Overview

Reginald W Atkins is a Democratic politician and ordained clergyman who served two terms in the New Jersey General Assembly, representing the 20th Legislative District from 2022-2026. Prior to his election to the Assembly, he served as Mayor of Roselle (2020–2021), Borough Council President (2018–2019), and Councilman-At-Large (2016–2019) in the Union County municipality. He also served as President of the Roselle Public Schools Board of Education from 2007 to 2016, where he focused on educational policy and youth development.

Outside of elected office, Atkins maintained a career in technology and telecommunications management, working as a senior manager and director for Computer Task Group and Tata Communications, and as a service delivery manager for CompuCom. He is the founder and senior pastor of Zion Family Worship Center Church in Roselle, a ministry he established at age 28, and he founded the New Destiny Community Development Corporation to support community development initiatives.

Political Career

President, Roselle Public Schools Board of Education (2007–2016); president in 2007 and 2016

Councilman-At-Large, Roselle Borough Council (2016–2019)

Council President, Roselle Borough Council (2018–2019)

Mayor, Borough of Roselle (2020–2021)

Member, New Jersey General Assembly, District 20 (January 11, 2022–January 13, 2026)

Deputy Majority Leader, New Jersey General Assembly (2023–2026)

Member, Assembly Community Development and Affairs, Human Services, and Labor Committees (2023–2024)

Chair, Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee (2024–2025)

Vice-Chair, Assembly Higher Education Committee (2024–2025)

Member, Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee (2024–2025)

Democratic Municipal Chairman, Roselle

Key Policy Areas

Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations

Higher Education

Aging and Human Services

Housing and Homelessness

Labor and Workforce Development

Violence Prevention

Notable Actions / Initiatives

Sponsored and secured passage of A1682, legislation requiring New Jersey public schools to teach the history and contributions of the labor movement, signed into law in 2025

Sponsored the "Homeless Bill of Rights" (A1678), establishing statutory protections for individuals experiencing homelessness

Sponsored legislation expanding Medicaid coverage to include community violence prevention services, addressing public health approaches to violence intervention

Chaired the Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee during the 2024–2025 legislative session, overseeing state government accountability and federal-state relations

Announced in January 2025 that he would not seek re-election to a third term, citing the abolition of New Jersey's "county line" primary ballot system and a desire to return to direct community service through his pastoral work and nonprofit organization

Education

Not publicly available

Personal

Birth date: December 25, 1967

Residence: Roselle, New Jersey

Occupation: Former Assemblyman; Founder and Senior Pastor, Zion Family Worship Center Church