Overview

Walter Reed Gusciora has served as the Mayor of Trenton, New Jersey's capital city, since July 1, 2018. Prior to his mayoral tenure, he represented the 15th Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly for 22 years, from 1996 to 2018. During his legislative career, he held several leadership positions including Deputy Majority Leader from 2008 to 2018, Assistant Majority Leader from 2006 to 2007, and Assistant Minority Leader from 1998 to 2001

Gusciora earned a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and International Relations from The Catholic University of America and a J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law in 1988. His professional background includes work as an attorney, congressional aide to the late Representative Mike Synar of Oklahoma, campaign aide to New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Barbara Boggs Sigmund, and municipal prosecutor for Princeton, Lawrence Township, and Hopewell Borough. He has also served as an adjunct professor in the Political Science Department at The College of New Jersey

Born in Passaic, New Jersey, Gusciora developed connections to Trenton during his childhood through his father, who worked at the New Jersey Department of Health in the city. In 2011, following legislative redistricting that placed his Princeton residence in a different district, Gusciora moved to Trenton to continue representing the 15th District, which he had served for over two decades

Political Career

New Jersey General Assembly, 15th Legislative District (1996–2018)

Deputy Majority Leader, New Jersey General Assembly (2008–2018)

Assistant Majority Leader, New Jersey General Assembly (2006–2007)

Assistant Minority Leader, New Jersey General Assembly (1998–2001)

Mayor of Trenton, New Jersey (2018–present; re-elected 2022, term ends December 31, 2026)

Key Policy Areas

Environmental protection and sustainability

Public safety and community policing

Economic development and housing

Youth services and education

Healthcare access and public health

Government transparency and ethics reform

Notable Actions / Initiatives

Authored the New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act, prohibiting smoking in indoor public places and workplaces

Sponsored legislation legalizing medical marijuana in New Jersey

Successfully negotiated with Governor Phil Murphy's administration for the return of Capital City Aid to Trenton

Established Trenton's first Neighborhood Health Clinic and launched the Trenton Youth "WIN" App to connect youth with essential services

Selected for the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative (2019–2020), a program for mayors focused on innovative city leadership

Education

B.A., Politics and International Relations, The Catholic University of America

J.D., Seton Hall University School of Law (1988)

Personal

Birth date: March 27, 1960

Residence: Trenton, Mercer County, New Jersey