Paul D. Moriarty is a Democratic member of the New Jersey Senate representing the 4th Legislative District, which encompasses municipalities in Camden, Gloucester, and Atlantic counties. The district's most populous communities include Gloucester Township, Washington Township, Monroe Township, Winslow Township, and Franklin Township. Moriarty assumed office on January 9, 2024, after nearly 18 years in the General Assembly.

Born on September 25, 1956, Moriarty was raised in Salem, Massachusetts. He earned a B.A. in Communications from Temple University and spent 17 years as an investigative journalist at KYW-TV in Philadelphia, earning more than 30 Emmy Awards for consumer protection reporting. He served six years as a shop steward with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.

Moriarty entered electoral politics in 2004, winning election as mayor of Washington Township in Gloucester County on a platform of open government and property tax relief. He served one term from 2005 to 2008, surviving an unsuccessful recall effort in 2006. He was elected to the General Assembly in 2005 and served from 2006 to 2024, including as Deputy Speaker from 2018 to 2024 and as chairman of the Consumer Affairs Committee. In 2023 he ran for the State Senate seat vacated by Fred Madden and defeated Republican Christopher Del Borrello.

Political Career

• Mayor, Washington Township, Gloucester County (2005–2008)
• New Jersey General Assembly, District 4 (2006–2024)
• Chairman, Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee (2010–2024)
• Deputy Speaker, New Jersey General Assembly (2018–2024)
• New Jersey State Senate, District 4 (2024–present)
• Vice-Chair, Senate Law and Public Safety Committee (2024–present)

Key Policy Areas

• Consumer protection and fraud prevention
• Law enforcement accountability and transparency
• Public safety and emergency response
• Property tax relief and affordability
• Senior services and pension oversight
• Food establishment and small business support

Notable Actions / Initiatives

• Authored legislation requiring dashboard cameras in all new municipal police vehicles, inspired by his own 2012 false arrest for driving while intoxicated that was disproven by dashcam footage.
• Sponsored legislation increasing penalties for swatting after he was himself the target of a hoax emergency call at his home in 2015.
• Awarded more than 30 Emmy Awards during a 17-year career as an investigative television journalist focused on consumer rights.
• Introduced legislation in 2026 to establish a $25,000 annual tax credit for New Jersey food establishments in continuous operation for 25 years or more.

Education

• B.A., Communications, Temple University

Personal

• Birth date: September 25, 1956
• Residence: Washington Township