Overview

Annette Quijano is an attorney and politician who has represented the 20th Legislative District since 2008, becoming the first woman and first Latina to represent the district. A native of New Jersey and daughter of Puerto Rican parents, she has built a legislative career focusing on consumer protection, housing policy, and judicial reform.

Prior to her election to the Assembly, Quijano served as Chief of Staff to State Senator Raymond Lesniak from 1992 to 1994. She also served as Assistant Counsel to Governors James E. McGreevey, Richard J. Codey, and Jon S. Corzine. Her professional experience includes work as a compliance manager for Prudential/Aetna U.S. Healthcare and as a civil attorney.

Political Career

Chief of Staff to Senator Raymond Lesniak (1992–1994)

Assistant Counsel to Union County

Assistant Counsel to Governors McGreevey, Codey, and Corzine

Member, New Jersey General Assembly, District 20 (September 25, 2008–present)

Chair, Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee (2011–2018)

Chair, Assembly Judiciary Committee (2018–2023)

Deputy Majority Leader (prior to 2025)

Speaker Pro Tempore, New Jersey General Assembly (January 30, 2025–present)

Member, Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee (Vice-Chair, 2024–2025)

Member, Assembly Housing Committee (2024–2025)

Key Policy Areas

Consumer affairs and protection

Housing and tenant rights

Judiciary and legal reform

Homeland security and emergency preparedness

Labor and workforce development

LGBTQIA+ rights and gun safety

Notable Actions / Initiatives

Sponsored legislation removing the statute of limitations on sexual assault

Authored laws allowing all eligible New Jersey residents to obtain driver's licenses regardless of immigration status

Sponsored successful legislation allowing striking workers to receive unemployment benefits

Prime sponsor of bill designating Streptomyces griseus as New Jersey State Microbe (2017), recognizing Rutgers University's contribution to antibiotic development

Sponsored legislation expanding paid family leave and preventing wage theft

Served as Chair of National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators Housing Task Force

Education

Rutgers University – Bachelor of Science in Management

Rutgers School of Law–Newark – Juris Doctor (1991)

Clerkships: New Jersey Superior Court (Newark), Office of the Governor's Counsel, New Jersey Department of the Public Advocate

Bar admissions: New Jersey and Pennsylvania

Personal

Birth date: July 4, 1962

Residence: Elizabeth, New Jersey

Other: Recipient of Excellence in State Government Leadership Award and Women of Excellence in Government Award; former adjunct professor at Kean University