Hoboken Library Director, Jersey City Maintenance Supervisor Run For Assembly

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — State politics may get some fresh faces for elected office who aren't as new to local government.

Hoboken Library Director Jennie Pu, who's been in the news for running a library designated as the state's first "Book Sanctuary," has announced a run for state Assembly as a Democrat.

Running with her is Crystal Fonseca, the division director of Buildings and Street Maintenance in Jersey City, who is also a member of Hudson County's Democratic Committee.

The candidacies were announced in a release from the county's Democratic Party late on Wednesday.

Fonseca said, “I’ve devoted my entire career to public service and have seized every opportunity to truly understand the needs of area residents and familiesand, more importantly, to be responsive to those needs. If elected, I intend to work every single day in Trenton to make sure my constituents have a representative that won’t shy away from the critical fights we have in front of us. We must stand against the regressive MAGA policies of Donald Trump while aggressively fighting for affordability and opportunity for our neighbors.”

Pu said, “As a mom, librarian, and PTA leader, I’ve spent my career bringing people together to drive positive change. As a 20-year resident of Hudson County, I know the challenges we face in raising a family and building a future in a place that’s becoming harder to afford. I am asking the voters for the opportunity to represent our district in the New Jersey General Assembly because we all deserve to live in a community that is safe, accessible, and affordable. We deserve leaders who will always put the public good over personal interest and deliver real solutions.”

State Sen. Raj Mukherji said, “I have witnessed firsthand how hard Crystal and Jennie work for my constituents in their municipal service, and their passion and drive on issues that I also care about and their respective stories of their upbringings – as children of immigrants – resonated with me. They will both make exceptional and effective legislators, just as they have been effective advocates for our community.”

The 32rd District includes Hoboken and part of Jersey City.