Britnee N. Timberlake is a Democratic member of the New Jersey Senate representing the 34th Legislative District, which encompasses six municipalities in Essex County. The district's most populous communities include East Orange, Bloomfield, Belleville, the City of Orange, and Nutley. Timberlake assumed office on January 9, 2024, becoming the youngest state senator in New Jersey at that time. She previously served in the General Assembly from 2018 to 2024.
Born on May 14, 1986, Timberlake is the daughter of a U.S. Army 82nd Airborne sergeant and an educator of the mentally and physically challenged. She earned a bachelor's degree in political science with a minor in religious studies and a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in nonprofit management from Seton Hall University. In 2010 she served as an AmeriCorps member in Union County, working on welfare-to-work initiatives, resume writing, GED clinics, and career advancement programs.
Timberlake's community advocacy work began in housing policy. In 2011 she co-founded and became Executive Director of the Essex Community Land Trust, New Jersey's only active affordable housing community land trust, launching the organization with less than $20,000 in seed money. She also served as housing chair of the Montclair NAACP, where she worked to integrate affordable housing throughout the township. In 2015 she was elected to the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, representing District 3, and became the board's president, at the time the only African-American woman leading a freeholder board in New Jersey and the youngest freeholder elected in the state. She was sworn into the General Assembly on January 29, 2018, to replace Sheila Oliver, who had become Lieutenant Governor.
Political Career
Executive Director and Co-Founder, Essex Community Land Trust (2011–present)
Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, District 3 (2015–2018), including tenure as Freeholder President
New Jersey General Assembly, District 34 (2018–2024)
Chair, Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee (2023–2024)
New Jersey State Senate, District 34 (2024–present)
Key Policy Areas
Affordable housing and community land trusts
Economic development and small business equity
Minimum wage and labor standards
Criminal justice reform and independent police investigations
Transportation and infrastructure
Foreclosure prevention and financial empowerment
Notable Actions / Initiatives
Co-founded the Essex Community Land Trust, which has raised more than $2 million in housing subsidies, extended affordability deed restrictions for over 50 homes in Montclair, and participated in the rehabilitation and creation of 13 community land trust units.
Authored an affirmative action law as Essex County Freeholder establishing a set-aside and joint venture program to increase economic opportunity for women-owned, minority-owned, and veteran-owned businesses.
Served as a driving force behind the incremental $15-per-hour minimum wage increase legislation in New Jersey.
Championed the independent prosecutor bill requiring an independent investigation when a person dies during an interaction with law enforcement.
Became the youngest state senator in New Jersey upon taking office in January 2024 at age 37.
Education
B.A., Political Science (minor in Religious Studies), Seton Hall University
M.P.A., Nonprofit Management, Seton Hall University
Personal
Birth date: May 14, 1986
Residence: East Orange
