Heading into the new legislative session, Assemblywoman Annette Quijano has been selected by Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin to join Democratic leadership in the Assembly by serving as Conference Leader.
Quijano is an experienced attorney who has taken on many important roles in the private and public sectors. As a member of the Assembly since 2008, she has served as Deputy Majority Leader and formerly chaired the Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness and Judiciary committees.
When she’s not working on impactful legislation, she is serving her community directly through efforts such as her annual Three Kings Day holiday gift drive for young patients at Trinitas Hospital, or training residents on how to prepare for emergencies though her “R U Ready” trainings.
Her background in law and management will be useful in her role as Conference Leader, where she will lead the Democratic caucus in discussing upcoming legislation before each voting session.
“We are pleased to have Assemblywoman Quijano join our team as Conference Leader,” said Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-Middlesex). “Having worked with Annette over the past ten years, I am confident in the skill and diplomacy she will bring to this position.”
The daughter of Puerto Rican parents, Quijano is the first woman and minority to represent her district. During her time as an Assembly member, she has sponsored hundreds of bills and had significant involvement in a number of social justice measures.
“I am grateful to have been chosen as the Democratic Conference Leader,” said Quijano (D-Union). “I take my responsibility in this role very seriously and will do everything I can to ensure fair and civil discussion among our members.”