Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto has appointed Assemblyman Daniel Benson (D-Mercer/Middlesex) to serve in the leadership role of Deputy Speaker Pro Tempore for the General Assembly.
“Dan has demonstrated himself to be a very thoughtful, dedicated and insightful member of our caucus since he joined the Assembly,” said Prieto (D-Bergen/Hudson). “I know these characteristics will suit him well as he takes on this leadership position.”
Benson will serve as Deputy to Speaker Pro Tempore Jerry Green. The duties of Speaker Pro Tempore, which means “temporary speaker,” are primarily to fill the role of the presiding officer of the Assembly in the absence of the Speaker, often times presiding over voting sessions when the Speaker is temporarily unavailable.
“I am extremely pleased and honored to be appointed to this position,” said Benson. “My time in the Assembly thus far has been one of the most rewarding professional experiences I’ve had and I’m looking forward to continuing to represent the interests of our residents in this expanded role.”
Benson, who has served in the Assembly since January 2011, represents the 14th legislative district, which includes the towns of Cranbury, East Windsor, Hamilton, Hightstown, Jamesburg, Monroe, Plainsboro, Robbinsville and Spotswood. He is currently Vice-Chair of the Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee and also serves on the Commerce and Economic Development, and Environment and Solid Waste committees.
Benson holds Bachelor of Science degrees in both Physics and Government from Georgetown University and a Masters Degree in Public Policy from Rutgers University’s Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy.
A Hamilton resident, Benson became the youngest elected councilman in Hamilton’s history at age 25. He also served as a Mercer County Freeholder and has more than 10 years of experience in public policy and regulatory affairs for both the public and private sector and currently works as a consultant in the energy and telecommunications policy field.