Longtime Democratic Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman of New Jersey announced she will not seek reelection next year, saying it is “time to pass the torch.” The 80-year-old lawmaker has represented New Jersey’s 12th District since 2015, becoming the first Black woman from the state to serve in the House of Representatives.
Before Congress, Watson Coleman held a leadership role in the state Assembly and chaired the New Jersey Democratic Party. She cited careful reflection and discussions with her family as key to her decision. “I am confident it is the right choice for me and my family,” she said.
A leader of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Watson Coleman highlighted her efforts in building an inclusive economy, reforming the criminal justice system, promoting health equity, and fighting poverty. She also urged lawmakers to advocate for a two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to protect democracy.
Earlier this year, Watson Coleman joined Reps. Rob Menendez and LaMonica McIver in a high-profile visit to an immigrant detention facility in Newark. The visit led to clashes with federal law enforcement. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was briefly arrested on trespassing charges that were later dropped, and McIver faces an assault trial, which has been delayed.
New Jersey’s 12th District is considered a safe Democratic seat, covering parts of Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset, and Union counties. Before Watson Coleman’s retirement announcement, Kyle Little, a local fitness studio owner, was the only Democratic candidate to file for the seat. Little has raised just over $10,000 for his campaign.
Following the announcement, Somerset County Commissioner Director Shanel Y. Robinson and East Brunswick Mayor Brad Cohen declared their candidacy for the seat. Other potential candidates include state Sen. Andrew Zwicker, Assemblymember Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami Covello, and Mercer County Commissioner Sam Frisby. Zwicker previously worked at Princeton University’s Plasma Physics Laboratory and ran unsuccessfully for the district in 2014.
Watson Coleman expressed hope that her successor will serve with strong moral principles and advocate passionately for constituents. “I hope we will see representatives who, in the words of my dear former colleague Congressman John Lewis, stand ready to, ‘Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America,’” she said.
Her retirement marks the end of a long and trailblazing career in public service, leaving a legacy of progressive leadership and dedication to social justice.
