NJ Voters Guide: 37th Legislative District
New Jersey’s 37th Legislative District borders the Hudson River in Bergen County. It covers Bogota, Englewood, Englewood Cliffs, Fort Lee, Hackensack, Leonia, Palisades Park, Ridgefield Park, Teaneck, and Tenafly.
Democrats have long held this district. Close to half of registered voters are Democrats, 16% are Republicans and most of the rest are unaffiliated.
Assembly incumbents Shama Haider, a former Tenafly councilwoman, and Ellen Park, an attorney, comprise were victorious in a crowded primary.
The Republican candidates are Marco Navarro of Bogota and Andrew Meehan of Hackensack.
Editor’s note: All candidates were contacted multiple times for the NJ Decides 2025 voting guide Q&As. Click on a candidate to see any answers provided.
The candidates
Age: 76 Hometown: Tenafly Occupation: Retired/Legislator Personal or professional background: As an Assemblywoman, I have proudly represented New Jersey’s 37th legislative district for almost four years. I immigrated to Bergen County from Pakistan where I married my late husband and raised my children. I was an activist during my years at university so it was only natural that I became interested in public service later on in life. After serving on various boards in my hometown, I decided to run for local council. I served two terms and went on to become the democratic municipal chair. At the same time, I made a career working for the arts in the nonprofit world. I saw an opportunity to continue my public service by running for state Assembly. My journey – as an immigrant, mother, and public servant – inspires my work everyday. What is your top issue this year? Affordability remains the top concern for families across our district. From housing and groceries to healthcare, childcare, and utility costs, the rising cost of living is putting real pressure on working families, young people, and seniors alike. I am committed to continuing the fight for smart, compassionate policies that ease this burden—because no one should have to choose between paying bills and putting food on the table. Everyone deserves a fair shot at stability, dignity, and opportunity here in New Jersey. What are your specific proposals for making New Jersey more affordable? To make New Jersey more affordable, we must tackle rising costs on multiple fronts. I support expanding eligibility for childcare subsidies and extending enrollment-based funding for providers, so families have access to affordable, reliable care. We must also invest in universal Pre-K and school meals to ease financial pressure on working parents. When it comes to housing, I support local zoning reforms that can increase supply and incentivize developers to build beyond just luxury units. Regarding healthcare, I support exploring site-neutral payments, reference based pricing, and enforceable cost benchmarks to control rising costs and protect consumers. Do you support the state law designed to increase the amount of affordable housing and if not, how would you make housing less costly for residents? Yes, I support the state law designed to increase the amount of affordable housing. It is critical that we take collective responsibility for the well-being of all our residents. Many of us work day in and day out but are still struggling to afford daily expenses including housing. Every municipality should share in the task of ensuring access to safe, affordable housing—it cannot fall on just a few communities. That doesn’t mean we need to build everything from scratch. We can and should repurpose vacant office buildings and underused commercial spaces to meet our housing needs in a smart, sustainable way that reflects the realities of today’s economy and communities. How would you manage potential federal funding cuts to social services, health care, education, and other areas, particularly in light of the state’s budget challenges? We must protect the vital services that New Jersey families rely on—like health care, education, and social supports—by prioritizing them in the state budget. We are currently evaluating various options regarding the FY26 budget. That means making smart, efficient use of every dollar, identifying waste, and ensuring that those most in need are not left behind. We can also explore new partnerships, and invest in programs that save money in the long run. In tough times, it is critical that we don’t pass the burden onto New Jersey families.
The candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Age: 53 Hometown: Englewood Cliffs Occupation: Attorney Personal or professional background: I was born in Seoul, South Korea, before immigrated to the US at the age of 6. I received my B.A. from New York University and J.D. from Hofstra. While there, I was the VP of the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association and headed a voter’s registration drive in Queens in 1996. I founded the Law Offices of Ma & Park with my husband, practicing criminal and real estate law. Before the Legislature, I served on the Englewood Cliffs Borough Council. I was elected to the Assembly in 2021, and currently serve as Chair of the Judiciary Committee. My life is the American Dream. I arrived here as an immigrant, not speaking a word of English, feeling out of place, enduring financial hardships, but also committed to building a better future. What is your top issue this year? Affordability is the number one issue on most people’s minds today, especially with the incoherent and incomprehensible policies coming from the federal government. My Assembly companion, Shama Haider, and I hear it daily from our constituents, the price of everything is going up, from simple ingredients like eggs, to the cost of housing, let alone the cost of a college education. We must prioritize affordability, reducing the financial burdens on families while building up communities. What are your specific proposals for making New Jersey more affordable? I am the prime sponsor of A-1920, which extends childcare subsidies to families earning up to 300 percent of federal poverty level. New Jersey childcare costs are amongst the highest in the nation, especially in Bergen County, where the demand seems to dwarf the supply. The cost can be so burdensome that it prevents parents – often women – from re-entering the workforce. We will never ensure that women are in the workforce (51.2% of the state population) without affordable childcare. Financial stability is best for the providers and the families. It ensures the providers can make long- and short-term financial planning decisions and that families have reliable and predictable childcare options. Do you support the state law designed to increase the amount of affordable housing and if not, how would you make housing less costly for residents? Yes, I support the Legislature’s affordable housing law. Housing needs to be affordable; it is key to building stable and safe communities. How would you manage potential federal funding cuts to social services, health care, education, and other areas, particularly in light of the state’s budget challenges? The potential cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security and veterans’ benefits are the number one concern of the Assembly Budget Committee this year, of which I am Vice Chair. New Jersey will protect the most vulnerable. Healthcare is our most basic right, access to breast screenings allows for early detection of cancer leads to early treatment and higher survival rates.
The candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
