TRENTON – With family and friends by her side, Senator Sandra Bolden Cunningham was sworn in today by Senate President Richard Codey to fill the remaining weeks of the term vacated by Senator Joseph A. Doria in the 31st Legislative District, which includes Bayonne and parts of Jersey City in Hudson County.
“Today marks a joyous occasion where I can continue to carry on the legacy of my husband,” said Senator Cunningham, D-Hudson. “As a State Senator, I am eager to get to work to protect the rights of all New Jersey residents. I hope to focus on making a positive impact in health and human service issues. I also am eager to work on the Second Chance program to reduce the rate of repeat criminal offenders.”
Senator Cunningham is the wife of the late Glenn D. Cunningham, the first black Mayor of Jersey City, who was elected State Senator, 31st District a few months prior to his passing.
Senator Cunningham was selected in October to replace Senator Doria who was selected to serve as the Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs. Senator Doria originally joined the Senate in December of 2004 after the late Senator Glenn D. Cunningham passed away suddenly of heart failure in the spring.
Currently, Senator Cunningham is the Executive Director of The Glenn D. & Sandra Cunningham Foundation located in Jersey City whose goal is to provide high school students who may not get the opportunity to attend college with scholarships and funds for books. The Foundation also partners the students with mentors to help them through college.
Senator Cunningham is the former Executive Director of the Hudson County Bar Association in Jersey City. At Montclair State College, she taught basic information regarding the Judicial and Court System to grammar and high school students. As the Deputy Director of the Metropolitan Ecumenical Ministry, she initiated programs to expand the role of the church in the community.
Senator Cunningham said that she “hopes to continue on the journey that she and her husband began years ago by helping enrich the lives of the residents of this great State.”
On Tuesday, Senator Cunningham was elected to a 4-year term by winning 88% of the Senate vote in the 31st district.
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