Primary Election Profile: Hoboken Library Director Jennie Pu Runs For Assembly

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — Six local Democrats are running to be the party nominees for two 32nd District Assembly seats on the November ballot.

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

Patch is profiling each of the six candidates. See the other profiles here and here.

Below are candidate incumbent Jennie Pu's answers to the questions. She's running on a slate with Jersey City Director of Buildings and Street Maintenance Crystal Fonseca.

Even though there are three slates, Democratic voters can pick any two nominees in the June 10 primary.

More Background

Right now, Assemblywoman Jessica Ramirez and Assemblyman John Allen, two Democrats, represent both towns, but Allen has decided not to run for another two-year term. Ramirez is now running on a ticket with Jersey City Ward D (Heights) Councilman Youssef Saleh. Both are backed by Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, a governor candidate.

Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla, who has said he won't run again for the mayoral spot, is running for Assembly on a ticket with Jersey City-based housing expert Katie Brennan.

Finally, Hoboken Library Director Jennie Pu is running with Jersey City Director of Buildings and Street Maintenance Crystal Fonseca. They have the backing of the well-funded political group, the Hudson County Democratic Organization.

In the primaries, candidates from each party compete to get the most votes to represent their party on the General Election ballot in November.

Residents who hope to vote in the New Jersey primary elections — including for governor and for local legislative posts like Assembly — must cast their ballot by or on June 10.

Jennie Pu's Answers

Name: Jennie Pu
Age: 51
Current town: Jersey City, NJ
Town where you grew up: 20 year resident of Jersey City
Educational background:
Bachelor’s degree from University of Washington, Seattle; Master of Library Science Degree from Queens College, City University of New York.
Government or local experience: Director of the Hoboken Public Library; former Dean of Libraries at Hudson County Community College; former trustee of the Hamilton Park Neighborhood Association; Founder & President, Cordero PS #37 PTA, Jersey City, NJ
Current full-time job: Director, Hoboken Public Library
Family information: A proud mother of children in Jersey City Public Schools, married to a lifelong Jersey City resident, and daughter of immigrants from China who taught her the importance of perseverance and service.

Questions

1. What differentiates you from the other candidates running in the Democratic primary?

What sets me apart is that I’m deeply rooted in all parts of our district—I live in Jersey City and work in Hoboken, fully immersed in the daily
lives of our diverse communities. I bring 20 years of experience leading some of Hudson County’s most innovative public institutions. I chaired
the legislative committee for the New Jersey Library Association and led the successful fight for a landmark bill protecting the right to read for all New Jerseyans. I’ve managed multimillion-dollar budgets, built coalitions across sectors, and delivered services to thousands of families. I’m running because our communities deserve bold, effective leadership that listens, includes, and delivers, as I have for years.

2. What are the biggest issues in the 32nd District Assembly race, and how do you intend to solve them?

The pressing issues include education, investing in mass transit, and housing affordability. I will fight for equitable funding for our public schools so that every student, in every neighborhood, has access to a high-quality education. I’ll work to transform our mass transit system by securing dedicated, long-term funding for NJ TRANSIT, enacting the NJT Customer Advocate legislation, and canceling the misguided Turnpike expansion—while holding the Port Authority accountable for long-overdue PATH improvements. When it comes to housing, we need smart policies that protect tenants, preserve affordability, and support inclusive development. My priorities are shaped by real experience in public service and a deep commitment to listening to and working with our communities.

3. If there is anything else you'd like voters to know, you can use this space, but please keep it to 200 words or fewer. As the potential first Chinese American to serve in the history of the New Jersey Legislature (and the only librarian), I’m committed to ensuring that the voices of working families, immigrants, and underserved communities alike are heard in Trenton. Hudson County is full of everyday people doing extraordinary things. I’m not here to play politics—I’m here to get to work and represent us in Trenton.

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Here is the primary election timeline.