Politics & Government

Carmen Morales Of Belleville Kicks Off Term As NJ Assemblywoman

Carmen Morales (NJ-34) will represent Belleville, Bloomfield, East Orange, Glen Ridge, Nutley and Orange in the state Legislature.

Carmen Morales will represent the state’s 34th District in the Legislature, which includes the municipalities of Belleville, Bloomfield, East Orange, Glen Ridge, Nutley and Orange.
Carmen Morales will represent the state’s 34th District in the Legislature, which includes the municipalities of Belleville, Bloomfield, East Orange, Glen Ridge, Nutley and Orange. (Photo: NJ Assembly Democrats)

BELLEVILLE, NJ — A Belleville resident has officially kicked off her term as a New Jersey Assembly member.

Carmen Morales will represent the state’s 34th District in the Legislature, which includes the municipalities of Belleville, Bloomfield, East Orange, Glen Ridge, Nutley and Orange.

Morales emerged victorious in the 2023 Assembly race alongside her fellow Democrat, former Bloomfield Mayor Michael Venezia, who also won a seat in the 34th District.

Find out what's happening in Belleville-Nutleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Morales – who lives in Belleville – served as principal for Essex County Newark Tech High School. Currently, she is serving as the director of curriculum and instruction for the Essex County Schools of Technology. Additionally, she helped to launch several school-based and district-wide education programs aimed at advancing education for children in Essex County. She is also a member of the board of trustees for Essex County College.

A lifelong New Jerseyan, Morales earned her bachelor of arts degree in speech communications at Montclair State University, her master’s degree in administrative science from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and her educational specialist degree from Seton Hall University, where she is currently a doctoral candidate in the Education Leadership, Management and Policy program.

Find out what's happening in Belleville-Nutleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

She was sworn in as a state assemblywoman earlier this week.

“I am honored to represent the people of Essex County and Legislative District 34,” Morales said. “As an educational professional with over 20 years of experience, I have witnessed the transformative power of education first-hand and understand what students and their families need from their representatives. As an assemblywoman, I plan to represent them and their needs.”

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site. Don’t forget to visit the Patch Belleville-Nutley Facebook page.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.