Raj Mukherji, the only Indian American lawmaker in the New Jersey General Assembly, has been appointed as the House Majority Whip for the 218th legislative session.
The appointment was announced by Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin on January 12. Mukherji is the first Indian American and Asian American to be appointed to this position.
“I am confident, based on his zealous advocacy for progressive priorities of the Budget Committee and his personality, that Raj is the right guy to count the votes and help achieve consensus within our caucus,” Coughlin said in a press release. “Even with his professional success, Raj never forgot his humble roots, and he is well-liked and widely respected by his peers in the legislature. His support in the caucus will be invaluable as we tackle challenging issues and a comprehensive agenda.”
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Son of immigrant two parents, Mukherji supported himself through high school, college, and grad school as an emancipated minor when economic circumstances forced his parents to return to their native India.
Mukherji, 33, represents the 33rd Legislative District. He is a prosecutor, healthcare entrepreneur, businessman and a former Deputy Mayor of Jersey City. He is the partner of a law firm named Mukherji Wolf LLC in the Jersey City. At the age of 24, he was appointed as Commissioner and Chairman of the Jersey City Housing Authority and at 27 he became the Deputy Mayor of Jersey City, New Jersey.
Mukherji received his bachelor’s degree from Thomas Edison State University, an individualized Master of Liberal Arts focused on national security from the University of Pennsylvania and a Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Seton Hall Law School.
“I am humbled by Speaker Coughlin’s trust and confidence in me, and I look forward to helping him deliver on an agenda that seeks to grow our economy, boost the middle class, and improve the quality of life for all New Jerseyans,” said Mukherji.
Apart from Mukherji, Vin Gopal is another Indian American in the New Jersey government. He is a Democratic Party leader and he was elected in last November.