Back to CLB Partners Blog

Contacting Your New Jersey Elected Officials

New Jersey residents have elected officials representing them at every level of government. New Jerseyans can email, call, or write to their elected officials for many reasons, such as to express support or opposition to legislation, invite them to an event, or to get help with a government agency.

CLB Partners is a vital link between you and the government and can make sure your voice is heard by the most influential policymakers in New Jersey.

New Jersey Federal Elected Officials

New Jersey is represented by two senators in the United States Senate and 12 representatives in the United States House of Representatives.

Elected officials at the federal level are responsible for passing laws, making policy decisions, and overseeing the functioning of the federal government. They work to address the needs and concerns of their constituents by advocating for specific issues, securing federal funding for projects in their districts, and providing assistance with federal agencies.

New Jerseyans can contact their federal officials to discuss legislation or issues at the federal level or even to get help with a federal agency. US Senators and Representatives can also help with other things, such as:

• Assistance with a federal agency (Immigration, Social Security, Medicare, etc.)
• Tours of the United States Capitol Building and the White House
• Internships for high school and college students
• Nominations to a military academy
• Flag requests

Your New Jersey US Representative

In addition to two Senators, each state also elects representatives to serve two-year terms in the United States House of Representatives. The number of representatives in Congress is limited to 435 and is divided across the states based on population. The census, taken every ten years, determines how many of those 435 representatives each state has.

Currently, there are 12 members of the House of Representatives that serve New Jersey; however, constituents are encouraged to contact the representative of their area, otherwise known as a congressional district.

• New Jersey Congressional District 1: Donald Norcross (D)
• New Jersey Congressional District 2: Jefferson Van Drew (R)
• New Jersey Congressional District 3: Andy Kim (D)
• New Jersey Congressional District 4: Christopher “Chris” Smith (R)
• New Jersey Congressional District 5: Josh Gottheimer (D)
• New Jersey Congressional District 6: Frank Pallone (D)
• New Jersey Congressional District 7: Thomas Kean (R)
• New Jersey Congressional District 8: Robert Jacobsen Menendez (D)
• New Jersey Congressional District 9: Bill Pascrell (D)
• New Jersey Congressional District 10: Donald Payne Jr. (D)
• New Jersey Congressional District 11: Mikie Sherrill (D)
• New Jersey Congressional District 12: Bonnie Watson Coleman (D)

If you don’t know your congressional district or who your member is, you can find out by clicking here. Once you enter your zip code, the system will connect you to your member's profile, website, and contact page.

New Jersey State Legislators

The New Jersey State Legislature consists of two Houses: a 40-member Senate and an 80-member General Assembly. New Jerseyans can contact their New Jersey State Legislators for help with state matters just like they would contact their federal officials for assistance with federal matters.

Specifically, you can contact your State Senator or Assemblymember for a number of things, such as assistance with a state agency, to express support or opposition to legislation at the state level, or to invite your elected official to an event.

Contact Your New Jersey State Legislator

If you don’t know who your State Senator or Assemblymember is, you can find out by clicking here. The website provides a search tool that allows you to look up your legislator by district or municipality.

Tips for contacting elected officials

Contacting an elected official is a great way for individuals to engage with the democratic process and have their voices heard. To help make your efforts more successful – we have compiled some tips on communicating with your elected official.

Be clear and concise

State your purpose directly and succinctly. Clearly outline the issue or topic you're addressing, making your main points early in your communication. If you’re writing to express support or opposition to legislation, include the bill name and number. If you are a constituent, make sure to mention that. Remember, brief, concise and to the point letters are best as legislators and staff have many correspondences to review.

Personalize your message

While many organizations can provide you with a pre-written letter that you sign, many legislators still consider a thoughtful, original letter from a constituent worth 1000 of the pre-written letters. Feel free to use a pre-written letter as a base and expand on it with your own words. Explain how the issue affects you or your community personally. Stories or specific examples can make your message more compelling and relatable.

Be respectful and professional

Maintain a polite and respectful tone, even if you disagree with the official's stance. Professionalism increases the likelihood of your message being taken seriously.

Offer solutions

If possible, offer potential solutions or actions the official can take regarding the issue. Offering constructive ideas can demonstrate your commitment and understanding of the problem.

Include your contact information

Legislators are busy people, and you should never demand a response. However, some legislators will take the time to get back to you, but they can only do that if you include your contact information, which also affirms the fact that you are a constituent or stakeholder.

Respond in a timely manner

Be sure to respond to any follow-up questions from the legislator's office in a timely manner. This is especially important if you invite a legislator to an event or contact them about a time-sensitive matter such as a vote.

Stay informed

Keep yourself updated on any developments related to your issue or concern. This will allow you to provide timely and relevant information to the official.

Work collectively

Consider organizing or partnering with like-minded individuals or groups to strengthen your message. Collective efforts often have a more significant impact.

Share your appreciation

Elected officials and their staff work hard to serve their constituents. Contacting your elected official to share your appreciation or to thank them goes a long way in helping cultivate a positive relationship.

Remember, the goal of contacting an elected official is to engage in constructive dialogue and influence decision-making, so effective communication and a thoughtful approach can significantly increase the chances of your message being heard and considered.

CLB Partners is here to help

At CLB Partners, our strong understanding of the legislative process at all levels of government helps us maximize our efforts for our client's benefit. Get in touch to learn more about how we can help you advance your legislative priorities.