New Jersey's 35th legislative district explained

District:35
Senate:Nellie Pou (D)
Assembly:Shavonda E. Sumter (D)
Benjie E. Wimberly (D)
Independent:38.2
Democratic:48.4
Republican:11.6
Percent White:27.1
Percent Black:19.4
Percent Native American:1.2
Percent Asian:5.4
Percent Pacific Islander:0.0
Percent Other Race:33.3
Percent Two Or More Races:13.5
Percent Hispanic:53.3
Population:238,160
Year:2020 Census
Voting-Age:179,831
Registered:132,960

New Jersey's 35th legislative district is one of 40 districts that make up the map for the New Jersey Legislature. It encompasses the Bergen County municipalities of Elmwood Park and Garfield and the Passaic County municipalities of Haledon, North Haledon, Paterson, and Prospect Park.[1]

Demographic information

As of the 2020 United States census, the district had a population of 238,160, of whom 179,831 (75.5%) were of voting age. The racial makeup of the district was 64,563 (27.1%) White, 46,103 (19.4%) African American, 2,962 (1.2%) Native American, 12,901 (5.4%) Asian, 96 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 79,289 (33.3%) from some other race, and 32,246 (13.5%) from two or more races.[2] [3] Hispanic or Latino of any race were 126,899 (53.3%) of the population.[4]

The district had 132,960 registered voters, of whom 62,260 (46.8%) were registered as Democrats, 51,875 (39.0%) were registered as unaffiliated, 16,560 (12.5%) were registered as Republicans, and 2,265 (1.7%) were registered to other parties.[5]

Political representation

The legislative district is located entirely within New Jersey's 9th congressional district congressional district.

Apportionment history

The 35th district has been based around Paterson since its creation in 1973. The 1973 through 1981 version of the district included Paterson, Prospect Park, Hawthorne, and North Haledon. A slight shift in the district occurred in the 1981 redistricting when North Haledon was removed, and Haledon and Elmwood Park were added. West Paterson was added and North Haledon was re-added to the district in the 1991 redistricting. In the 2001 redistricting, West Paterson swapped places with Totowa and Bergen County borough Glen Rock was added.

Election history

Session Senate General Assembly
1974–1975 Frank Davenport (R)Vincent O. Pellecchia (D)William H. Hicks (D)
1976–1977 Vincent O. Pellecchia (D)Ronald Fava (R)
1978–1979 Frank X. Graves Jr. (D)Vincent O. Pellecchia (D)John Girgenti (D)
1980–1981 Vincent O. Pellecchia (D)John Girgenti (D)
1982–1983 Frank X. Graves Jr. (D)Vincent O. Pellecchia (D)John Girgenti (D)
1984–1985 Frank X. Graves Jr. (D)Vincent O. Pellecchia (D)John Girgenti (D)
1986–1987 Vincent O. Pellecchia (D)John Girgenti (D)
1988–1989 Frank X. Graves Jr. (D)[6] Bill Pascrell (D)John Girgenti (D)
1990–1991 Bill Pascrell (D)John Girgenti (D)[7]
John Girgenti (D)Cyril Yannarelli (D)[8]
Frank Catania (R)[9]
1992–1993 John Girgenti (D)Bill Pascrell (D)Frank Catania (R)
1994–1995 John Girgenti (D)Bill Pascrell (D)Frank Catania (R)[10]
Donald Hayden (R)[11]
1996–1997 Bill Pascrell (D)[12] Alfred E. Steele (D)
Nellie Pou (D)[13]
1998–1999 John Girgenti (D)Nellie Pou (D)Alfred E. Steele (D)
2000–2001 Nellie Pou (D)Alfred E. Steele (D)
2002–2003 John Girgenti (D)Nellie Pou (D)Alfred E. Steele (D)
2004–2005 John Girgenti (D)Nellie Pou (D)Alfred E. Steele (D)
2006–2007 Nellie Pou (D)Alfred E. Steele (D)[14]
Elease Evans (D)[15]
2008–2009 John Girgenti (D)Nellie Pou (D)Elease Evans (D)
2010–2011 Nellie Pou (D)Elease Evans (D)
2012–2013 Nellie Pou (D)Benjie E. Wimberly (D)Shavonda E. Sumter (D)
2014–2015 Nellie Pou (D)Benjie E. Wimberly (D)Shavonda E. Sumter (D)
2016–2017 Benjie E. Wimberly (D)Shavonda E. Sumter (D)
2018–2019 Nellie Pou (D)Benjie E. Wimberly (D)Shavonda E. Sumter (D)
2020–2021 Benjie E. Wimberly (D)Shavonda E. Sumter (D)
2022–2023 Nellie Pou (D) Benjie E. Wimberly (D)Shavonda E. Sumter (D)
2024–2025 Nellie Pou (D) Benjie E. Wimberly (D)Shavonda E. Sumter (D)

Election results

General Assembly

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Districts by Number . . July 20, 2015.
  2. Web site: RACE . . October 24, 2021.
  3. Web site: RACE FOR THE POPULATION 18 YEARS AND OVER . . October 24, 2021.
  4. Web site: HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE . . October 24, 2021.
  5. https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/svrs-reports/2023/2023-12-voter-registration-by-legislative-district.pdf Statewide Voter Registration Summary by Legislative District
  6. Died March 4, 1990
  7. Appointed to the Senate on April 5, 1990, elected to remainder of unexpired term in November 1990
  8. Appointed to the Assembly on May 17, 1990, defeated in November 1990 special election
  9. Elected November 1990 special election and sworn into the Assembly shortly thereafter
  10. Resigned on September 23, 1994 to become director of Division of Gaming Enforcement
  11. Appointed to the Assembly in 1994
  12. Resigned on January 3, 1997 after being elected to Congress
  13. Appointed to the Assembly on January 29, 1997
  14. Resigned on September 10, 2007
  15. Appointed to the Assembly on November 9, 2007