Legislative District 29

NJ Spotlight is sharing election coverage with NJTV News, our sister organization, which invited all candidates to complete a brief survey and record a video message; we have included those for all the candidates who responded.

The 29th District covers Belleville and part of Newark in Essex County.

It’s a district that heavily favors Democrats: Only 6% of district voters are registered as Republicans, while 52% are Democrats and most of the rest are unaffiliated.

The incumbent Democrats beat a primary challenge to defend their seats in the general election. They are Assemblywomen Shanique Speight and Eliana Pintor Marin, both from Newark.

The Republican ticket features Jeannette Veras, a Newark woman who has run unsuccessfully in the last two elections, and John Anello of Belleville.

A slate of independents is also on the ballot: Nichelle Velazquez and Yolanda Johnson, both of Newark. They are running under the banner Jobs, Equal Rights.

ASSEMBLY CANDIDATES

SHANIQUE SPEIGHT: DEMOCRAT (incumbent)

Hometown: Newark

Occupation:Essex County sheriff’s officer

Top three issues: Housing; access to affordable/adequate healthcare; criminal justice reform

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ELIANA PINTOR MARIN: DEMOCRAT (incumbent)

Hometown: Newark

Occupation: Assistant Essex County administrator

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JEANETTE VERAS: REPUBLICAN

Hometown: Newark

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JOHN ANELLO: REPUBLICAN

Hometown: Belleville

NICHELLE VELAZQUEZ: INDEPENDENT (Jobs, Equal Rights)

Hometown: Newark

Occupation: Service industry and college student

Top three issues: Close the ICE “concentration camp” in Newark and others across NJ; equal rights and jobs; free public services for all, paid for by taxing the wealth and income of the top 1 percent.