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| Vincent Prieto | |
|---|---|
| Name | Vincent Prieto |
| Birth date | 28 August 1960 |
| Birth place | Havana, Cuba |
| Occupation | Politician, Lobbyist |
| Office | Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly |
| Term start | January 12, 2014 |
| Term end | January 9, 2018 |
| Predecessor | Sheila Oliver |
| Successor | Craig Coughlin |
| Party | Democratic Party |
Vincent Prieto is an American politician and lobbyist who served as Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly and represented the 32nd Legislative District in the New Jersey Legislature. A Cuban-born public figure, Prieto has been active in state and local affairs, interfacing with institutions such as the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the Hoboken municipal government. His career spans legislative leadership, executive branch roles, and private-sector work with associations and authorities in the New York metropolitan area.
Prieto was born in Havana and emigrated to the United States, settling in Weehawken, New Jersey and later residing in Secaucus, New Jersey. He attended local public schools in Hudson County, New Jersey and pursued higher education at New Jersey City University where he studied business administration. During his formative years he lived near transit hubs serving the Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) system and developed connections to communities across Hudson County and the New York City metropolitan region.
Before entering elective office, Prieto worked in municipal administration in Secaucus, New Jersey and served as a local official interacting with agencies such as the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and regional planning bodies. He also held positions with labor and trade organizations affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and liaised with business associations in Hudson County. Prieto transitioned into roles that required coordination with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, New Jersey Transit, and trade organizations that influence development projects in the New Jersey Meadowlands and along the Hudson waterfront.
Prieto was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly representing the 32nd Legislative District, which includes parts of Bayonne, New Jersey, Jersey City, New Jersey, and Hoboken, New Jersey. He served on key legislative committees and worked alongside colleagues including Brian P. Stack, Ras Baraka, and Albio Sires on regional initiatives. In January 2014 he was chosen as Speaker of the Assembly, succeeding Sheila Oliver, and led the chamber through sessions that involved negotiations with governors such as Chris Christie and later Phil Murphy-era legislative transitions. As Speaker he coordinated with the New Jersey Senate leadership, including figures like Stephen Sweeney and Tom Kean Jr., on budgetary and policy matters affecting the state.
During his tenure as a legislative leader, Prieto presided over deliberations on transportation funding measures involving New Jersey Transit, infrastructure projects in partnership with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and state budget negotiations with the Office of the Governor of New Jersey. He advocated for initiatives impacting urban districts represented by colleagues such as Nelson Albano and Louis Manzo, and prioritized constituent services in municipalities like West New York, New Jersey and Union City, New Jersey. Under his leadership the Assembly addressed bills related to public safety often debated with figures from the New Jersey State Police and municipal police departments, as well as legislation touching on labor standards involving groups such as the AFL–CIO and the Service Employees International Union. Prieto also engaged with federal representatives from the region, interfacing with members of the United States House of Representatives and coordinating with the United States Department of Transportation on grant and transit priorities.
Prieto first won election to the Assembly in contests involving opponents from both the Republican Party and third-party or independent candidates common in Hudson County politics. He ran in the 32nd District alongside running mates and incumbents in multi-member district contests, competing in general elections and primary seasons that included prominent regional campaigns such as those of Peter Cammarano and Lance Nixon. As Speaker he guided Democratic electoral strategy in statehouse races and maintained alliances with county organizations such as the Hudson County Democratic Organization and municipal political committees in communities including Secaucus and Kearny, New Jersey.
Prieto has been active in community organizations and local civic groups across Hudson County, working with cultural organizations representing Cuban-American interests as well as broader immigrant and business communities in Union City and Jersey City. He is known for constituent outreach in neighborhoods along the Hudson waterfront and for participating in events coordinated with entities like the Hoboken Historical Museum and regional chambers of commerce. After leaving the Assembly, Prieto accepted roles that involved collaboration with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and private-sector associations, continuing engagement with transit, infrastructure, and development stakeholders in the New York metropolitan area.
Category:New Jersey politicians Category:Members of the New Jersey General Assembly