Overview

William W. Spearman was born on February 27, 1958, and raised in Camden, New Jersey. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School (now Eastside High School) and earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Rutgers University. He later obtained a Master of Business Administration in Real Estate and Urban Land Studies from Temple University.

Spearman built a career in public administration and transportation policy. He worked for the South Jersey Transportation Authority for more than a decade, serving as an Administrative Analyst from 2008 to 2010, then as Compliance Officer from 2010 to the present, and as Ethics Liaison Officer since 2013. He also held positions with the City of Camden as Director of Economic and Industrial Development and as Personnel Officer in 2005 and 2006. He served as Director of Real Estate for the Camden Redevelopment Agency from 2003 to 2004 and has been a Commissioner of the Camden County Improvement Authority since 2013.

Spearman entered electoral politics in 1994, winning election to the Camden City Council. He served from 1994 to 1997 and again from 2006 to 2011. In June 2018, he was selected by the Camden County Democratic Party committee to fill a vacancy in the New Jersey General Assembly caused by the resignation of Assemblyman Arthur Barclay. He was sworn into office on June 30, 2018, and has been re-elected continuously since then.

Political Career

New Jersey State Assemblyman, District 5 (2018–present); appointed June 2018; current term ends January 11, 2028; re-elected 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025

Deputy Democratic Whip, New Jersey General Assembly (2020–2021)

Chair, Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee (2023–present)

Vice Chair, Assembly Agriculture and Food Security Committee (2023–present)

Member, Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee (2023–present)

Member, Assembly Special Committee on Infrastructure and Natural Resources (2023–present)

Camden City Council (1994–1997, 2006–2011)

Commissioner, Camden County Improvement Authority (2013–present)

Key Policy Areas

Public safety and criminal justice reform

Transportation infrastructure

Agriculture and food security

Economic development and urban revitalization

Government ethics and compliance

Health care workforce expansion

Notable Actions / Initiatives

Primary sponsor of A4052 (2026), legislation to eliminate certain practice restrictions for advanced practice nurses, allowing independent practice after completion of collaborative requirements; signed into law March 2026

Served as Chair of the Assembly Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee during the 2022–2023 legislative session

Authored legislation supporting urban redevelopment initiatives in Camden and Gloucester counties

Served as Ethics Liaison Officer for the South Jersey Transportation Authority, overseeing compliance and transparency programs

Participated in legislative efforts to expand workforce housing and economic opportunity in South Jersey

Education

B.S., Business Management, Rutgers University

M.B.A., Real Estate and Urban Land Studies, Temple University

Personal

Birth date: February 27, 1958

Residence: Camden, New Jersey