Based in Essex County, New Jersey’s 34th Legislative District’s boundaries changed slightly due to the recent redistricting. It covers Belleville, Bloomfield, Orange, East Orange, Glen Ridge and Nutley.
After redistricting in 2001, the 34th became a Democratic-leaning district and that continues in its current incarnation. About 52% of registered voters are Democrats, compared to 11% who are Republicans. Most of the rest are unaffiliated.
Redistricting did cause a shakeup, moving Sen. Nia Gill into the 27th District, where she lost the primary contest. Instead, Assemblywoman Britnee Timberlake, who founded the non-profit Essex Community Land Trust and took office in 2018, and faces Republican Joseph Belnome of Belleville.
Assemblyman Thomas Giblin’s hometown was also redistricted out of the 34th and he chose to retire after 18 years in office. For the two open Assembly slots, the Essex County Democrats have chosen Carmen Morales, principal of Newark Tech High School and a resident of Belleville, and Bloomfield Mayor Michael Venezia. The Republican candidates are Clenard Childress Jr., an East Orange pastor who has run in the past, and James McGuire of Nutley.