NJ Voters Guide: 38th Legislative District
New Jersey’s 38th Legislative District is in Bergen County. It encompasses Bergenfield, Fair Lawn, Glen Rock, Hasbrouck Heights, Little Ferry, Lodi, Maywood, Moonachie, New Milford, Oradell, Paramus, River Edge, Rochelle Park, Saddle Brook, South Hackensack and Teterboro.
Since 2004, the 38th has been represented by Democrats in all seats, a change that followed the 2001 reapportionment. About 37% of all registered voters in the district are Democrats, 24% are Republicans and most of the rest are unaffiliated.
There are contested primaries in both parties.
Assembly incumbents Lisa Swain, a former mayor of Fair Lawn, and P. Christopher Tully, a community college administrator, both survived primary challenges and are seeking reelection.
The Republican candidates are Barry Wilkes of Glen Rock and Robert Kaiser of Oradell.
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: 67 Hometown: Fair Lawn Occupation: Legislator Personal or professional background: I am a mother, wife, businesswoman, triathlete and distance runner. I received my B.A. in psychology from the University of Rochester and my M.A. in sport and fitness management from New York University. I was the mayor of Fair Lawn in 2011 and 2018 and was a councilwoman from 2008 to 2018. I am one of the current assemblymembers for LD-38. What is your top issue this year? Make no mistake, our reproductive freedoms are under attack across the country and that’s why they must remain a top issue in this election. Here in New Jersey, I have led the charge by sponsoring legislation to protect medical providers who perform abortions and other essential services from prosecution and I was proud to help pass the Reproductive Choice Act, guaranteeing every person the right to make their own health care decisions. I’ve also worked to ensure access to birth control remains safe and simple. While we’ve taken strong steps to protect these rights, I hear from residents every day who worry about losing them. I will never stop fighting to defend this fundamental freedom. What are your specific proposals for making New Jersey more affordable? I’m proud to have passed StayNJ to deliver property tax cuts for seniors, the ANCHOR program for direct relief to renters and homeowners, and a cap on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs. But we must go further. That means expanding affordable housing through public-private partnerships, incentivizing developers to build more accessible units, and continuing to explore cost-saving solutions that help all residents afford to live and succeed in New Jersey. 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? I support efforts to increase affordable housing. We’ve made progress with StayNJ and ANCHOR to reduce costs for homeowners and renters, but we must do more. Expanding affordable housing through public-private partnerships and encouraging developers to build accessible units is key. I also support exploring reforms to property tax assessments, smart development, first-time homeowner tax credits, shared services, and enhancing relief programs for low- and middle-income families. 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? I will fiercely resist any attempt by this administration to slash funding for critical services. As harmful cuts to our education system begin, I have proudly stood, and will continue to stand, against efforts to undermine our children’s future and take control away from New Jersey’s hardworking educators, school staff, and families. Our healthcare and social services are lifelines, not political battlegrounds, and I will fight every day in the legislature to not only blunt the impact of these cuts, but to protect New Jersey’s working families from being saddled with the consequences.
The candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
Age: 43 Hometown: Bergenfield Occupation: Legislator and Community College Administrator Personal or professional background: I’m a proud first-generation Irish American and lifelong Bergenfield resident where I live with my wife and son. I studied political science at Northeastern University and have worked in different public service roles in New Jersey. I was on the Borough of Bergenfield Council from 2009 to 2017 and served as council president in 2011 and 2014. I am one of the current assemblymembers for LD-38 as well as an administrator at Bergen Community College. What is your top issue this year? Gun violence remains one of the most critical issues we face. As a parent, I understand the need to keep our communities safe. That’s why I’ve worked to pass some of the toughest gun safety laws in the nation, like red flag laws, background checks, and closing loopholes. We’re also investing in violence prevention programs, mental health services, and working to address root causes of gun violence. My goal is to make New Jersey safer for every resident while respecting those who have proven themselves responsible gun owners. What are your specific proposals for making New Jersey more affordable? Making New Jersey more affordable remains a top priority. Through programs like StayNJ, ANCHOR, and Senior Freeze, as well as our efforts to lower prescription drug costs, we in the legislature are helping residents keep more of what they earn. But we need to do more. I support policies that expand affordable housing, incentivize development of reasonably priced units, and ensure that New Jersey stays inclusive and livable for families, seniors, and young people alike. 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? I support the push for more affordable housing. I’ve backed programs like StayNJ, ANCHOR, and Senior Freeze that directly reduce costs for residents. We need to go further by expanding affordable housing options, creating public-private incentives, and advancing property tax reform as well as encouraging smart development, incentivizing first-time homeowners, and improving our shared services. I also support income-based relief efforts that protect homeowners while ensuring New Jersey remains welcoming and affordable for everyone. 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? As this administration begins slashing funding to vital services, I am standing firm, just as I have every day in the Assembly, in defense of New Jersey’s families. I will fight to protect our schools, our healthcare, and our social safety net from becoming casualties of political agendas. Education cuts are already underway, and I have been and will continue to push back against any effort that undermines our children’s future or strips power from the dedicated educators, staff, and families who know what’s best for our communities. These services are lifelines, not bargaining chips, and I will do everything in my power to shield working families from bearing the burden of irresponsible decisions.
The candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.
