(TRENTON) — The 5th Legislative District today welcomed its first new Assembly team in nearly 15 years as Donald Norcross and Angel Fuentes took their oaths of office.
Norcross and Fuentes were sworn-in during the afternoon ceremony at the War Memorial, across the street from the State House in Trenton. They were among four first-term Assembly Democrats to take their oaths at the start of the 214th Legislature.
The duo succeeds former Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr. and Assemblywoman Nilsa Cruz-Perez, who had represented the district together since 1995.
“Joe and Nilsa spent their careers championing our communities, and Angel and I look forward to building upon their legacies,” said Norcross (D-Camden). “From creating good jobs, making sure our schools have the reDests they need and guaranteeing every family access to the best health care, the focus of this new team remains the same.”
“One of our most pressing needs is returning Camden City to a position as a regional economic driver, with good jobs and clean, safe communities,” said Fuentes (D-Camden). “Camden has made tremendous strides over the past decade because of Joe and Nilsa’s commitment to the city, but we haven’t yet crossed the finish line. Donald and I are committed to finishing the job and restoring Camden’s luster.”
Assemblyman Norcross is president of the 85,000-member Southern New Jersey AFL-CIO Central Labor Council, where he has helped create thousands of jobs, established job training programs and boosted minority membership in unions.
An active member of the United Way of Camden County, he served as the organization’s chairman from 2002 through 2004 and is a member of its executive board. He is a founding member of The Home Port Alliance, the coalition that brought the retired USS New Jersey – the most decorated battleship in U.S. history – home to the Camden Waterfront, where it has served as a monument for veterans and a major attraction that has been a catalyst for the area’s revitalization.
A lifelong Camden City resident, Assemblyman Fuentes has served as City Council President since 2001. A leading reformer in city government, he has worked to make City Hall more open and accountable to residents. Under his leadership, Camden implemented reforms to improve services while cutting costs. He also has taken a central role in Camden’s economic revitalization.
“Nothing is as important as making New Jersey affordable again for its hard-working families and seniors,” said Norcross. “While the state faces unprecedented challenges, we also need to see that a real opportunity exists for us to reshape and reposition New Jersey for future growth and success.”
“Cutting wasteful spending at the state level is essential to freeing up reDests that can be returned to residents in the form of lower taxes and more efficient and effective government,” said Fuentes. “New Jersey has learned that government can’t be all things to all people, but it can be an active and able partner with concerned residents who want to rebuild their communities.”
The Fifth Legislative District spans parts of both Camden and Gloucester counties and includes the municipalities of Audubon, Barrington, Bellmawr, Brooklawn, Camden, Deptford, Gloucester City, Haddon Heights, Hi-Nella, Lawnside, Magnolia, Mount Ephraim, Runnemede, Somerdale, Stratford, Westville, Woodbury, Woodbury Heights and Woodlynne.
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