Andrea Katz was born in 1978 or 1979 and raised in Pennsylvania, where she attended Pennsbury High School and studied fine arts and glassblowing at Bucks County Community College. Her childhood was marked by family instability—her mother struggled with addiction and mental health issues, and Katz spent years bouncing between relatives' homes, at times only one family member away from entering the foster care system.

Katz moved to Chesterfield Township, New Jersey, where she became active in local politics. In 2013, a mail-in primary ballot arrived at her home with only a Republican candidate running for township committee. Outraged that the seat would be filled without contest, she launched a write-in campaign that afternoon at 3 p.m., though she fell short of the required signatures. The experience ignited her political career.

She subsequently served on the Chesterfield Township School Board and as a township committeewoman, where she worked to implement the Chesterfield Township Parks and Recreation Master Plan and served on the Chesterfield Township Alliance Against Substance Abuse. She also served as communications director for the Fair Funding Action Committee, a bipartisan grassroots group advocating for increased school funding across South Jersey.

In the 2023 New Jersey General Assembly election, Katz challenged Republican incumbents in the 8th Legislative District, which covers portions of Atlantic and Burlington counties. The contest initially appeared to be a Republican hold, with Katz conceding the day after the November 7 election. However, as election workers continued counting mail-in ballots, the Democratic skew became pronounced. Within the week, Katz was declared the winner by a 252-vote margin over first-term Assemblyman Brandon Umba, pulling off one of the cycle's biggest upsets. She became the first elected Democrat to represent the district since John A. Sweeney in 1974—nearly 50 years.

Katz was sworn into office on January 9, 2024. In the Assembly, she serves as Chair of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee and sits on the Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee, the Environment, Natural Resources, and Solid Waste Committee, and the Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee. She was re-elected in November 2025 alongside running mate Anthony Angelozzi, giving Democrats both Assembly seats in the district for the first time in modern history.

Political Career

• New Jersey General Assemblywoman, District 8 (2024–present); current term ends January 11, 2028; re-elected 2025

• Chair, Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee (2024–present)

• Member, Assembly Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee (2024–present)

• Member, Assembly Environment, Natural Resources, and Solid Waste Committee (2024–present)

• Member, Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee (2024–present)

• Chesterfield Township Committeewoman (prior to 2024)

• Chesterfield Township School Board Member (prior to 2024)

• Communications Director, Fair Funding Action Committee (prior to 2024)

Key Policy Areas

• Affordability and cost-of-living relief

• Public education funding and school formula reform

• Reproductive rights and healthcare access

• Behavioral and mental health services for children

• Agricultural economy and rural development

• Energy affordability and utility regulation

Notable Actions / Initiatives

• First Democrat elected to represent District 8 in 50 years (2023 upset victory)

• Authored resolution advancing national constitutional amendment to enshrine abortion and IVF access into federal law

• Proposed legislation adding electricity surcharge to energy-intensive data centers to offset consumer costs

• Championed Stay New Jersey program providing 50% property tax credit for seniors and ANCHOR program offering up to $1,500 annual property tax relief

• Served as fierce advocate for children with special needs and increased behavioral health services in public schools

• Knocked on nearly 12,000 doors during 2023 campaign with running mate Anthony Angelozzi

Education

• Fine Arts and Glassblowing, Bucks County Community College

• Pennsbury High School

Personal

• Birth date: 1978 or 1979 (age 46-47 as of 2026)

• Residence: Chesterfield Township, New Jersey

• Spouse: Jonathan Katz (attorney; Republican)

• Children: Three (Nathan, Charlotte, Molly; ages 16 to 12 as of 2024)

• Profession: Public policy advocate; former stay-at-home mom