Former Glen Ridge Councilwoman Takes Assembly Seat In NJ-28

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Jacqueline Yustein took the oath of office on Thursday as the latest state Assembly member in New Jersey’s 28th Legislative District.

Yustein joins fellow Assembly member Cleopatra Tucker in the 28th District, which includes Irvington, Maplewood, Newark and South Orange in Essex County, and Hillside in Union County. Renee Burgess represents the district in the state Senate.

Yustein was elected in a special election held in April. She will fill the seat vacated when Assemblyman Ralph Caputo resigned.

Yustein currently serves as an Essex County Democratic Municipal Chair, and is a former director of the Essex County Division of Community Health Services. She also serves as a board member of the Essex County Improvement Authority.

“We are excited to welcome Jackie to the Assembly,” Speaker Craig Coughlin said. “I know she will be a valuable addition to the Democratic Caucus as she serves Essex County residents in her new role.”

According to a statement from the New Jersey Assembly Democrats:

“Before joining the General Assembly, Yustein served as a councilwoman in Glen Ridge, where she addressed infrastructure issues and worked to improve parks and recreation. She has been involved in Essex County politics since the 1970s. A member of the party’s progressive wing over the last five decades, she worked on Frank Lautenberg’s first race for the U.S. Senate in 1982. She has also served as a trustee for the Glen Ridge Democratic Club and has been a member of the Glen Ridge Kiwanis Club.”

Yustein attended Ohio State University, where she graduated with a BA in English Literature with a minor in Journalism. She has lived in Glen Ridge for 49 years.

“I am honored to serve New Jersey’s 28th Legislative District and am grateful to be entrusted with this responsibility,” Yustein said. “I have devoted decades of my life to Democratic causes and believe that community activism is very important.”

“While serving in the Assembly, I look forward to working on issues that are priorities for the caucus, such as working to eliminate food insecurity,” Yustein added.

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