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WIMBERLY & SUMTER TAKE OATH OF OFFICE AS REPRESENTATIVES OF BERGEN & PASSAIC COUNTIES IN ASSEMBLY

(TRENTON) — Democrats Benjie E. Wimberly and Shavonda E. Sumter on Tuesday took their oath of office to represent the 35th Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly.

Wimberly and Sumter were sworn-in during an afternoon ceremony in the General Assembly Chambers in the State House in Trenton. They are among six first-term Democrats to take their oaths at the start of the 215th Legislature.

“I’m humbled and honored by the people who placed their trust in me and made today possible,” said Wimberly. “I’m eager to start working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for the betterment of our neighbors in the 35th District and throughout the state.”

“Today is a great day. My road to the Assembly began in college and now I’m the people’s representative for the 35th District,” said Sumter. “The time to roll up our sleeves is here. I look forward to impassioned debate and implementing policies that will make life in New Jersey better for our residents.”

Wimberly is currently the Joint Recreational Coordinator for the Paterson Public Schools and the City of Paterson. Previously, he served as a member of the Paterson City Council, and as director of the Paterson Division of Recreation. He also served as a special education teacher at Eastside High School, and coach and mentor for the high school’s varsity football and baseball teams.

Sumter currently serves as Director of Behavioral Health Services at Mountainside Hospital in Montclair. She also serves as a Vice President of the Paterson Branch of the NAACP, and as treasurer/secretary of the Paterson Municipal Utility Authority. During her college career, Sumter worked for Assemblyman Frank Catania, Sr. who at that time served as Deputy Speaker of the Assembly.

The 35th District consists of the Bergen County municipalities of Elmwood Park and Garfield; and the Passaic County municipalities of Haledon, North Haledon, Paterson and Prospect Park.