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Atkins Sworn in as Legislative District 20’s Newest Assembly Member

Former Roselle Mayor Reginald Atkins was sworn into the General Assembly on Tuesday by Speaker Pro Tempore Benjie Wimberly, becoming the 20th Legislative District’s newest representative. Atkins will represent residents of Elizabeth, Hillside, Roselle and Union Township alongside Assemblywoman Annette Quijano in the 2022-2023 legislative session.

Speaker Pro Tempore Wimberly stood in for Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin, who participated remotely while quarantining due to COVID-19.

“Reverend Atkins has always kept the best interests of his fellow residents in mind when serving as a leader in his community,” said Speaker Coughlin (D-Middlesex). “I firmly believe he will carry this community-minded approach into his new role in the Assembly. I look forward to working with him on behalf of the people of our state and to having yet another invaluable partner in the fight for food security.”

Prior to his election as an Assemblyman, Atkins served in local government for over a decade. He was a member of the Roselle Board of Education for eight years, served as Councilman at-large for several years, and became mayor of the borough in 2020.

As a local government official, he helped enact policies to reduce crime, improve quality of life, increase fiscal accountability, grow the region’s infrastructure and advance the local economy. In addition to his civil service, Atkins has supported his community by volunteering and helping to organize events that provided free school supplies to students, groceries to seniors, and access to COVID-19 testing for residents.

“In every one of my endeavors – as a pastor, as a businessman, and as a government representative – I have always worked to meet the needs of the people,” said Assemblyman Atkins (D-Union). “I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to improve my hometown and better the lives of my fellow community members. I look forward to expanding the scope of my public service by working on behalf of families throughout Union County and New Jersey as a whole in the coming years.”

At 28-years-old, Atkins founded the Zion Family Worship Center Church and served as its senior pastor. Around that same time, he also launched two successful businesses – a computer school that graduated over 400 students per year and an Information Technology Consulting Group that employed over 20 workers – alongside his wife Dr. Cynthia Atkins.

He and his wife are the proud parents of three children.