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
Contact this candidate by email.
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.
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YOLANDA JOHNSON: INDEPENDENT (Jobs, Equal Rights)
Hometown: Newark
Occupation: College student and mother
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.
Follow this link for more information.