Members of the Assembly Democratic Caucus convened in Trenton today to select the Leadership Team for the 222nd Legislative Session. Speaker Craig J. Coughlin was chosen to serve a historic fifth term as Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly.

The Caucus met following Tuesday’s election in which high turnout helped power Democratic victories across the state. Democrats in the Assembly successfully defended every seat and flipped an additional three seats for a 55 - 25 majority, with some races still not called. That is the largest majority held by Democrats in fifty years.

The gains in Tuesday’s election show a continued voter shift to the Democratic Party. Since the 2023 election, Assembly Democrats picked up nine seats. The last time a party picked up four or more seats in consecutive elections was 1989-1991.

“It’s an extraordinary honor to have once again earned the trust of my colleagues, and to be chosen to serve a fifth term as Speaker is a privilege that will stand as one of the greatest honors of my life,” said Speaker Coughlin (D-Middlesex). “Together, we have accomplished so many great things for the people of New Jersey and I look forward to continuing to serve the 9.5 million people who call our state home.”

The Caucus also voted to return Majority Leader Louis D. Greenwald (D-Camden, Burlington) to serve an eighth term in his leadership position. Speaker Pro Tempore Annette Quijano (D-Union) will begin her first full-term in this position, and Assemblywoman Linda Carter (D-Somerset, Union) will begin her first full term as Majority Conference Leader.

“I congratulate the leadership team and all of our new and returning members. Our progress over the past eight years speaks for itself and reflects our commitment to tackling the kitchen table issues people care about most. We have accomplished so many great things for the people of New Jersey, from record property tax relief and the launch of the new Stay NJ program, to keeping the costs of medications down, expanding access to housing, supporting working families, and leading the fight against food insecurity,” said Speaker Coughlin. “Kitchen table issues will continue to guide our work as we move forward, and I am eager to spend the next two years working with our leadership team, our caucus, our colleagues in the Legislature, and the Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill to build on the strong foundation we’ve laid for New Jersey’s future.”

Reorganization of the 222^nd Legislative Session will take place on January 13, 2026, when all members will be sworn in and an official vote on leadership will take place.