Heather Simmons | |
---|---|
Member of the New Jersey General Assembly from the 3rd district | |
Assumed office January 9, 2024 Serving with David Bailey | |
Preceded by | Beth Sawyer Bethanne McCarthy Patrick |
Personal details | |
Born | 1968 or 1969 (age 55–56)[1] |
Political party | Democratic |
Education | Saint Joseph's University |
Heather Simmons (born 1968 or 1969[1]) is an American public relations professional and Democratic Party politician serving as a member of the New Jersey General Assembly for the 3rd legislative district, since taking office on January 9, 2024.
A resident of Glassboro, New Jersey, Simmons serves is a public relations professional who serves as an assistant vice president at Rowan University.[1] She graduated in 1991 from Saint Joseph's University.[2]
Together with running mate Robert Zimmerman, she narrowly lost election in 2010 to the Gloucester County Board of Chosen Freeholders, despite the Democratic ticket outspending the Republicans by a 5–1 margin,[3] but was chosen unanimously by the Gloucester County Democratic Committee and appointed to fill the one-year balance of the seat that had been held by Stephen Sweeney until he stepped down from office.[4] She won full three-year teams of office as a freeholder (since renamed as commissioner) in 2011, 2014, 2017 and 2020.[1]
In the 2023 New Jersey General Assembly election, Simmons and her Democratic running mate Dave Bailey, defeated Republican incumbent Bethanne McCarthy Patrick and her running mate Thomas J. Tedesco.[5][6]
Each of the 40 districts in the New Jersey Legislature has one representative in the New Jersey Senate and two members in the New Jersey General Assembly.[7] Representatives from the 3rd District for the 2024—2025 Legislative Session are:[8]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Heather Simmons | 30,861 | 25.6 | |
Democratic | Dave Bailey Jr. | 30,737 | 25.5 | |
Republican | Bethanne McCarthy Patrick (incumbent) | 29,522 | 24.5 | |
Republican | Tom Tedesco | 29,480 | 24.4 | |
Total votes | 120,600 | 100.0 | ||
Democratic gain from Republican |