See who made the list…
Kim Guadagno. As the Lieutenant Governor, Guadagno is technically the second most powerful person in New Jersey’s state government after Governor Chris Christie. Now, with Christie charging headfirst into his presidential campaign, Guadagno finds herself as acting governor more and more often. She is expected to seek the Republican nomination for governor in 2017.
Loretta Weinberg (D-37). The Senate Majority leader has served on the state senate for ten years and had been majority leader since 2012. As the lead of the Democrats in the senate, she is a key player in New Jersey’s legislative process and a statewide leader of progressive causes.
Teresa Ruiz (D-29). Ruiz is widely considered a favorite for either LG in the aftermath of Guadagno or the senate presidency following current president Steve Sweeney’s impending gubernatorial run. As the senator from district 29, Ruiz represents one of New Jersey’s most important cities: Newark. She is currently an assistant majority leader.
Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-12). Watson Coleman is New Jersey’s only currently serving female congressperson. She is the first black woman to win a congressional seat in the state.
Nia Gill (D-20). The Senate President Pro Tempore is a trained attorney whose legal experience gives her a strong foundation to defend issues she feels important. Most recently, Gill has been a strong advocate of the Democracy Act, putting pressure on Governor Christie.
Shavonda Sumter (D-35). Sumter represents Paterson in the N.J. state senate as the majority conference leader. Close to her actual godfather, Democratic State Party Chairman John Currie.
Dana Redd. The Mayor of Camden is making strides towards cleaning up the South Jersey wharf town, reducing crime and improving education. She was elected in 2010 after a stint in the state senate.
Diane Allen (R-7). Allen is the second-highest ranking Republican in the N.J. Senate where she serves as the deputy minority leader.