Primary Election Profile: Incumbent Ramirez Runs For Assembly Nomination

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 Jessica Ramirez's answers to the questions. She's running on a slate with Jersey City Councilman Yousef Saleh. Even though there are three slates, Democratic voters can pick any two nominees in the June 10 primary.

More Background

Right now, Assemblywoman 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 Yousef Saleh. They have been endorsed by Jersey City Mayor and gubernatorial candidate Steve Fulop.

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.

See this story on where and how to vote.

Profile: Jessica Ramirez

Name: Jessica Ramirez

Current town: Jersey City

Town where you grew up: Cayey, Puerto Rico/Egg Harbor Township

Educational background: B.A. Political Science and Minor in Latin American History (Stockton), J.D. (Seton Hall Law)

Government or local experience: Assemblywoman, LD32 (Elected in 2023), Jersey City Planning Board, Office of Attorney Ethics

Current full-time job, if you have one: Attorney at D'Arcy Johnson Day specializing in representing survivors of sexual violence and injured workers

Family information:

My family taught me how important it is for us to make sure the American Dream is within reach for everyone.

We moved from Puerto Rico to New Jersey when I was eight years old. My father came ahead of the rest of us to find employment. When he was offered a good union job at a casino, it changed everything for us. First, he worked as a dishwasher at Bally’s, then in housekeeping, and later as a casino dealer at the Claridge and Showboat casinos. He eventually became a union maintenance worker in the Pleasantville school system. Regardless of the job, it was the opportunity to do well and provide for us that made all the difference. That’s what we owe families today.

My mother also worked hard to help build our life here, starting as a housekeeper at the Golden Nugget, then transitioning to an office worker position at the Sands Casino, and ultimately becoming a school secretary in the Pleasantville school system.

My brother proudly served our country for 26 years and is now a Navy veteran. As a family, we worked hard, overcame challenges, and embraced every opportunity this country has to offer.

Please link to your campaign website or the best place to find information about you: http://www.ramirezandsalehforassembly.com/

Questions

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

Put simply: No other candidate is as committed as I am to making life easier for families in our community.

When my family moved here, I saw firsthand how providing people with the tools and resources they need to succeed can change lives. My father and mother were given the opportunity to provide for us when they were hired for good, union jobs. The rest came from hard work.

As your Democratic assembly member, I introduced legislation and helped pass legislation that makes life easier for families in our community. I voted to strengthen our schools, invest in transportation and infrastructure, and make sure housing is affordable.

As an attorney, I’ve dedicated my life to fighting for justice for victims of sexual assault or workplace abuse. And I was appointed by the New Jersey Supreme Court to serve on the Attorney Ethics Committee, ensuring the highest standards of conduct.

And as a single mom who raised a son who is now a freshman in college, I know how hard parents and caregivers work. We owe it to them and to everyone in our community to do everything in our power to make their lives just a little easier.

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

1) Housing Affordability

2) Investing in Transportation and Infrastructure

3) Strengthening Our Education System

On the topic of housing affordability, I’ve been among the most active members in the Assembly. I introduced a comprehensive package that strengthens tenant protections (A5453), prevents hedge funds from buying up single-family homes (A5451), caps HOA and ancillary fees (A5744) (A5747), prioritizes New Jersey residents for affordable housing (A5452), and incentivizes moderate-income housing development (A5454).

I support making significant investments to ensure our public transit systems are safe and modern. To that end, I voted YES on A4704 to require wealthy companies to pay a corporate transit fee to fund NJ Transit. I’m also a strong advocate for investing in roads and bridges to ensure local businesses can get their products and services safely to market.

To strengthen our education system, I introduced a payroll tax bill (A4376) requiring major employers in Jersey City to contribute to our schools, and I’ve pledged to vote “no” on any state budget that cuts funding for students in our district. I also support making voluntary, high-quality early learning affordable for anyone who wants to participate and bringing vocational education programs back to our high schools.

3. If there is anything else you'd like voters to know?

I want voters in District 32 to know that everything I do comes from a place of deep personal passion and commitment.

My work is driven by the experiences I had coming here from Puerto Rico, the opportunities provided to me by our community when I was growing up, the stories of victims I represented in court, and the progress we’ve made in the Assembly on behalf of all our families.

As your Democratic Assemblywoman, I take that passion into the State House, championing affordable housing, stronger schools, safe affordable transit, and a booming economy.

But it doesn’t stop there. I’m working to champion the rights of women every step of the way. I’ve cosponsored key legislation to protect access to IVF, hold crisis pregnancy centers accountable, expand menstrual equity, create civil actions for survivors whose evidence was buried, and support survivors of abuse and trafficking.

I am the only candidate who understands from personal experience the impact we can make when we provide families with the tools and resources they need to succeed.

That’s why you know I’ll never stop working to make our lives easier and more affordable.

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Here is the primary election timeline.