Yazminelly Gonzalez is a lifelong Trenton resident and educator who assumed office as an At-Large Councilwoman on February 10, 2023. She won election following a first-place finish in the November 2022 general election and subsequent victory in the January 24, 2023 runoff. In January 2025, she was unanimously voted to serve as Council President for the 2025 term, rotating out of the position in January 2026.
Gonzalez holds a Bachelor's degree in Special Education from the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore (2002) and works as a Special Needs Life Skills instructor at the Trenton 9th Grade Academy. Prior to her council service, she was Vice President of the Trenton United Family Foundation (TUFF) and remains active in multiple community organizations including the Puerto Rican Day Parade of Trenton and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
Political Career
• Member, Trenton City Council (At-Large) – February 2023 to present; term expires January 1, 2027
• Council President – January 2025 to January 2026
• Candidate, Trenton City Council At-Large – 2022 (elected)
• Vice President, Trenton United Family Foundation – Prior to 2022
Key Policy Areas
• Special education and disability services
• Urban revitalization and riverfront development
• Community partnerships and government transparency
• Housing and neighborhood stability
• Youth and education programming
Notable Actions / Initiatives
• Served as Council President for 2025, elected unanimously by colleagues
• Co-authored open letter with Mayor Reed Gusciora addressing City Hall operations and community unity (July 2025)
• Presented proclamations to Hedgepeth and Williams families at 80th anniversary celebration of the Hedgepeth-Williams desegregation decision (May 2024)
• Publicly supported Route 29 Boulevard Project for riverfront revitalization and reconnection (2025)
• Finished first among nine candidates in November 2022 general election for at-large seat
Education
• Trenton Central High School
• University of Maryland, Eastern Shore – B.S., Special Education (2002)
Personal
• Birth date: Not publicly available• Residence: Trenton, New Jersey
• Occupation: Special Needs Life Skills instructor, Trenton Board of Education
