Bonnie Watson Coleman (Democratic Party) is a member of the U.S. House, representing New Jersey's 12th Congressional District. She assumed office on January 3, 2015. Her current term ends on January 3, 2025.
Coleman (Democratic Party) is running for re-election to the U.S. House to represent New Jersey's 12th Congressional District. She declared candidacy for the 2024 election.
Coleman was first elected in 2014 to replace retiring incumbent Rush Holt Jr. (D), who had represented the district since 1998. Coleman defeated four opponents in the June 3 Democratic primary, receiving 43.0 percent of the vote to 27.8 percent for Linda Greenstein, her closest competitor. Coleman won the November general election with 61.0 percent of the vote.
Before being elected to Congress, Coleman was a Democratic member of the New Jersey General Assembly, representing District 15 since 1997. Coleman served as Assembly majority leader from 2006 to 2009 and was the majority conference leader in 2014. She was the first woman to chair the Democratic Party of New Jersey, holding the position from 2002 to 2006.
Prior to serving as an elected official, Coleman worked for the New Jersey state government, including stints in the Department of Community Affairs and the Department of Transportation.
Coleman was the first black woman elected to the House from New Jersey.
Coleman earned her B.A. from Thomas Edison State College in 1985. Her professional experience includes working as assistant commissioner for the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs in 1992, as bureau chief for the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs in 1980 and as director of the New Jersey Department of Transportation from 1974 to 1980.
