Essex County Home To 'Most Popular, Prolific' Lawmakers: Reports

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The “most popular” member of the U.S. House Of Representatives and the “most prolific” lawmaker in the New Jersey Legislature are both based in Essex County, reports say.

Earlier this week, U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr., a Newark native, was rated as New Jersey’s most popular member of the U.S. House of Representatives in a study done by 24/7 Wall Street.

Payne represents the state's 10th Congressional District, which includes the following towns in Essex, Hudson and Union County: Bloomfield, East Orange, Glen Ridge, Irvington, Maplewood, Montclair, Newark, Orange, South Orange, West Orange, Bayonne, Jersey City, Hillside, Linden, Rahway, Roselle, Roselle Park, and Union Township.

The study reviewed approval ratings and election results for senators and representatives from all 50 states to determine the “most popular” and “least popular” elected officials. Read the full report and see its methodology.

Payne said he was delighted to hear about the results.

“I really want to thank the great people of New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District for this honor,” Payne said. “They’re the ones who elect me and inspire me to fight to better their lives every day. I’m proud of the work we’ve been doing together to benefit the district.”

• See related article: Rep. Payne 'Deeply Troubled' By Anti-Terrorism Budget Cuts
• See related article: Rep. Payne Of NJ Has Personal Link To Drug Costs Bill: Diabetes
• See related article: Rep. Payne Praises $3M For Low-Income Housing In NJ

‘MOST PROLIFIC LAWMAKER’

Meanwhile, a state senator who represents Belleville and Newark was recently named as the “most prolific” lawmaker in New Jersey.

Sen. M. Teresa Ruiz of the 29th District had 116 bills signed into law over the just-finished two-year legislative session. It was more than any of the other 119 members of the state Senate and Assembly, Politico reported. (Read the full article)

Ruiz offered praise for the state’s second-most prolific lawmakers, Sen. Troy Singleton of the 7th District and Assemblyman Raj Mukherji of the 33rd District, who each had 112 bills signed into law.

“I’m just proud that it’s coming from three individuals who, in our own ways, probably broke the mold in what people are thinking about what a legislator should look like,” Ruiz told Politico.

Ruiz became the first Latina to serve in the New Jersey Senate in 2008. She became the first Latina president pro tempore of the Senate in 2018.

• See related article: Essex County Senator Makes History In NJ (Again)
• See related article: Sen. Ruiz Praises $892K Boost To Belleville Preschool Program
• See related article: Sen. Ruiz Wants Free Menstrual Products In NJ Schools

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