Republican Women take on District 38

September 18, 2018

Three Women have announced their candidacy for the State Legislature in District 38. Daisy Berger, of River Edge, is running for State Senate, Jayme Ouellette, former mayor of Rochelle Park, and Gail Horton, of Paramus, are running for State Assembly.

Daisy Ortiz Berger has been a River Edge resident for 10 years. Currently she is the Director of Competitive Intelligence at Diversant, serving ADP, Inc. of Roseland, N.J. as well as an Adjunct Marketing Professor at City University of N.Y.   She also volunteers for many local organizations including Big Brother, Big Sister, Junior Achievement, Junior Women’s Club of River Edge, and has held various posts within the Bergen County Republican Organization. After obtaining her M.B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin, she began her career with J.P. Morgan on the foreign exchange trading desk. From there she climbed the corporate ladder through various executive positions at Ford Motor Company, Bank of America, Citibank and Isuzu Automotive.

“As the national news media is talking about a blue wave across the country, it is up to members of the Republican party to take control and win seats that can bring republican values back to our district,” said Berger.

Former Rochelle Park Mayor Jayme Ouellette has announced her candidacy for State Assembly.  She and her husband reside in the township with their daughter. She was appointed to serve on the Township Committee in February 2011 and served until 2016 as both Deputy Mayor and Mayor of Rochelle Park.  Ouellette has always been involved in public service, beginning her career by serving her country in the United States Air Force.  She has been active in the community as an officer of the Rochelle Park Republican Club, a recreational soccer and baseball coach and a volunteer for various town programs. She is also an active parishioner at The Church of Sacred Heart. Ouellette is currently a Program Leader Manager in the pharmaceutical/medical device arena and has been for over 25 years.  She is a graduate of St. Elizabeth’s College in Madison, N.J. with a Degree in Business Administration and Computer Science and a Master’s Degree in Adult Education.

“I have served my country in the Air Force, currently I have served my township as the Mayor and I hope to serve further as the District 38 Assemblywoman,” said Ouellette.

Gail Horton, an 8-year Executive Board Member of the Paramus Republican Club, has announced her candidacy for New Jersey’s District 38 Assembly. Horton has been a Paramus resident since 1987 and has spent her career helping others.  She has worked and been involved in numerous schools and activities in Paramus prior to accepting a position with Bergen County Special Services School District as a Crisis Intervention Counselor which she held until 2000 when she was forced to shift her focus temporarily due to the passing of her husband.  At this point she made the decision to manage his business in addition to accepting a role to work with autistic children.  It is in this position that she became an expert in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and for which she was recognized for her achievements as the Educational Support Professional of The Year by the New Jersey Education Association.

No stranger to adversity, she was faced with another challenge when she received a diagnosis of breast cancer. She was given a positive report at the five-year mark but in 2013 they believed that there was a possible recurrence of metastasized cancer.  While awaiting the results from her physician, she poured herself a glass of wine at home and then joined friends at a restaurant for a birthday dinner.  During the dinner she received the news that the report was negative and celebrated with another glass of wine.  This turned out to be a poor choice as she was pulled over on the way home and ultimately was charged with a DUI.  She decided to do what she had always done and use this experience to once again help others by privately counseling on how alcohol consumption can impact one’s life.

“I believe I can help so many in District 38 through lessons I have learned politically, professionally and personally,” said Horton.