# New Jersey's 35th legislative district

New Jersey's 35th legislative district is one of 40 districts that make up the map for the New Jersey Legislature. It encompasses the Bergen County municipalities of Elmwood Park and Garfield and the Passaic County municipalities of Haledon, North Haledon, Paterson, and Prospect Park.

## Demographic information

As of the 2020 United States census, the district had a population of 238,160, of whom 179,831 (75.5%) were of voting age. The racial makeup of the district was 64,563 (27.1%) White, 46,103 (19.4%) African American, 2,962 (1.2%) Native American, 12,901 (5.4%) Asian, 96 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 79,289 (33.3%) from some other race, and 32,246 (13.5%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 126,899 (53.3%) of the population.
The district had 132,960 registered voters as of December 1, 2023, of whom 62,260 (46.8%) were registered as Democrats, 51,875 (39.0%) were registered as unaffiliated, 16,560 (12.5%) were registered as Republicans, and 2,265 (1.7%) were registered to other parties.

## Political representation

For the 2024-2025 session, the 35th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the General Assembly by Shavonda E. Sumter (D, Paterson) and Al Abdelaziz (D, Paterson). The 35th district is represented by Benjie Wimberly (D, Paterson) in the State Senate.
The legislative district is located entirely within New Jersey's 9th congressional district congressional district.

## Apportionment history

The 35th district has been based around Paterson since its creation in 1973. The 1973 through 1981 version of the district included Paterson, Prospect Park, Hawthorne, and North Haledon. A slight shift in the district occurred in the 1981 redistricting when North Haledon was removed, and Haledon and Elmwood Park were added. West Paterson was added and North Haledon was re-added to the district in the 1991 redistricting. In the 2001 redistricting, West Paterson swapped places with Totowa and Bergen County borough Glen Rock was added.

## Election history

| Session | Senate | General Assembly | General Assembly |
| 1974–1975 | Frank Davenport (R) | Vincent O. Pellecchia (D) | William H. Hicks (D) |
| 1976–1977 | Frank Davenport (R) | Vincent O. Pellecchia (D) | Ronald Fava (R) |
| 1978–1979 | Frank X. Graves Jr. (D) | Vincent O. Pellecchia (D) | John Girgenti (D) |
| 1980–1981 | Frank X. Graves Jr. (D) | Vincent O. Pellecchia (D) | John Girgenti (D) |
| 1982–1983 | Frank X. Graves Jr. (D) | Vincent O. Pellecchia (D) | John Girgenti (D) |
| 1984–1985 | Frank X. Graves Jr. (D) | Vincent O. Pellecchia (D) | John Girgenti (D) |
| 1986–1987 | Frank X. Graves Jr. (D) | Vincent O. Pellecchia (D) | John Girgenti (D) |
| 1988–1989 | Frank X. Graves Jr. (D) | Bill Pascrell (D) | John Girgenti (D) |
| 1990–1991 | Frank X. Graves Jr. (D) | Bill Pascrell (D) | John Girgenti (D) |
| 1990–1991 | John Girgenti (D) | Bill Pascrell (D) | Cyril Yannarelli (D) |
| 1990–1991 | John Girgenti (D) | Bill Pascrell (D) | Frank Catania (R) |
| 1992–1993 | John Girgenti (D) | Bill Pascrell (D) | Frank Catania (R) |
| 1994–1995 | John Girgenti (D) | Bill Pascrell (D) | Frank Catania (R) |
| 1994–1995 | John Girgenti (D) | Bill Pascrell (D) | Donald Hayden (R) |
| 1996–1997 | John Girgenti (D) | Bill Pascrell (D) | Alfred E. Steele (D) |
| 1996–1997 | John Girgenti (D) | Nellie Pou (D) | Alfred E. Steele (D) |
| 1998–1999 | John Girgenti (D) | Nellie Pou (D) | Alfred E. Steele (D) |
| 2000–2001 | John Girgenti (D) | Nellie Pou (D) | Alfred E. Steele (D) |
| 2002–2003 | John Girgenti (D) | Nellie Pou (D) | Alfred E. Steele (D) |
| 2004–2005 | John Girgenti (D) | Nellie Pou (D) | Alfred E. Steele (D) |
| 2006–2007 | John Girgenti (D) | Nellie Pou (D) | Alfred E. Steele (D) |
| 2006–2007 | John Girgenti (D) | Nellie Pou (D) | Elease Evans (D) |
| 2008–2009 | John Girgenti (D) | Nellie Pou (D) | Elease Evans (D) |
| 2010–2011 | John Girgenti (D) | Nellie Pou (D) | Elease Evans (D) |
| 2012–2013 | Nellie Pou (D) | Benjie E. Wimberly (D) | Shavonda E. Sumter (D) |
| 2014–2015 | Nellie Pou (D) | Benjie E. Wimberly (D) | Shavonda E. Sumter (D) |
| 2016–2017 | Nellie Pou (D) | Benjie E. Wimberly (D) | Shavonda E. Sumter (D) |
| 2018–2019 | Nellie Pou (D) | Benjie E. Wimberly (D) | Shavonda E. Sumter (D) |
| 2020–2021 | Nellie Pou (D) | Benjie E. Wimberly (D) | Shavonda E. Sumter (D) |
| 2022–2023 | Nellie Pou (D) | Benjie E. Wimberly (D) | Shavonda E. Sumter (D) |
| 2024–2025 | Nellie Pou (D) | Benjie E. Wimberly (D) | Shavonda E. Sumter (D) |
* ↑ Died March 4, 1990
* 1 2 Appointed to the Senate on April 5, 1990, elected to remainder of unexpired term in November 1990
* ↑ Appointed to the Assembly on May 17, 1990, defeated in November 1990 special election
* ↑ Elected November 1990 special election and sworn into the Assembly shortly thereafter
* ↑ Resigned on September 23, 1994 to become director of Division of Gaming Enforcement
* ↑ Appointed to the Assembly in 1994
* ↑ Resigned on January 3, 1997 after being elected to Congress
* ↑ Appointed to the Assembly on January 29, 1997
* ↑ Resigned on September 10, 2007
* ↑ Appointed to the Assembly on November 9, 2007

## Election results
### Senate

2021 New Jersey general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Nelida Pou | 20,464 | 68.6 | 10.4 |
| | Republican | Kenneth Pengitore | 9,372 | 31.4 | 10.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 29,836 | 100.0 | |
New Jersey general election, 2017 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Nelida Pou | 21,425 | 79.0 | 4.9 |
| | Republican | Marwan Sholakh | 5,698 | 21.0 | 4.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 27,123 | 100.0 | |
New Jersey general election, 2013 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Nellie Pou | 22,154 | 74.1 | 0.6 |
| | Republican | Lynda Gallashaw | 7,737 | 25.9 | 0.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 29,891 | 100.0 | |
2011 New Jersey general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Nellie Pou | 14,386 | 74.7 |
| | Republican | Ken Pengitore | 4,867 | 25.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 19,253 | 100.0 |
2007 New Jersey general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | John A. Girgenti | 14,265 | 100.0 | 31.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 14,265 | 100.0 | |
2003 New Jersey general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | John A. Girgenti | 16,243 | 68.6 | 31.4 |
| | Republican | David R. Troast | 7,434 | 31.4 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 23,677 | 100.0 | |
2001 New Jersey general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | John A. Girgenti | 25,844 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 25,844 | 100.0 |
1997 New Jersey general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | John A. Girgenti | 24,552 | 69.8 | 3.3 |
| | Republican | Brian A. Duncan | 10,644 | 30.2 | 1.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 35,196 | 100.0 | |
1993 New Jersey general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | John A. Girgenti | 21,836 | 66.5 | 13.3 |
| | Republican | Beltran Lopez | 10,550 | 32.1 | 14.7 |
| | Independent | Vijay “Viji” Sargis | 442 | 1.3 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 32,828 | 100.0 | |
1991 New Jersey general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | John A. Girgenti | 15,859 | 53.2 |
| | Republican | Lawrence (Pat) Kramer | 13,965 | 46.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 29,824 | 100.0 |
Special election, 1990 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | John A. Girgenti | 15,454 | 100.0 | 0.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 15,454 | 100.0 | |
1987 New Jersey general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Frank X. Graves Jr. | 21,793 | 100.0 | 25.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 21,793 | 100.0 | |
1983 New Jersey general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Frank X. Graves Jr. | 23,646 | 74.3 | 0.3 |
| | Republican | Richard Fontanella | 8,161 | 25.7 | 0.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 31,807 | 100.0 | |
1981 New Jersey general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Frank X. Graves Jr. | 28,439 | 74.6 |
| | Republican | Frank E. Gorman | 9,693 | 25.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 38,132 | 100.0 |
1977 New Jersey general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Frank X. Graves Jr. | 17,005 | 56.2 | 6.3 |
| | Republican | Alfred Fontanella | 12,193 | 40.3 | 9.8 |
| | Tax Revolt Independent | Joseph S. Long | 547 | 1.8 | N/A |
| | Independent Progressive Conservative | Roy L. Ward | 500 | 1.7 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 30,245 | 100.0 | |
1973 New Jersey general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Frank Davenport | 16,919 | 50.14 |
| | Democratic | Joseph A. Lazzara | 16,826 | 49.86 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 33,745 | 100.0 |

### General Assembly

2021 New Jersey general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Benjie E. Wimberly | 20,276 | 34.6 | 8.9 |
| | Democratic | Shavonda Sumter | 20,235 | 34.5 | 8.9 |
| | Republican | Ramzy Yamisha | 9,166 | 15.6 | 2.5 |
| | Republican | Iman Majagah | 8,990 | 15.3 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 58,667 | 100.0 | |
2019 New Jersey general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Benjie E. Wimberly | 14,089 | 43.5 | 3.5 |
| | Democratic | Shavonda E. Sumter | 14,033 | 43.4 | 3.6 |
| | Republican | Tamer Mamkej | 4,241 | 13.1 | 2.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 32,363 | 100.0 | |
New Jersey general election, 2017 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Benjie E. Wimberly | 21,406 | 40.0 | 3.6 |
| | Democratic | Shavonda E. Sumter | 21,275 | 39.8 | 3.4 |
| | Republican | Ibrahim Mahmoud | 5,435 | 10.2 | 3.6 |
| | Republican | Nihad Younes | 5,366 | 10.0 | 3.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 53,482 | 100.0 | |
New Jersey general election, 2015 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Benjie E. Wimberly | 11,905 | 36.4 | 0.3 |
| | Democratic | Shavonda E. Sumter | 11,904 | 36.4 | 0.4 |
| | Republican | David Jimenez | 4,522 | 13.8 | 0.0 |
| | Republican | Ilia Villanueva | 4,333 | 13.3 | 0.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 32,664 | 100.0 | |
New Jersey general election, 2013 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Benjie E. Wimberly | 21,195 | 36.7 | 0.1 |
| | Democratic | Shavonda E. Sumter | 20,791 | 36.0 | 0.3 |
| | Republican | Rhina Tavarez | 7,968 | 13.8 | 0.1 |
| | Republican | Maria del Pilar Rivas | 7,828 | 13.5 | 0.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 57,782 | 100.0 | |
New Jersey general election, 2011 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Benjie E. Wimberly | 13,551 | 36.8 |
| | Democratic | Shavonda E. Sumter | 13,143 | 35.7 |
| | Republican | Donna Puglisi | 5,114 | 13.9 |
| | Republican | William A. Connolly | 5,020 | 13.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 36,828 | 100.0 |
New Jersey general election, 2009 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Nellie Pou | 22,148 | 32.4 | 6.5 |
| | Democratic | Elease Evans | 21,637 | 31.7 | 7.1 |
| | Republican | Lynn Anne Shortway | 12,488 | 18.3 | 3.9 |
| | Republican | George Sawey | 11,993 | 17.6 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 68,266 | 100.0 | |
New Jersey general election, 2007 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Nellie Pou | 11,784 | 38.9 | 4.6 |
| | Democratic | Elease Evans | 11,749 | 38.8 | 4.0 |
| | Republican | Chauncey I. Brown III | 6,730 | 22.2 | 6.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 30,263 | 100.0 | |
New Jersey general election, 2005 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Alfred Steele | 23,747 | 34.8 | 2.0 |
| | Democratic | Nellie Pou | 23,372 | 34.3 | 2.4 |
| | Republican | Deborah Shortway | 10,477 | 15.4 | 2.7 |
| | Republican | Rinaldo M. D'Argenio | 10,397 | 15.2 | 2.0 |
| | Libertarian | Louis R. Jasikoff | 191 | 0.3 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 68,184 | 100.0 | |
New Jersey general election, 2003 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Alfred Steele | 14,658 | 32.8 | 18.4 |
| | Democratic | Nellie Pou | 14,299 | 31.9 | 16.9 |
| | Republican | Kenneth N. Del Vecchio Jr | 8,120 | 18.1 | N/A |
| | Republican | Thomas F.X. Magura | 7,680 | 17.2 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 44,757 | 100.0 | |
New Jersey general election, 2001 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Alfred E. Steele | 24,880 | 51.2 |
| | Democratic | Nellie Pou | 23,728 | 48.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 48,608 | 100.0 |
New Jersey general election, 1999 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Alfred Steele | 14,223 | 33.4 | 2.2 |
| | Democratic | Nellie Pou | 13,902 | 32.6 | 3.0 |
| | Republican | William A. DeStefano | 7,424 | 17.4 | 2.4 |
| | Republican | Belinda A. Lanier | 7,032 | 16.5 | 2.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 42,581 | 100.0 | |
New Jersey general election, 1997 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Alfred Steele | 23,253 | 31.2 | 4.6 |
| | Democratic | Nellie Pou | 22,112 | 29.6 | 3.7 |
| | Republican | Karole A. Graves | 14,785 | 19.8 | 1.8 |
| | Republican | Frank Catania, Jr. | 14,465 | 19.4 | 0.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 74,615 | 100.0 | |
New Jersey general election, 1995 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | William J. Pascrell, Jr. | 17,400 | 33.3 | 1.9 |
| | Democratic | Rev. Alfred E. Steele | 13,868 | 26.6 | 3.8 |
| | Republican | Donald Hayden | 11,267 | 21.6 | 3.9 |
| | Republican | Dennis Gonzalez | 9,685 | 18.5 | 2.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 52,220 | 100.0 | |
New Jersey general election, 1993 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | William J. Pascrell, Jr. | 21,698 | 31.4 | 2.6 |
| | Republican | Frank Catania | 17,657 | 25.5 | 0.8 |
| | Democratic | Alfred Steele | 15,745 | 22.8 | 0.8 |
| | Republican | Harvey Nutter | 10,999 | 15.9 | 7.0 |
| | Unified Independents | Anna N. Taliaferro | 1,568 | 2.3 | N/A |
| | Time for Change | James A. Davis, Jr. | 1,531 | 2.2 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 69,198 | 100.0 | |
1991 New Jersey general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | William J. Pascrell, Jr. | 17,394 | 28.8 |
| | Republican | Frank Catania | 14,894 | 24.7 |
| | Democratic | Eli M. Burgos | 14,266 | 23.6 |
| | Republican | Martin G. Barnes | 13,848 | 22.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 60,402 | 100.0 |
Special election, 1990 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Frank Catania | 13,591 | 56.1 |
| | Democratic | Cyril R. Yannarelli | 10,633 | 43.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 24,224 | 100.0 |
1989 New Jersey general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | John A. Girgenti | 24,359 | 37.0 | 1.4 |
| | Democratic | William J. Pascrell, Jr. | 23,633 | 35.9 | 1.6 |
| | Republican | Joaquin Calcines, Jr. | 9,093 | 13.8 | 2.8 |
| | Republican | Jose L. Moore | 8,707 | 13.2 | 0.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 65,792 | 100.0 | |
1987 New Jersey general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | John A. Girgenti | 18,345 | 35.6 | 5.4 |
| | Democratic | William J. Pascrell, Jr. | 17,670 | 34.3 | 8.0 |
| | Republican | Martin G. Barnes | 8,546 | 16.6 | 5.3 |
| | Republican | Robert Angele | 6,955 | 13.5 | 8.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 51,516 | 100.0 | |
1985 New Jersey general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | John A. Girgenti | 18,634 | 30.2 | 7.4 |
| | Democratic | Vincent O. Pellecchia | 16,204 | 26.3 | 8.8 |
| | Republican | Walter W. Porter, Jr. | 13,538 | 21.9 | 8.0 |
| | Republican | Kenneth Van Rye | 13,352 | 21.6 | 8.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 61,728 | 100.0 | |
New Jersey general election, 1983 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | John A. Girgenti | 21,927 | 37.6 | 2.7 |
| | Democratic | Vincent O. Pellecchia | 20,497 | 35.1 | 2.6 |
| | Republican | Walter W. Garner III | 8,088 | 13.9 | 3.4 |
| | Republican | Norman E. Smith | 7,804 | 13.4 | 1.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 58,316 | 100.0 | |
New Jersey general election, 1981 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | John A. Girgenti | 25,361 | 34.9 |
| | Democratic | Vincent O. Pellecchia | 23,575 | 32.5 |
| | Republican | Fred Burgos | 12,580 | 17.3 |
| | Republican | Russell P. Meneve | 11,087 | 15.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 72,603 | 100.0 |
New Jersey general election, 1979 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | John A. Girgenti | 12,763 | 30.2 | 3.7 |
| | Democratic | Vincent O. Pellecchia | 11,595 | 27.4 | 0.6 |
| | Republican | Fred Burgos | 9,051 | 21.4 | 3.3 |
| | Republican | Frank S. Campana | 8,433 | 19.9 | 0.9 |
| | Socialist Labor | Madonna Rabel | 446 | 1.1 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 42,288 | 100.0 | |
New Jersey general election, 1977 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Vincent O. Pellecchia | 15,616 | 28.0 | 3.8 |
| | Democratic | John A. Girgenti | 14,774 | 26.5 | 6.7 |
| | Republican | Ronald Fava | 13,768 | 24.7 | 3.3 |
| | Republican | Henry Ramer | 11,624 | 20.8 | 1.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 55,782 | 100.0 | |
New Jersey general election, 1975 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Ronald Fava | 14,676 | 28.0 | 5.4 |
| | Democratic | Vincent O. Pellecchia | 12,686 | 24.2 | 3.7 |
| | Republican | Ralph E. Fasse | 11,411 | 21.8 | 0.5 |
| | Democratic | William H. Hicks | 10,386 | 19.8 | 7.4 |
| | Tax Revolt | Joseph Samuel Long | 1,937 | 3.7 | N/A |
| | Tax Revolt | Enrico R. Orlando | 1,329 | 2.5 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 52,425 | 100.0 | |
New Jersey general election, 1973 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Vincent O. Pellecchia | 17,548 | 27.9 |
| | Democratic | William H. Hicks | 17,144 | 27.2 |
| | Republican | Alfred Fontanella | 14,238 | 22.6 |
| | Republican | Marian M. Rauschenbach | 14,049 | 22.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 62,979 | 100.0 |