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“Historically, pandemics have forced humans to break with the past and imagine their world anew. This one is no different. It is a portal, a gateway between one world and the next.
We can choose to walk through it, dragging the carcasses of our prejudice and hatred, our avarice, our data banks and dead ideas, our dead rivers and smoky skies behind us. Or we can walk through lightly, with little luggage, ready to imagine another world.”
— Arundhati Roy
ELECT STRONG LEADERSHIP FOR LD21
The world has changed drastically in the last year. The disparities we knew existed—in healthcare, in wealth and income, in food security, have been exposed and exacerbated. The events of last summer and the last couple of weeks have forced a moment of reckoning on our nation—who are we and who do we want to be? As we come out of this pandemic, instead of going back to the same old tired ways of business as usual, we can choose to imagine and create a brave new world that is better equipped to meet the challenges that lie ahead.
I believe that this is a moment that calls for courageous leaders who are willing to take bold steps to ensure that even while we meet the daily needs of our residents, we aspire to higher ideals of growth and equity for all. Leaders who have the conviction to stand up for the truth and deliver results for their constituents. Leaders who are willing to look beyond partisanship, to put country, people and humanity first.
To read the full press release on Anjali's announcement, click here.
ABOUT
Anjali Mehrotra is a Mother, Activist, Grassroots Organizer currently serving as President of National Organization for Women of New Jersey. Anjali is a strong leader with a proven record of decades of service in leadership roles at multiple non-profits and advocacy organizations.
Born and raised in India, Anjali moved to New Jersey to attend college at Stevens Institute of Technology. After receiving her Bachelors in Engineering and Master in Science, both in the Computer Science field, Anjali worked as a systems consultant. After earning her certification in digital design, Anjali started a new career as a freelance designer, allowing her the flexibility she needed to raise her young family.
Anjali has lived in Legislative District 21 since 1995. She initially moved to Springfield, and then later in 2000 to her current residence in Mountainside. Here her twin daughters grew up, attending the public schools in Mountainside and Berkeley Heights before going to college at the University of Chicago. Anjali has been a relentless volunteer, a constant presence in the community as a Girl Scouts troop leader, President of the Mountainside Newcomers Club, chairing committees on and becoming the Executive Vice President of the Mountainside PTA. While her daughters attended high school, Anjali served as President of the Governor Livingston High School PTO.
EDUCATION
Master of Science
Information Management
Bachelor of Engineering
Computer Engineering
Stevens Institute of Technology
Hoboken, NJ
CERTIFICATIONS
Certificate in Diversity and
Inclusion
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY
Ready to Run®
Center for American Women and Politics
New Brunswick, NJ
Certificate in Digital Design
Parsons School of Design
New York, NY
EXPERIENCE
Anjali has been involved in Democratic politics through her work on campaigns and as Municipal Chair of the Mountainside Democratic Committee. In 2016, she volunteered for the Clinton campaign in New Jersey during the Primary and worked in PA for the General. In 2017, she joined Lacey Rzeszowski’s campaign for Assembly in LD21 and Linda Weber’s for Congress in CD7. In 2020, Anjali joined the national communications team for South Asians for Biden, helping turnout a key demographic which voted in historic numbers in swing states.
In 2018, Anjali ran for Mountainside Borough Council. In a historic race, the campaign outraised their opponents 10:1 and won over 48% of the vote in a town that has not elected a Democrat in more than 50 years. Though the Democratic ticket did not win, they were able to initiate change by exposing the corruption and nepotism in local police and government.
Since January 2019, Anjali has been serving as President of National Organization for Women of New Jersey. Under her leadership NOW has regained a seat at the table of power and influence in New Jersey. She has built relationships with legislators, the Governor’s office and advocacy groups. She has testified before the State Legislature and with Senators Booker and Menendez. Anjali testified before the State Board of Education as NOW successfully lobbied with coalition partners for the NJ DOE to implement comprehensive sex-education standards for K-12 schools. As cofounder of NJ's first coalition focused on menstrual equity, Anjali is working on a bills to provide free menstrual products in all public schools (A3388/S692).
President, National Organization for Women of New Jersey
Board of Directors, National Organization for Women (NOW)
Board Member, Union County Advisory Board on the Status of Minorities
Municipal Chair, Mountainside Democratic Committee
Union County Director, South Asian American Caucus, NJDSC
National Communications Team, South Asians for Biden & Indians for Biden
AFFILIATIONS
Summit College Club/AAUW
League of Women Voters of Berkeley Heights, New Providence and Summit
New Jersey Women’s Political Caucus
National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF)
POSITIONS HELD
PUBLICATIONS
Time for NJ Republican leaders to stand on the right side of democracy | Op-Ed for NJ SPOTLIGHT w/ Marci Bandelli, Co-founder of Westfield 20/20
A reflection from the intersection of gender and race | Star Ledger Guest Columnist
As New Jersey recovers from COVID-19, let us leave no woman behind | Special to the USA TODAY NETWORK
I strongly endorse Anjali Mehrotra for Assembly in LD21. I have first-hand experience watching and working with Anjali for over 15 years — in her roles as a candidate, as municipal chair, and as a community leader. Anjali has done the difficult grass roots work of leading the Mountainside and Berkeley Heights communities as President of the Governor Livingston High School PTO. She is a principled leader who is willing to take on difficult challenges. Anyone who has met Anjali knows that she lets her voice be known. She has the vision to lead, and also the day-to-day “grind it out” work ethic that’s necessary to flip LD 21. Anjali is the type of fearless leader who we need in Trenton.
— Rick Schkolnick
Vice Chair
Mountainside Democratic Committee
It is with great pride and confidence that I endorse Anjali Mehrotra for NJ Assembly from LD21. I met Anjali in 2018 when we both ran for Borough Council in our respective towns. Since then, I have gotten to know her well, not just as a fellow elected Chair of the respective Democratic Committees of our towns, but also as a savvy and astute relationship builder. Her tremendous work at NOW NJ and persistent can-do attitude speak volumes for her character. I respect her knowledge, her opinion and often consult her for her expertise. Not only is she a thoughtful leader, she is a fierce feminist who believes in pulling women up with her. Anjali is exactly the kind of hard working and across-the-aisle reaching navigator we need in Trenton.
— Rupa Kale
Chair
New Providence Democratic Committee
I have known Anjali for several years through various groups and organizations that have fought to foster democratic values both in the state of New Jersey and nationally. She has been a tireless advocate for women’s and human rights. Of particular note is her leadership in the New Jersey Chapter of NOW. She was instrumental in reactivating the Union County chapter and was then elected president of the New Jersey statewide chapter. I very much support her effort to bring her energy to the State legislature. She will be an excellent advocate for all the citizens of New Jersey.
— Lynda Feder
County Committee Member
Cranford
I believe that Anjali has an outstanding resume that gives her the experience to be an excellent addition to the NJ State Assembly. I have worked with Anjali in Union County NOW leadership prior to her becoming the State President of NOW. Anjali has shown herself to be very committed to the causes she believes in and would bring that passion to Trenton.
— Terri Tauber
Former Chair
Summit Democratic Committee
