The Assembly Majority Office has named a reporter with long experience covering kitchen table and fiscal issues to serve as its new communications director.
Rhonda Schaffler is joining the Democratic Caucus after a distinguished career in print and television journalism, as well as public service.
In her new role, she will lead the caucus’ efforts to upgrade its communications efforts to meet the changing 21st century media landscape, from the Statehouse press corps to local media outlets and growing digital channels that allow lawmakers to speak directly to their constituents.
“We are proud to welcome Rhonda Schaffler to serve as communications director for the Assembly Democrats after an extensive national search,” said Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin. “Rhonda’s long experience with kitchen table issues will help our caucus highlight our leadership keeping New Jersey affordable for working families even as we create jobs and tackle issues ranging from property tax relief to continuing to rebuild our communities following the pandemic.”
Schaffler most recently served as a correspondent and host of a weekly program on NJ PBS focusing on the intersection of personal finances and state policy. There she explained to viewers how issues like the state budget impacted taxes, education and other issues critical to working families.
“I am excited to begin working with the Assembly Democratic caucus at this critical time in our state’s history,” Schaffler said. “I believe in our members’ agenda to deliver for working families across New Jersey and am looking forward to utilizing my long experience in journalism to clearly communicate our track record to residents across our great state.”
Prior to NJ Spotlight News, Schaffler served as a multimedia reporter for Thomson Reuters, an anchor for Bloomberg News, an anchor and correspondent for CNN and a journalist for Dow Jones. She also served a stint as a media consultant for the United Nations, raising awareness of microcredit initiatives designed to alleviate poverty and stimulate economic growth in developing countries.
In her role, Schaffler will help ensure a unified message around key legislative priorities even as she works with individual lawmakers to highlight their work on important initiatives — both in the Statehouse and around the state.