Rest in Peace, Senator Cunningham

By Max Pizarro | October 7, 2026, 2:48 pm | in Caucus Room

Senator Sandra Bolden Cunningham of Jersey City has died, according to Hudson County Register Jeff Dublin, a close friend.

She was 76.

Senator Cunningham served as a Hudson County lawmaker from 2007 to 2024.

She was the wife of Jersey City Mayor Glenn Cunningham.

A dignified presence, Ms. Cunningham as part of her public service prioritized the needs of the poor, the dispossessed, and incarcerated individuals trying to reenter society.

She entered the rumble of Hudson politics as a candidate following the death of her husband, who had held the LD-31 senate seat.

A friend who knew the couple described Sandra and Glenn Cunningham as people deeply, deeply in love with each other.

He lamented the fact that they did not have more time to share.

Ms. Cunningham was originally from Newark.

Former president of the Sandra and Glenn Cunningham Foundation, Ms. Cunningham also served as president pro tempore of the NJ Senate.

In the storied 2007 race, with the backing of the Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO), she defeated Assemblyman Lou Manzo for the senate seat.

May she rest in peace.

Statement from Assemblyman Jerry Walker on the Passing of Senator Sandra Cunningham

"It is hard to put 25 years of friendship into a statement.

"I met Sandra in 2001 during Glenn’s campaign for Mayor of Jersey City. I wasn’t an elected official then. I was just Jerry, and to Sandra, I remained Jerry through everything that came afterward.

"Over those 25 years, Sandra became much more than someone I knew through politics. She became my friend, my mentor and someone I loved dearly. She watched me grow. She encouraged me when I needed it, gave me advice when I asked for it, and sometimes gave it to me when I didn’t ask. That was Sandra, and I loved her for it.

"We had a real friendship. We laughed. We disagreed. We talked about life, family, Jersey City, politics and everything in between. There were things I could talk to Sandra about because I knew she would give it to me straight and it would stay between us. I trusted her.

"She was there before I became a Hudson County Commissioner. She was there as I found my own way in public service. And she was there to see me become an Assemblyman representing the same 31st Legislative District she represented for so many years.

"I wish I could have one more conversation with her.

"Sandra, I will continue your commitment to making Liberty State Park a destination where all families can come, enjoy it and prosper for generations. I know how much you cared about its future, and I know how much you wanted the families of our community to be part of that future. I will carry that work forward.

"Today, the titles don’t mean much to me.

"I lost Sandra.

"I lost someone who knew me for 25 years. Someone who believed in me before I ever had a title in front of my name. Someone who could make me laugh, straighten me out, encourage me and remind me why the work mattered.

"I am going to miss hearing your voice. I am going to miss our talks. I am going to miss knowing you were there.

"Thank you for 25 years, Sandra.

"I love you, my friend.

"Rest peacefully.

"Jerry"

Nicholas Chiaravalloti- NJ 31 former Assemblyman:

I am heartbroken by the loss of my legislative partner and friend, Senator Sandra Bolden Cunningham.

Sandy spent her life in public service and never forgot who it was for. She carried on the legacy of her late husband, Mayor Glenn Cunningham. Then she built a legacy of her own, fighting for second chances for people coming home from prison, opening doors to higher education, and making sure the families of Jersey City and Bayonne had a voice in Trenton.

She was a gracious person who led with strength, and she always put people ahead of politics. Working beside her was one of the great privileges of my career. Our friendship spanned many years, and I learned more from her than she ever knew.

My thoughts and prayers are with her family, her loved ones, and everyone she served so faithfully. We will miss her deeply.

STATEMENT FROM HUDSON COUNTY COMMISSIONER BILL O’DEA ON THE PASSING OF SENATOR SANDRA BOLDEN CUNNINGHAM

There are some losses where the words come easily. This isn't one of them.

I knew Sandra Cunningham as Senator Cunningham, but long before the title, I knew Sandy.

And I knew Glenn.

Our lives crossed through Jersey City politics, government and community for decades, but what developed between us was much more personal than any office any of us ever held.

Glenn was my friend. Sandy was my friend.

We shared a lot of years together. We shared political battles, victories, disappointments, disagreements, laughs and those private conversations that happen between people who have known each other long enough to speak honestly.

When Glenn died, Jersey City lost a Mayor and a political leader. Sandy lost her husband and best friend. I watched her pick herself up and continue forward while carrying a loss most people could never fully understand.

What always stayed with me was that Sandy never tried to become Glenn.

She was Sandra.

She found her own voice, built her own relationships and went on to serve for years in the State Senate. Through all of it, she remained the Sandy I knew.

There was a warmth to our friendship that politics couldn't touch. We didn't need to agree on everything. Real friendships don't require that. We had enough history between us to know where each other's heart was.

Today, so many memories are coming back.

Glenn. Sandy. Those early days. The campaigns. The conversations. The people who were with us then and are no longer here. A Jersey City from another time that seems a little farther away today.

Losing Sandy feels like losing another piece of that part of my life.

I am grateful for every conversation, every laugh and every moment of friendship we shared. I'm grateful I had the chance to know Glenn and Sandy not simply as two important figures in Jersey City's history, but as people I cared about.

Sandy, you carried Glenn with you for all these years.

Today, I hope you are with your best friend again.

I will miss you, Sandy. Jersey City will miss you.

Rest peacefully, my friend.

Bill O'Dea

Hudson County Commissioner

Caucus Room

Rest in Peace, Senator Cunningham

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