Raj Mukherji

Raj Mukherji
Member of the New Jersey General Assembly from the 33rd Legislative District
Assumed office
January 14, 2014
Serving with Annette Chaparro
Preceded by Sean Connors
Ruben J. Ramos
Deputy Mayor of Jersey City, New Jersey
In office
March 2, 2012  June 30, 2013
Preceded by Leona Beldini
Succeeded by John Thieroff
Commissioner & Chairman,
Jersey City Housing Authority
Assumed office
October 22, 2008
Preceded by Lori Serrano
Personal details
Born (1984-07-15) July 15, 1984
Political party Democratic
Residence Jersey City, New Jersey
Alma mater University of Pennsylvania, MLA
Seton Hall Law School, JD
Thomas Edison State University, BA
Website Political website
Military service
Service/branch United States Marine Corps
Years of service 2001-2009

Raj Mukherji is an Assemblyman in the New Jersey State Legislature who represents the 33rd Legislative District, as well as a lawyer, businessman, former Deputy Mayor of Jersey City, and political science professor.[1][2]

According to media reports, he started multiple successful businesses before leaving his teens[3][4] and was sworn in to his first public office at age 24.[5]

At 28, Mukherji on a ticket with Carmelo Garcia won a six-way Democratic primary election for the Assembly by a 36-point margin in 2013 and won the November general election by a 20-point margin.[4][6][7] He is the presently the state’s only South Asian legislator and the second in state history (after Upendra J. Chivukula).[6][8] In the Legislature, Mukherji was appointed by Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto to serve on the Assembly Budget Committee[9] in an appointment that raised eyebrows because of Mukherji’s status as a freshman lawmaker.[10] The Budget Committee crafts the Legislature’s annual appropriations bill (the state budget), which was $33 billion in 2014.[9] Mukherji also serves on the Commerce and Economic Development Committee, which is charged with improving the state’s economic climate and issues that affect job creation, urban enterprise zones, state and local redevelopment projects, corporate tax incentives, and business grant programs,[9][11] and the Labor Committee, which is the panel that oversees legislation regarding unemployment, workers' compensation and disability benefits, employment law, workplace safety, employee training programs, family leave, and the minimum wage.[9][10][11]

New Jersey’s 33rd Legislative District includes the Hudson County municipalities of Jersey City,[12] Union City,[13] Hoboken,[14] and Weehawken.[9] It is the most densely populated and ethnically diverse legislative district in the state.[15]

Early life, education, and career

Mukherji (aged 17 at the time) on the cover of the October 2, 2001 issue of Business News NJ
President Obama discusses urban issues with Jersey City leaders. From right to left: Mukherji, County Executive Tom DeGise, and then-Mayor Jerramiah Healy

Mukherji is the son of Indian American immigrants who arrived from Calcutta in 1970.[5][16][17] According to news accounts, he 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.[5][16] After suffering a pituitary tumor, stroke, and other ailments, Mukherji’s father - an accountant and musician[18] - could no longer work as a result of his health but could not afford health coverage without employment.[5][16][19]

Labeled a "wunderkind" by the media,[20][21][22][23] Mukherji was previously the CEO of an Internet consulting and software development company that he founded while in the sixth grade.[7][19][21] Mukherji later sold the company to a federal contractor to enlist in the Marines two weeks after the September 11 attacks at age 17, where he served as a reservist in military intelligence.[5][21][22][23][24][25] The young entrepreneur withdrew from high school at 15 to enroll in an early college program at Bard College at Simon's Rock,[5][26][27] eventually earning his bachelor's degree from Thomas A. Edison State University.[11] He also holds a masters from the University of Pennsylvania[11] and a Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Seton Hall Law School,[1] and he has performed on Broadway.[4][25]

At 19, Raj cofounded a public affairs firm[5][28] that he grew into the state’s third largest lawyer-lobbying firm,[5][25][29] reportedly through his ties to New Jersey Democratic establishments and the Obama administration.[20][30][31][32] He has also been a real estate developer[20][33][34][35][36] and healthcare entrepreneur, brokering hospital sales and owning a surgery center and other healthcare investments.[5][37] In 2011, he was named an annual "Legends" honoree by the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce.[28] He has starred on an episode of MTV’s Room Raiders[38] and has appeared as a guest commentator on various television news programs.[32][39]

Prior public service

At 24, Mukherji was appointed by the Mayor of Jersey City and confirmed by the City Council to replace Lori Serrano (who had been removed and was later charged with corruption) as the youngest Commissioner and Chairman to ever serve on the Jersey City Housing Authority,[40] the state's second largest public housing authority and a $70 million agency serving over 16,000 residents and over 6,700 households.[1][5][9] During Mukherji’s tenure, the JCHA was applauded by HUD for attaining the highest score for Section 8 management among similar agencies in the state.[25][41] The agency was also showered with federal grants and aid from the Obama administration, which dispatched then-U.S. Secretary of HUD Shaun Donovan to Jersey City on multiple occasions to announce tens of millions in competitive federal grants the agency had won.[42][43][44][45][46][47][48]

At 27, Mukherji was tapped to fill a vacancy as Deputy Mayor of Jersey City, New Jersey, the state’s second largest city with a $500 million operating budget.[49][50] According to The Jersey Journal, while Deputy Mayor, Mukherji declined the $110,056 salary and a city-issued car, instead opting to earn one dollar per year due to "the austere economic climate."[25][49]

Mukherji was previously appointed by then-U.S. Senator Jon Corzine to his Military Academy Board in 2003.[25] In 2004, Governor Jim McGreevey appointed him to the Governor's Council on Volunteerism and Community Service.[22] He was also a Superior Court-appointed member of the Juvenile Conference Committee.[25]

Legislative career

In his first term, Mukherji has been a primary sponsor of dozens of bills that passed both houses and were signed into law by Governor Chris Christie, including:

Other proposed laws sponsored and championed by Mukherji, which advanced during the 2014-15 legislative session, included:

Controversy

Mukherji became embroiled in controversy when he was tapped to be the new Chairman of the Jersey City Housing Authority.[40] Amidst his nomination, critics opposed the Housing Authority's plans to demolish and redevelop a six-tower 549-unit public housing project known as Montgomery Gardens.[114] Later, while under Mukherji’s leadership, the agency came under fire for its strict “One-Strike” eviction policy, enabled by federal legislation enacted under President Clinton, allowing housing authorities to evict entire households where a resident is charged with a serious crime (without being convicted).[115][116] While defending the legislation, Mukherji convened public hearings prior to ordering an overhaul of the One-Strike policy, telling Jersey City Independent that the policy had “served as a deterrent and important tool to reduce drug-related and violent criminal activity in public housing (…but) certain revisions may be appropriate to ensure an equitable policy and eviction process… We want to be fair and equitable to criminal defendants, as the presumption of innocence must be sacrosanct, while being mindful that our foremost responsibility is to do all that we can to keep our tenants safe.”[115][116]

As a teenager, Mukherji pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of possession of a fake identification in 2004 that was used for underage drinking.[117]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Political bio of Assemblyman Raj Mukherji.
  2. LinkedIn profile of Raj Mukherji, Esq.
  3. 1 2 3 Lim, Jeremiah. “Assemblyman Talks Business Development, Sick Leave.” The Alternative Press, 09-10-2014.
  4. 1 2 3 “Why a Young New Jersey State Assemblyman Is Working to Protect One of the Earth’s Oldest Animals.” The Dodo, 06-02-2014.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 “Seton Hall Law at Work: Raj Mukherji and Michael Murphy” Alumni Features, Seton Hall University School of Law, retrieved 10-14-2014.
  6. 1 2 “Indian-American Political Star Rises in NJ.” Voices of NY, 11-12-2013.
  7. 1 2 “Indian-American Raj Mukherji Wins Local Body Polls in New Jersey.” Jan Darpan, 11-08-2013.
  8. Kabita Sonowal. “The Rise of Indian-American Leaders in the American Political Scene.” USINPAC, 11-28-2013.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 “Press Release: Mukherji Appointed…” Assembly Democrats, 02-06-2014.
  10. 1 2 “Mukherji Appointed to Budget, Commerce, and Labor Panels.” Mile Square View, 02-06-2014.
  11. 1 2 3 4 New Jersey Legislature: Assemblyman Raj Mukherji (D).
  12. “Surati’s Holi Hai draws 2,000 people to Jersey City.” The South Asian Times, 04-04-2014.
  13. “Stack, Garcia and Mukherji Recognize Union City Student.” Hoboken Patch, 01-31-2014.
  14. “State Senator Brian Stack holds mobile senate office in Hoboken.” Hudson County TV, 08-20-2013.
  15. DP-1: Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for General Assembly District 33. United States Census Bureau.
  16. 1 2 3 Singh, Yoshita. “Want to see more Indian faces in US government: Raj Mukherji” rediff News, 11-27-2013.
  17. “Indian-Americans enhance political footprints in US” Pravasi Herald, 11-10-2013.
  18. Isherwood, Darryl. “Condolences to Raj Mukherji and family.” Politicker, 03-14-2013.
  19. 1 2 “Want to see more Indian faces in US government: Raj Mukherji” Deccan Herald, 11-27-2013.
  20. 1 2 3 Bishop, Brad. “Owner of Dean Oil site eager to break ground.” The Record Press, 02-11-2005.
  21. 1 2 3 Quinn, William T. “A Teenage Entrepreneur Goes to War.” Business News NJ, 10-02-2001.
  22. 1 2 3 “Devineni and Mukherji named on NJ advisory panels.” India Abroad, 08-06-2004.
  23. 1 2 Karsnak, Mike. At 20, he’s done it all: Lobbyist is college grad, Marine vet, and real estate whiz. Star-Ledger, 06-09-2005.
  24. Bresswein, Kurt. “Route 22 toll bridge proposal honors Marine killed in Afghanistan.” The Express-Times, 06-23-2014.
  25. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 “Raj Mukherji named Deputy Mayor of Jersey City.” India Post, 03-08-2012.
  26. “Notable Simon’s Rock Alumni.” Bard College at Simon’s Rock, retrieved 10-14-2014.
  27. “Newsmakers.” The Annandale Triangle, Bard College, November 2013.
  28. 1 2 Casselberry, Lauren. “Hudson County Chamber of Commerce's annual Legends Ball.” The Jersey Journal, 12-13-2011.
  29. “Top 10 N.J. Lawyer-Lobbyists in 2010.” New Jersey Law Journal, 03-09-2011.
  30. OpenSecrets.org: Donor Lookup of Raj Mukherji
  31. OpenSecrets.org: Barack Obama Inauguration Donors - Top Donors
  32. 1 2 Video: “Obama’s Re-election Campaign Begins.” FOXNews.com, 04-05-2011.
  33. Bishop, Brad. “Mukherji-Landmark designated by council.” The Record Press, 04-15-2005.
  34. Bishop, Brad. “Council reviews townhouse proposal.” The Record Press, 04-08-2005.
  35. Bishop, Brad. “Council reviews townhouse proposal,” page A-2. The Record Press, 04-08-2005.
  36. Bogdanowicz, Anna. “Fanwood developer agrees to build townhouses at 35 feet.” The Record Press, 10/7/2005.
  37. “Meet the Impressive Lineup of Speakers…” Elephants DC Blog, 09-18-2014.
  38. Room Raiders Episode Guide. TV.com.
  39. “My9 News Blog with Brenda Blackmon.” 09-19-2010.
  40. 1 2 Koepp, Paul. “Housing Authority replaces chair with young lobbyist. The Jersey Journal, 10-27-2008.
  41. “HUD: Jersey City Housing Authority scores high rating on Section 8.” New Jersey Newsroom, 06-25-2009.
  42. Hack, Charles. “Federal HUD secretary visits Jersey City to announce $9.7 million in scarce funding will help complete Duncan Avenue housing.” The Jersey Journal, 06/03/2010.
  43. Whiten, Jon. “Jersey City Housing Authority Gets $2.1M in Federal Grant Money.” Jersey City Independent, 08-11-2010.
  44. Smith, Shane. “Jersey City Housing Authority Gets $9.7M Federal Grant for Changes at A. Harry Moore.” Jersey City Independent, 06-02-2010.
  45. Smith, Shane. “Jersey City Housing Authority Nabs $1.8M to Provide Rental Help to the Disabled.” Jersey City Independent, 10-05-2010.
  46. Hunger, Matt. “Jersey City Housing Authority Set To Receive Grant From Department of Housing and Urban Development To Build Childhood Education Center.” Jersey City Independent, 02-06-2012.
  47. Whiten, Jon. “Jersey City Public Housing Complexes to Receive $9M in Energy Efficiency Upgrades.” Jersey City Independent, 04-26-2011.
  48. “HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan Visits Communities Impacted by Hurricane Sandy.” The White House, 11-16-2012.
  49. 1 2 McDonald, Terrence T. “Lobbyist and chair of the JCHA Raj Mukherji is quietly sworn in as deputy mayor.” The Jersey Journal, 03-05-2012.
  50. JerseyCityNJ.gov: 2012 Municipal Budget (Introduced)
  51. “Bail Overhaul Wins Passage in New Jersey.” Office of the Governor, 08-11-2014.
  52. “New Jersey Assembly Judiciary Committee to Vote Thursday on Bill to Reform Costly and Ineffective Bail System.” Drug Policy Alliance, 06-11-2014.
  53. “NJ Criminal Justice System Reform Bill Signed Into Law.” The Lakewood Scoop, 08-12-2014.
  54. “Governor Christie Strengthens New Jersey’s Prescription Monitoring Program to Further Curb Prescription Drug Abuse.” Office of the Governor, 07-20-2015.
  55. Samuel, Jen. “Opinion: N.J. bill banning domestic ivory, rhino horn sales deserves Gov. Christie's signature.” Times of Trenton, 06-28-2014.
  56. Villanova, Patrick. “Meryl Streep encourages Christie to sign bill banning sale of ivory.” The Jersey Journal, 06-19-2014.
  57. Hanna, Maddie. “N.J. outlaws ivory trafficking.” The Philadelphia Inquirer, 08-07-2014.
  58. Byers, Michele S. “Byers: NJ first to ban ivory trade.” Hunterdon County Democrat, 08-28-2014.
  59. Ingle, Bob. “NJ law will cut into profits of ivory poachers.” The Daily Journal, 08-08-2014.
  60. “State legislators make elephant history with unprecedented ivory ban.” Africa Geographic, 06-18-2014.
  61. “Governor Christie Signs Bipartisan Legislation To Crack Down On Black Market.” New Jersey Business, 08-05-2014.
  62. “Pinkin & Mukherji Bill Requiring Recovery Housing Programs in Certain Colleges Signed into Law.” Assembly Democrats, 08-10-2015.
  63. Zeitlinger, Ron. “Bills sponsored by Hudson County legislators signed into law.” The Jersey Journal, 02-05-2015.
  64. “Governor Chris Christie Signs Bills To Expand Substance Abuse Recovery Efforts.” Office of the Governor, 08-10-2015.
  65. Roberts, Kevin. “Governor Chris Christie Signs Bills To Expand Substance Abuse Recovery Efforts.” PolitickerNJ.com, 08-10-2015.
  66. "Caputo, Mazzeo, Burzichelli & Mukherji Bill to Help Clear Way for Sports Betting in NJ Now Law." Assembly Democrats, 10-17-2014.
  67. “Caputo, Mazzeo, Burzichelli & Mukherji Bill to Help Clear Way for Sports Betting in NJ Advanced by Assembly Committee.” Public Gaming Research Institute, 10-05-2014.
  68. Celock, John. “Christie Signs First In Nation Parkinson's Bill.” The Celock Report, 12-23-2014.
  69. Press Release: Parkinson Disease Public Awareness and Education Act (A-2576) signed into law in New Jersey. American Parkinson Disease Association, 12-16-2014.
  70. “Mukherji, Quijano & Pinkin Bill to Promote Public Awareness and Education About Parkinson's Disease Continues to Advance.” Assembly Democrats, 09-15-2014.
  71. Celock, John. “Lawmakers Advance Parkinson’s Bill.” The Celock Report, 09-15-2014.
  72. “Mukherji, Quijano Parkinson’s Disease Legislation Advances.” News, Assemblyman Raj Mukherji, 05-08-2014.
  73. Legislative Research: NJ A3217. LegiScan, retrieved 10-17-2015.
  74. S2586/2587/A3217/3218 ScsSa (SCS/1R) Requires certain sanitary and protective procedures for used mattresses. New Jersey Legislature, retrieved 10-17-2015.
  75. “Christie Signs Mukherji Legislation to Improve Prison Drug Treatment Programs, Break Cycle of Recidivism.” News, Assemblyman Raj Mukherji, 04-18-2014.
  76. “Press Release: Governor Christie Continues Commitment To Providing… Office of the Governor, 04-17-2014.
  77. “Mukherji & Mainor Bill to Increase Penalties for Fatal Hit-and-Run Boating Accidents Signed Into Law.” Assembly Democrats, 07-07-2014.
  78. “Press Release: Gov. Christie Signs Legislation to Promote Safe Boating In New Jersey.” Office of the Governor, 07-03-2014.
  79. Fernandes, Nicolas. “Bill increasing penalty for hit-and-run boaters becomes law in NJ.” The Jersey Journal, 07-21-2014.
  80. “Assembly Approves Mukherji and Mainor Bill to Toughen State Boating Laws, Increase Penalties for Fatal Hit-and-Run Boating Accidents.” States News Service. Highbeam, 05-22-2014.
  81. “A2218-Designates New Jersey Big Data Alliance as State's advanced cyberinfrastructure consortium.” TrackBill, 08-15-2014.
  82. “Assembly Oks $22.5 million in loans for dam restoration projects.” The Jersey Journal, 09-16-2014.
  83. Hayes, Melissa. “Christie signs bill allocating $22.5M for repairs to Passaic River dam, other projects.” The Record, 11-14-2014.
  84. “Prieto, Mukherji & Benson Bill to Expand Mammogram Insurance Coverage for Adopted Women Advanced by Assembly Panel.” InsuranceNews.net, 10-02-2014.
  85. 1 2 3 “Democratic Assembly Budget Committee Members on Passage of Budget that Protects Middle Class Priorities & Fulfills State Obligations.” Assembly Democrats, 06-26-2014.
  86. Legislative Research: NJ A3714. LegiScan, retrieved 10-14-2014.
  87. “Garcia, Mukherji, Vainieri Huttle, Mainor & Eustace Bill to Help Empower Teens to Seek Mental Health Treatment OK’d by Assembly Panel.” Assembly Democrats, 10-09-2014.
  88. Livio, Susan K. “Bill defining drug addiction as a mental illness passes N.J. Assembly committee” The Star-Ledger, 09-12-2014.
  89. “New Jersey Bill Classifies Drug Addiction as Mental Illness -- Strongly supported by parents of children lost to overdoses, Bill A3227 will give judges the power to send addicts to treatment.” The Fix, retrieved 10-14-2014.
  90. O’Brien, Rebecca D. “N.J. treatment homes for addicts face more oversight.” The Bergen Record, 09-11-2014.
  91. Kitchenman, Andrew. “Tighter Regulation Sought for ‘Sober Living’ Homes for Recovering Addicts.” NJ Spotlight, 09-12-2014.
  92. Friedman, Matt, and Ryan Hutchins. “New N.J. Legislature sworn in as Democrats focus on taxes, Hurricane Sandy.” The Star-Ledger, 01-15-2014.
  93. Friedman, Matt. “N.J. Assembly Democrats vow to fight property taxes during swearing-in ceremony” The Star-Ledger, 01-14-2014.
  94. “Lampitt, Andrzejczak, Mazzeo, Tucker, Singleton & Mukherji Bills to Make It Easier for Veterans to Get Services Released by Assembly Panel.” Assembly Democrats, 10-22-2014.
  95. “Bill to Allow Children of Active Duty Military to Stay in Same School.” Cape May County Herald, 11-15-2014.
  96. “Legislation Condemning & Vehemently Opposing Christie's ExxonMobil Settlement, Help for Wounded Veterans, Route 130 Pedestrian Safety, Tax Incentive Study, Cultural Diversity Training for Police & CO2 Detectors Highlight Thursday Assembly Session.” Assembly Democrats, 05-13-2015.
  97. “Assembly Panel Ok’s Bill Package Aimed at Making College More Affordable and Attainable for NJ Students – Four Bills are Sponsored by Cryan, Riley, Giblin, Mukherji, Lagana, Moriarty, Eustace, Quijano, Diegnan, Benson, Garcia, Singleton, Jasey and Fuentes.” Assembly Democrats, 09-18-2014.
  98. “DeAngelo, Schaer, Mosquera & Mukherji Bills to Protect & Reform N.J. Unemployment Benefits Fund Released by Assembly Committee.” Assembly Democrats, 09-11-2014.
  99. Legislative Research: NJ A949. LegiScan, retrieved 10-14-2014.
  100. Legislative Research: NJ A966. LegiScan, retrieved 10-14-2014.
  101. Legislative Research: NJ A2474. LegiScan, retrieved 10-14-2014.
  102. Zeitlinger, Ron “3 assemblymen introduce measure to log origin of illegal weapons.” The Jersey Journal, 06-02-2014.
  103. Shurin, Michael “Anti-crime bill honoring Dt. Marc DiNardo passes NJ Assembly 79-0.” Hudson County View, 09-16-2014.
  104. Zeitlinger, Ron. “Assembly approves bill inspired by Jersey City police officer killed in line of duty.” The Jersey Journal, 09-16-2014.
  105. “Caride, Eustace, Lagana, Andrzejczak & Mukherji Bill to Toughen Penalties for Heroin Related Crimes & Combat Rising Use in N.J. Advanced by Assembly Panel.” Assembly Democrats, 10-02-2014.
  106. Legislative Research: NJ A221. LegiScan, retrieved 10-14-2014.
  107. “Bill to provide increased background information on pets gets panel OK” Shore News Today, 09-23-2014.
  108. Symons, Michael. “Lawmakers renew push for financial aid for immigrants.” Asbury Park Press, 12-12-2014.
  109. Brush, Chase. “Assembly Labor releases paid sick leave bill, 6-3.” PolitickerNJ.com, 10-27-2014.
  110. “Assembly Panel Ok’s Mukherji, Pintor Marin & Eustace Bill to Help Property Owners Finance Flood & Hurricane Resistance Projects.” Assembly Democrats, 09-11-2014.
  111. Shifton, Mark D. “Green Building Priority Permitting Bill Reintroduced in New Jersey Assembly.” Green Building & Construction Law, 03-27-2014.
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  113. Legislative Research: NJ A3368. LegiScan, retrieved 10-14-2014.
  114. Martin, Antoinette. “End Nears for Unloved Housing.” The New York Times, 10-10-2008.
  115. 1 2 Whiten, Jon. “Housing Authority Holding Public Hearing on ‘One-Strike’ Eviction Rule Next Week.” Jersey City Independent, 08-05-2010.
  116. 1 2 “Housing Authority Holding Public Hearing on ‘One-Strike’ Rule Next Week.” The Huffington Post, 08-05-2010.
  117. McDonald, Terrence T. “Jersey City’s newest deputy mayor...” The Jersey Journal, 03-14-2012.
New Jersey General Assembly
Preceded by
Sean Connors
Ruben J. Ramos
Member of the New Jersey General Assembly for the 33rd District
January 14, 2014 – present
With: Carmelo Garcia
Succeeded by
Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by
Leona Beldini
Deputy Mayor of Jersey City, New Jersey
March 2, 2012 – June 30, 2013
Succeeded by
John Thieroff
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