Nilsa I. Cruz-Pérez was born on January 21, 1961, in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. She attended the University of Puerto Rico, earning a bachelor's degree in political science, and was active in the Popular Democratic Party during her youth. In 1981, she joined the United States Army and was stationed in Mainz, Germany, where she furthered her education through the U.S. Quartermaster School, Big Bend Community College, Temple University's overseas division, and the University of Maryland's overseas division. She was honorably discharged in 1987 with the rank of Sergeant.

Cruz-Pérez moved to Camden, New Jersey, in 1991, becoming an executive assistant to the vice president of Cooper's Ferry Development Association. In 1993, she became an executive assistant to the mayor of Camden. From 1998 to 2013, she served as outreach and community coordinator for the Camden County Improvement Authority. At the time of her Senate appointment, she was in charge of the Camden County Department of Constituent Services and the Office of Hispanic Affairs.

She entered electoral politics in February 1995 when she was selected to fill a vacancy in the New Jersey General Assembly created by the resignation of Assemblyman Wayne R. Bryant. She was sworn in on February 27, 1995, becoming the first Latina woman to serve in the New Jersey Legislature. She served in the Assembly from 1995 to 2010, representing the 5th Legislative District. During her Assembly tenure, she served as Assistant Majority Leader from 2002 to 2008 and Deputy Majority Leader from 2008 to 2010. She announced in 2009 that she would not seek re-election after 14 years in Trenton.

Following the election of State Senator Donald Norcross to the United States House of Representatives in 2014, Cruz-Pérez was appointed to fill the vacant Senate seat on December 15, 2014, by Democratic committees from Camden and Gloucester counties. She won a special election in November 2015 to complete the remainder of Norcross's term and has been re-elected continuously since then.

In the Senate, Cruz-Pérez serves as Chair of the Economic Growth Committee, Vice-Chair of the Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee, and a member of the Budget and Appropriations Committee. She also serves as Vice-Chair of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee and is a member of the Rutgers University–Camden Board of Directors. She is Secretary of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators.

In 2025, Cruz-Pérez authored legislation to prohibit the commercial farming of octopuses in New Jersey, citing concerns about octopus intelligence and animal rights.

Political Career

• New Jersey State Senator, District 5 (2014–present); appointed December 15, 2014; won special election 2015; current term ends January 11, 2028; re-elected 2017, 2021, 2023

• Chair, Senate Economic Growth Committee (2018–present)

• Vice-Chair, Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee (2015–present)

• Member, Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee (2015–present)

• New Jersey General Assembly, District 5 (1995–2010); first Latina woman in NJ Legislature

• Deputy Majority Leader, New Jersey General Assembly (2008–2010)

• Assistant Majority Leader, New Jersey General Assembly (2002–2008)

• Vice-Chair, New Jersey Democratic State Committee (2015–present)

• Member, Rutgers University–Camden Board of Directors (2014–present)

• Secretary, National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (current)

Key Policy Areas

• Economic development and business growth

• Military and veterans' affairs

• Budget and appropriations

• Animal welfare and agricultural regulation

• Affordable housing

• Public education

Notable Actions / Initiatives

• First Latina woman to serve in New Jersey Legislature (sworn in February 27, 1995)

• Primary sponsor of legislation to prohibit commercial octopus farming in New Jersey (2025)

• Served as Democratic Vice-Chair of 2011 New Jersey Apportionment Commission, which redrew state legislative districts following 2010 census

• Served as primary sponsor of Bill S2599 seeking to change legal term "illegal alien" to "undocumented foreign national"

• Served on Joint Committee on the Public Schools (2015 legislative session)

Education

• B.A., Political Science, University of Puerto Rico

• U.S. Quartermaster School

• Big Bend Community College

• Temple University (overseas division)

• University of Maryland (overseas division)

Personal

• Birth date: January 21, 1961 (age 65 as of 2026)

• Birthplace: Bayamón, Puerto Rico

• Residence: Barrington, New Jersey (formerly Camden)

• Military Service: U.S. Army (1981–1987); stationed Mainz, Germany; rank of Sergeant

• Profession: Part-time community development specialist, Camden County Improvement Authority