Over Fifty Trailblazing Women Leaders Stand with Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill for Congress

Women leaders across New Jersey, representing education, healthcare, government, labor, and community advocacy, unite in endorsing Gill’s campaign for Congress.

MONTCLAIR, NJ – Today, Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill, Democratic candidate for Congress in New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District, announced the backing of more than fifty prominent women leaders from across New Jersey. This broad coalition, representing government, education, healthcare, labor, the arts, community service, and grassroots organizing, underscores Gill’s broad and growing support among women who are shaping the state’s future.

“These women are leaders in every sense of the word — people who show up, who fight for their communities, and who know what it takes to make real progress,” said Brendan Gill. “I’m honored to have their trust. Their partnership inspires me and reminds me why this race matters: because everyone across NJ-11 deserves a representative who is accessible and accountable, someone who listens to women, learns from women, and leads alongside them.”

Gill’s campaign recently submitted more than 1,700 petition signatures to secure a place on the ballot—a clear demonstration of the strong community and grassroots support he has built across the 11th Congressional District. The signatures reflect broad backing from voters in communities throughout Essex, Morris, and Passaic counties.

Gill’s endorsers span state and local officials, nonprofit leaders, labor union advocates, community organizers, and cultural trailblazers. Each has worked closely with him and witnessed firsthand his dedication to public service, economic fairness, and strengthening community.

Women Leaders Endorsing Brendan Gill Include: (in alphabetical order)

1. Lori Price Abrams, former Montclair Councilwoman
2. Diane Tyree-Anglin, President, Montclair NAACP
3. Dr. Renee Baskerville, MD, Montclair Mayor
4. Elsie Barrick, President of the Board of Directors of First Montclair House, realtor, and HBCU graduate
5. Linda Bennett, Cedar Grove Democratic Chair
6. Eileen Birmingham, Montclair Councilor
7. Catherine Bolder, Board Member, Montclair Fund for Women
8. Renee C. Burgess, Senator, 28th Legislative District
9. Pat Ceasar, President, Essex County Federation of Democratic Women
10. Beth Chevat, Community Activist
11. Evie Colbert, Montclair Film President and Board of Trustees New Jersey State Council on the Arts
12. Tyshammie L. Cooper, Essex County Commissioner Vice President
13. Megan Coyne, Vice President at Mercury Public Affairs, former White House Social Media Director
14. Deborah Davis Ford, Former Essex County Clerk and South Village Trustee President
15. Marilyn Davis, President & CEO, MDD Connections, LLC
16. Jessica de Koninick, Past President of Bnai Keshet Synagogue and Former Montclair Council member
17. Cheryl Desmarais, Millburn Democratic Chair
18. Kat Esquiche, Civic Advocate, Wayne Resident
19. Audrey Fletcher-Lee, Former Montclair Councilwoman
20. Eileen Fishman, Roseland Democratic Vice Chair
21. Diana Guardabasco, Belleville Councilwoman
22. Jeannette Hernandez, Registered Nurse, Health Care Advocate, Former Council Candidate Randolph
23. Kathleen Hernandez, President of Communications Workers of America Local 1031
24. Robin Holcomb, Educator and Former President of the Education Association of Passaic
25. Rosemary Iverson, Retired Educator and Montclair Library Board of Directors
26. Debra Kagan, Executive Director, New Jersey Bike and Walk Coalition
27. Deborah Mans, Glen Ridge Mayor
28. Marcia Marley, President of BlueWaveNJ
29. Bernadette McPherson, Esq., DNC Member and Former Bergen County Freeholder
30. Jasmine Mettellus, President of Essex County Young Democrats
31. Anne Mernin, Executive Director, Toni’s Kitchen
32. Carmen Theresa Morales, Assemblywoman, 34th Legislative District
33. Jenny Mundell, Bloomfield Mayor
34. A’Dorian Murray Thomas, Essex County Commissioner
35. Tanya Poteat, Early Childhood Leader and Vice Chair of Montclair Dems
36. Jessica Ramirez, Assemblywoman 32nd Legislative District
37. Annette Romano, Millburn Mayor
38. Teresa Ruiz, Senate Majority Leader, 29th Legislative District
39. Robin Schlager, former Montclair Councilwoman
40. Romaine Sermons, Essex County Commissioner
41. Susan Shin Anderson, Montclair Deputy Mayor
42. Shavonda Sumter, Assemblywoman, 35th Legislative District
43. Terry Swanson Tucker, Chief of Staff, New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency and NAACP Member
44. Britnee Timberlake, Senator, 34th Legislative District
45. Aminah Toler, Montclair Councilor
46. Lorena Tyson, Retired Montclair Public School Teacher
47. Noemi Velazquez, Board Member of Latina Civic, founding member of LUPE Fund
48. Melissa Walker, Founder, Jazz House Kids
49. Mayrose Wegmann, Union Organizer and President of New Jersey Leadership Collective
50. Kathryn Weller-Demming, Former Deputy Mayor, Montclair
51. Bryn Whittle, Attorney and Community Leader
52. Pamela Wilczynski, Public School Teacher and Union Leader
53. Jackie Yustein, Glen Ridge Democratic Chair

About Brendan Gill

Brendan Gill is an Essex County Commissioner and a longtime advocate for working families, public education, and economic justice. Born and raised in New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District, Gill has spent his career advancing policies that strengthen communities, expand opportunity, and protect democratic values.