Burlington County State Senator Switches Parties

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ - Burlington County’s trend to the political left among its representatives continued with the unexpected defection of a longtime Republican this week.

State Sen. Dawn M. Addiego, who represents New Jersey’s eighth legislative district, announced her decision to become a Democrat this week.

“My core values that originally drew me to the Republican Party have not changed, but the party which once echoed the vision of Ronald Reagan no longer exists,” Addiego said in her announcement. “Oil drilling off our coast and tax policy which unfairly penalizes New Jersey families are just a few examples of a National Republican Party that has lost its way. After careful consideration, I have made the decision to change political affiliations.”

Addiego represents the Burlington County towns of Eastampton, Hainesport, Lumberton, Mansfield, Medford, Medford Lakes, Mount Holly, Pemberton Borough, Pemberton Township, Shamong, Southampton, Springfield, Westampton and Woodland. She also represents parts of Atlantic and Camden counties.

In her announcement, she said that it has become clear to her that you must be part of the discussion, and not “on the outside looking in” in order to effect change.

“The people of the 8th District did not elect me to be content in the role of loyal opposition,” Addiego said. “I have had the opportunity over the course of the last year to work closely with Senate President Sweeney on the Economic and Fiscal Policy Work Group. His tireless work ethic and unparalleled success at delivering for the people of NJ and particularly South Jersey is to be admired. I am utterly convinced, as he is, that New Jersey’s current fiscal mess cannot be fixed by putting our heads in the sand and pretending it does not exist.”

“I want to welcome Senator Addiego to the Democratic Caucus where I know she will be a strong voice for the policies and programs that will serve the best interests of her district and the State of New Jersey,” Sweeney said in a statement. “I am confident that she will make valued contributions to the work of the Democratic Majority and the success of the New Jersey Senate.”

He went on to call Addiego a “champion for labor issues, women’s rights, the environment and sound economic policies.”

Addiego has been a member of the State Senate since 2010. In 2018, she was the Deputy Republican Whip. She served in the General Assembly from 2008-10. During that term, she served as Assistant Republican Leader in 2010, and Assistant Republican Whip from 2008-09.

She becomes the 26th Democrat in the State Senate, and reduces the number of Republicans to 14.
Both of the state’s representatives in the U.S. Senate are Democrats, and 11 of the 12 representatives in Congress are Democrats. This includes Andy Kim, who unseated Rep. Tom MacArthur in the Third Congressional District in November.

In the county, Democrats seized a 4-1 majority on the Board of Chosen Freeholders and Democrat Joanne Schwartz won the Burlington County Clerk’s seat.

“We’re disappointed in Senator Addiego’s decision to leave the Senate Republican Caucus,” Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean said in a Twitter post. “To tie her decision to Congressional action is misguided. She knows NJ Republican legislators, particularly her Senate Republican colleagues, are working hard every day to create opportunities for every New Jerseyan.”

See related:
Democrats Capture Seats, Shift Power On Moorestown Council
Cinnaminson Democratic Party Grows

The attached image of Dawn Addiego courtesy the NJ Legislature’s website.