellie Pou, Shavonda E. Sumter, and Benjie E. Wimberly ran unopposed in the general election after securing the party line in the June primary. The 2021 election cycle saw Pou defeat Republican challenger Rafael R. Torres. Fundraising for these cycles is often directed through organizations like the New Jersey Democratic State Committee and New Jersey Education Association. The district's political dynamics are also influenced by local issues such as development in Paterson, funding for William Paterson University, and services at St. Joseph's University Medical Center.

Category:New Jersey legislative districts