Overview

Jennifer Williams is a lifelong Trenton resident who assumed office as the North Ward Councilwoman on January 1, 2023. She made history as the first transgender person elected to municipal office in New Jersey and the first LGBTQ member of the Trenton City Council. Prior to her council service, Williams spent 14 years as a member of the Trenton Zoning Board and served as the Republican Municipal Chair for Trenton. She works as a government contractor.

Williams entered electoral politics in 2019 when she ran for the New Jersey General Assembly in the 15th Legislative District, losing to Democratic incumbents Anthony Verrelli and Verlina Reynolds-Jackson. She won her 2022 council seat in a closely contested race, securing victory in the runoff election by a single vote (427 to 426) over opponent Algernon Ward Jr. In November 2024, she won re-election to a six-year term extending to 2029.

Political Career

Member, Trenton City Council (North Ward) – January 1, 2023 to present; term expires January 1, 2029

Council Vice President – Current

Candidate, New Jersey General Assembly (15th District) – 2019 (unsuccessful)

Member, Trenton Zoning Board – 14 years

Republican Municipal Chair, Trenton

Key Policy Areas

Property tax reform

Housing affordability

Safe drinking water and infrastructure

LGBTQ rights and representation

Basic government functionality and fiscal management

Notable Actions / Initiatives

First transgender person elected to municipal office in New Jersey history

First LGBTQ member of Trenton City Council

Contributed to 2020 state legislation banning "gay or trans panic" defense in homicide cases

Won 2022 election by single-vote margin (427-426) in certified runoff results

Education

No publicly available information.

Personal

Birth date: Not publicly available.

Residence: Trenton, New Jersey

Occupation: Government contractor