Hudson County Election Profile: Annette Chaparro Of Hoboken

HOBOKEN, NJ — Four candidates filed by the April deadline to face off for two 33rd District state Assembly seats in November. The 33rd District covers Hoboken, part of Jersey City, Weehawken, and Union City.

Among the candidates is Hoboken resident Annette Chaparro, an incumbent and a Hoboken resident.

Running alongside her for re-election is Democrat Raj Mukherji. The pair will be challenged on Nov. 2 by Republicans Marcos Marte and Jacob Curtis for the two seats.

All four are on the primary election ballot this coming Tuesday, although they don't face any challenges for their respective parties' nomination to run in November.

Each legislative district in New Jersey includes one state Senator and two Assembly representatives.

For state Senate, incumbent State Senator Brian Stack, a Democrat, is up for re-election as well. He will face Republican Agha Kahn in November.

Here is the candidate profile submitted to Patch by Assemblywoman Annette Chaparro.

Watch Patch for an election guide about voting in the primaries this coming Tuesday.

Assemblywoman Chaparro's Profile

Age (as of Election Day)

53

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Family

Nicholas (hospital employee), John (US Dept. of Defense), and Seth (Student)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

Yes

Education

Hoboken High School

Occupation

Clerk II, City of Hoboken, 17 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

NJ General Assembly, 2016-Present

Campaign website

N/A

Why are you seeking elected office?

It’s been the honor of my life to serve as a member of the General Assembly since 2016 representing my home district and advocating on behalf of my neighbors for a better New Jersey. While I’m proud of my legislative accomplishments and how I’ve represented Hudson County thus far, now more than ever, there’s so much work to do to help our community bounce back from this pandemic. I’ve seen New Jersey’s small businesses, bars, restaurants, and our residents struggle over the past year, and I’ve worked hard for economic relief for families, business owners, renters, and other residents of this community. My experience over the past 14 months has only strengthened my resolve to continue to serve the 33rd District. Now, as we look to bounce back from the lows of this pandemic, I want to be there for my neighbors once more to help us return stronger than ever, with no one left behind. I’m running because I believe I have the ideas, knowledge, and buy-in from my community to lead in this pivotal time.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is what, and this is what you intend to do about it?

Right now, it’s getting back to some sense of normalcy from this pandemic. We need to ensure people are back to work, have access to vaccines, receiving the economic help they need, and ensuring everyone has an opportunity to succeed, and that includes safely having our children back in schools. I intend to ensure through legislative efforts that New Jersey continues to offer economic relief to those out of work from this pandemic and that we’re re-opening in a safe manner. As part of this, I also want to make sure we have expanded access to mental health care. This was an earth shifting and life changing year for everyone, and I want to help remove the stigma to people saying they need help and make sure access is available.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

N/A

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

N/A

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Even once the pandemic ends and we return to whatever our normal will be, the issues that were front and center in 2019 will still be there. We need to work to ensure affordable housing is here to stay in Hudson County. We need living wages for workers. We need to provide resources for children and young adults. I’m proud to be a sponsor of the Reproductive Freedom Act to solidify protections for those seeking access to reproductive health and family planning. But most importantly, I want people to understand that I’m their neighbor and representative who will take your phone call and help find solutions to any problems whenever I can help.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

There are certainly pieces of legislation I’m proud of and I’ve taken a real hands-on approach to constituent services, but I think the trust placed in me by the voters and in my colleagues has been evidence that I can handle this job. I’ve been elected by Hudson County voters in 2015, 2017, and 2019. I’ve voted my conscience and in line with the values of the people I represent. And my colleagues have constantly placed me in prominent positions and on vital committees. Currently I am the Vice Chair of the Law and Public Safety Committee, Vice Chair on the Special Committee on Infrastructure and Natural Resources, and I serve on the Community Development and Affairs & Transportation and Independent Authorities committees. I am also part of the NJ Legislative Latino Caucus, and the NJ Disability Caucus. In short, I work hardest to get things done when my community needs me.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Be yourself. There’s a lot of pressure to be a certain type of politician from people once you’re in the public arena. But I’ve learned that being my authentic self is the best way to represent Hudson County and my neighbors. I grew up in the Hoboken Housing Authority, I’ve raised three wonderful children, and all my life experiences have shaped who I am today. And I realize I’m a true representative of Hudson County and the people I serve. I know the needs of this community and I’ve learned how to advocate for all of us by reflecting on my own experiences and being there to help people who need it.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I’ve worked and got bills passed under Republican and Democratic governors. I don’t hesitate to get things done with bi-partisan support if it means it’s something that’s going to benefit our residents. But I am very excited to continue serving, if the voters allow me to, with Governor Murphy in office. I believe that we’re on the right track in New Jersey and that given my experience, my willingness to reach across the aisle, and the recovery that’s hopefully waiting for us at the other side of this pandemic, that our community can reach new heights in the years to come.

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