Long-time Caucus Member Chosen to Replace Now Senator-Elect Gordon Johnson
Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly (D-Bergen, Passaic) was selected Thursday by the members of the Assembly Democratic Caucus as Speaker Pro Temp.
Wimberly is a lifelong educator and athletic coach in New Jersey. For his dedication as a high school football coach, the New York Giants awarded him the Lou Rettino High School Coach of the Year Award in 2020. Off the field, he has served as the 35th District Assemblyman since 2012 and as Deputy Speaker of the Assembly for the last 5 years.
Putting forward and advocating for meaningful legislation affecting homeowners, renters, and property owners, Wimberly leads the Assembly Housing Committee. He also is a current co-chair of the Joint Committee on Economic Justice and Equal Employment Opportunity, and a sitting member of the Assembly Budget Committee, Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee, and the Joint Committee on the Public Schools.
As speaker pro tempore, Wimberly will preside over the House and exercise the powers and duties in the Speaker’s absence. He will also assume other duties as assigned by the speaker.
“I will be proud to have Benjie serve among our senior leadership team next session,” said Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin. “It’s been my priority to have a diversity of voices and perspectives represented at the leadership table to ensure we put our best foot forward for the people of New Jersey. Coming with a decade of public service as a member of the Assembly, Benjie’s wealth of knowledge makes him well equipped and qualified to be successful as Speaker Pro Tempore. He has my utmost trust and respect.”
“It will be an honor to take on the duties of Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore in the coming session. The members of this Caucus have taken on some of the toughest pieces of legislation the State has seen in decades. Over the last two years, we have worked to create a new industry, stabilize housing during an unprecedented public health crisis, bring to the forefront systemic social justice concerns of our communities and address education concerns which arose from the pandemic,” said Wimberly (D-Bergen, Passaic). “I look forward to continuing our work in the Assembly with Speaker Coughlin and all members of the Caucus.”