Assemblywomen to represent Legislative District 27
(TRENTON) – Legislative District 27 is sending a new pair of legislators to the New Jersey General Assembly this session. Assemblywoman Alixon Collazos-Gill, a public affairs specialist, and Assemblywoman Dr. Rosaura “Rosy” Bagolie, a Livingston Township Councilwoman and Superintendent of the East Newark School District, received the oath of office on Tuesday from Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin.
“I am pleased to welcome Alixon and Rosy to the New Jersey General Assembly,” said Speaker Coughlin (D-Middlesex). “They are both well known for their work in the community, and I appreciate the energy they bring to the office. I look forward to working with them on legislation that matters most to our working and middle-class families, such as making our state more affordable and bolstering support for our public schools.”
Collazos-Gill is a senior partner at BGill Group and is recognized as one of the top Spanish-language media and political consultants in New Jersey, specializing in outreach to New Jersey’s diverse Latino community. She serves as a board member of the New Jersey Hispanic Research and Information Center, BlueWave NJ, and is an alumnae and former board member of Emerge NJ. She also served as the director of Latino outreach for Governor Phil Murphy’s 2017 campaign.
“I am excited to get to work on behalf of my constituents and to give a voice to our Latino residents,” said Assemblywoman Collazos-Gill (D-Essex, Passaic). “I am thrilled for the opportunity to bring not only my community-organizing skills but also my entrepreneur and public sector experience to Trenton to further build on the work of the Assembly Democrats. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve and give attention to critical issues facing New Jersey.”
Collazos-Gill obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Latin American Literature from Rutgers University and her Master’s degree in International and Global Studies from New York University. She currently resides in Montclair with her husband, Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill, and their two children.
Assemblywoman Bagolie, a true advocate for safeguarding women’s rights, helping working families thrive, and improving the quality of education for every student, brings a unique perspective to the legislative table – being a self-made, Latina-Jewish immigrant whose family emigrated from the Dominican Republic to America in search for a better life.
A lifelong teacher and school administrator who worked diligently to better herself through education, Bagolie has risen to the top of her profession to serve as Superintendent of the East Newark School District, where she is one of the few women and fewer Latinas to serve in that capacity.
“I hope to set an example so that all children, especially children of immigrants, can see that hard work and determination pays off,” said Assemblywoman Bagolie (D-Essex, Passaic). “As a wife and working mom, I recognize the daily juggle of balancing family and career. I will advocate for policies that support working parents, affordable childcare, and access to quality education for all our children,” she said.
Bagolie earned her Bachelor of Arts in Social and Behavioral Science, a Master’s in Elementary Education, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Seton Hall University, as well as a Master’s degree in Special Education from Rutgers University.
As Bagolie prepares to navigate the halls of Trenton, she recognizes the power of unity, the strength in diversity, and the necessity of inclusivity.
“As a Democrat, I firmly believe in the core values of our Party, including fairness, equal opportunity, collective bargaining, public education, and an individual’s right to choose – whether that be reproduction, who to love, or what to read,” she said. “We, all, want what is best for New Jersey, and we must seize this moment, move forward together, and deliver,” she added.
Bagolie will replace 21-year veteran Assemblyman John McKeon who was elected to the Senate.
“I am so excited to be working with Alixon and our senator, John McKeon. I am so grateful for the mentorship and support John has provided me these past months, and I thank him for his guidance and friendship during the campaign,” she said.
Bagolie served as the first Latina-Jewish Councilwoman of the Township of Livingston, where she currently lives with her husband Ricky and three sons, Frank, a high school junior, and freshman twins Jacob and Aaron.
As they embark on their legislative journey, Collazos-Gill and Bagolie’s commitment to public service and diversity promises to shape meaningful legislation for New Jersey’s 27th Legislative District.
