On Monday, Rosy Bagolie, a Democrat from Livingston, formally began her reelection campaign.
Bagolie’s efforts on labor and education policy, including a bill that would prohibit cell phones in K–12 schools, was praised by Governor Phil Murphy at his State of the State speech, according to a release announcing her race. Before serving as the representative for the 27th parliamentary district, Bagolie, a first-year lawmaker, was a councilwoman from Livingston.
She stated in a release that having powerful voices in Trenton is more crucial than ever at a time when civil rights, equity, and public education are being attacked. I’m dedicated to creating a more powerful and just New Jersey, and I want to keep speaking up for my constituents.
According to financial reports, Bagolie raised $56,820 in the final three months of 2024 and had $82,879 on hand at the start of the new year.
Parent advocate Parul Khemka and Essex County Commissioner Patricia Sebold endorsed the assemblywoman’s announcement.
In the Essex County primary, Bagolie will go up against Assemblywoman Alixon Collazos-Gill (D-Montclair), her assemblymate. To take on the incumbents, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulo engaged Rohit Dave, the head of corporate development at financial services firm Block. Fulop’s anti-establishment gubernatorial campaign is enlisting a group of Assembly candidates across the state.
In 2023, Bagolie, the principal and superintendent of the East Newark school district, won a noncompetitive general election in the district, which leans Democratic, and received the Democratic nomination for the Assembly seat in a special convention. Although her campaign claims she is prepared for it, this year’s primary race may be her first real test in front of LD-27 voters.
According to the release, she raised more than $100,000 during her first term, which is evidence of the tremendous support she has had from her supporters who are keen to assist her reelection campaign. Her reputation as a reliable advocate in Trenton has been cemented by her capacity to unite individuals via cooperation and coalition building.
