Overview

Bonnie Watson Coleman was born on February 6, 1945, in Camden, New Jersey. She is the daughter of John S. Watson, who served in the New Jersey General Assembly. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Thomas Edison State College in 1985 and attended Rutgers University–Camden.

Watson Coleman began her government career in 1974 as director of the Civil Rights and Contract Compliance Division at the New Jersey Department of Transportation. She later served as assistant commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs during the 1980s. Her early work focused on civil rights enforcement and affirmative action.

She entered electoral politics in 1998 when she won election to the New Jersey General Assembly, representing the 15th District. She served in the Assembly until 2014 and became the first African American woman to serve as Majority Leader from 2006 to 2010. She also chaired the New Jersey Democratic State Committee from 2002 to 2006.

Watson Coleman won election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2014, succeeding Rush Holt. She represents New Jersey's 12th Congressional District. She is the first African American woman to represent New Jersey in Congress. She announced in November 2025 that she would not seek reelection in 2026.

Political Career

New Jersey General Assembly, 15th District (1998-2014)

Majority Leader, New Jersey General Assembly (2006-2010)

Chair, New Jersey Democratic State Committee (2002-2006)

U.S. Representative, New Jersey's 12th Congressional District (2015-present)

Member, House Appropriations Committee (2021-present)

Member, House Budget Committee (2023-present)

Member, House Democratic Whip Team

Co-chair, Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls (2016-present)

Key Policy Areas

Healthcare access and health disparities

Criminal justice reform and prison privatization

Economic justice and poverty reduction

Women's rights and reproductive health

Racial justice and civil rights

Environmental justice and pipeline safety

Notable Actions / Initiatives

Introduced the CROWN Act to prohibit hair discrimination at the federal level

Authored the End For-Profit Prisons Act to eliminate federal contracts with private prisons

Founded the Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls in 2016 to address issues affecting African American women

Introduced the Healthy MOM Act to extend Medicaid coverage for postpartum women

Education

Bachelor of Arts, Thomas Edison State College, 1985

Personal

Birth date: February 6, 1945

Residence: Ewing Township, Mercer County, New Jersey