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NORTH AmERIcAN Newsline SEPTEMBER 10, 2021 | The Indian Eye 30

assemblyman Sterley Stanley, first South asian from

middlesex county, joins new Jersey General assembly

aJay GhOSh

New Jersey

ew Jersey’s Asian pop-
ulation has experienced
Nremarkable growth with-
in the last decade. According
to census data released earlier
this month, about 1.05 million
New Jersey residents, slightly
more than 11% of the state’s
population, identified as either
partially or entirely Asian. This
striking 44% increase from the
725,726 who identified as Asian
in the 2010 census prompts the
question of whether the state
government has changed to re-
flect new demographics. In fact,
Asian candidates would need to
win seven more seats in the As- Stanley serves as a member of During his time as Council-
sembly and two or three more in the Assembly Committee On man, Stanley’s efforts to help es-
the Senate for their representa- Law And Public Safety and as a tablish a redevelopment agency
tion to align with the state’s de- member of the Assembly Com- were well received by the public.
mographics. mittee On Health. Through town halls and other
Nonetheless, there are those “I am honored to serve the outreach efforts, he has always
in the state government already residents of the 18th district and encouraged residents to active-
leading the way to greater rep- eager to roll up my sleeves to ly participate in the process and
resentation. Most recently, As- address the needs of our won- prioritized working with them.
semblyman Sterley Stanley derful, diverse district and state,” In another collaborative initia-
(D-Middlesex) joined State Sen. Stanley said in a statement after tive, he worked with the East
Vin Gopal (D-Monmouth) and being sworn in as an Assembly- Brunswick Police Department
Assemblyman Raj Mukherji man. “The events of the past to strengthen dialogue around
(D-Hudson) as the third Indian year have shown us the danger includes Helmetta, Highland cultural diversity within the
American to be elected to the of divisive forces, but they have Park, Metuchen, South Plain- community. Stanley is gener-
state legislature. also shown us the strength and field And South River – all Mid- ally committed to “establishing
Stanley won his 18th District necessity of collaboration. Truly dlesex municipalities. open lines of communication”
Assembly seat in a Special Elec- listening to one another will al- Stanley was born in the and to strengthening the rela-
tion in January 2021, becoming low us to better understand the State of Karnataka, India and tionships between state legis-
the first South Asian to repre- issues and each other and to de- immigrated to Brooklyn, NY lators and each town’s admin-
sent Middlesex County in the velop and implement nuanced, at a young age. For the last istration, municipal chairs and
New Jersey Legislature. Stan- detailed solutions that reflect 21 years, he has called East committee persons. He intends
ley defeated fellow Democrat, every community’s situation.” Brunswick his home. While liv- to “always be available to listen
Edison Councilman Joe Coyle Stanley won the Democratic ing there, he has worked in the to their issues and provide sup-
by a vote of 189-136, a 58%- primary this past June and will finance industry as a title and port,” hoping to “work at the
42% margin, according to the run in the general election in life insurance agent, as well as state level to promote trans-
Middlesex County Democratic November 2021 for a full two- a mortgage broker. Stanley is a parency and community en-
Organization. The seat became year term. The 18th District has proud father of three children gagement.”
vacant when former Assembly- the highest percentage of Asian and has been actively involved “The issues we confront are
woman Nancy Pinkin resigned Americans of any legislative dis- in the Middlesex County com- not simple, but I deeply believe
after being sworn in as the new trict in the state, and Middle- munity, previously serving as that they are not insurmount-
Middlesex County Clerk. sex, Stanley’s home county, has a Trustee of the Lighthouse able if we understand their com-
Endorsed by the Middlesex the largest Asian population in Christian Fellowship Church plexity and commit to respecting
County Democratic Organiza- the state, at 237,945 residents. in East Brunswick and as Pres- the perspectives that our fellow
tion, Assemblyman Stanley was In addition to East Brunswick ident of the Fox Meadow Con- community members and lead-
sworn in on January 27th, 2021. and Edison, the 18th District dominium Association. ers bring to the table.”

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