Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
Assemblywoman Elizabeth Maher Muoio, who lives in Pennington and is a former Pennington Borough Council member, has been nominated to serve as State Treasurer by Governor-elect Phil Murphy.
Muoio, a Democrat, began her political career on the Pennington Borough Council, where she served from 1997 to 2001. During that time, she was also elected to the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders in 2000 and was re-elected in 2003 and 2006.
She left the Freeholder board in 2008 – before her third term had expired – when Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes appointed her to the post of director of Economic Development for Mercer County.
Muoio was appointed to the State Assembly in 2015, filling a vacancy created when then-Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for the 12th Congressional District.
Murphy’s nomination of Muoio was praised by several Democratic Party political leaders, including Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto and state Senators Richard J. Codey and Paul Sarlo.
The incoming governor “has picked a rising star who has worked in economic development, but who also has a passion for serving her constituents,” Gusciora, who serves alongside of Muoio in the 15th Legislative District, said.
“[Muoio] has displayed a deft understanding of complex fiscal matters while serving on the Assembly Budget Committee for the past several years,” Prieto said. “It is that experience which will serve her well, coupled with her extensive economic background.”
Muoio will be missed by her colleagues in the State Assembly, Prieto said, but “we all wish Assemblywoman Muoio all the best in this new role.”
Codey characterized Murphy’s selection of Muoio for State Treasurer as a “fantastic” choice, positing that she brings “integrity, a deep knowledge of proven practices to spur economic development and a keen understanding of state government.”
“Liz’s ability to forge friendships on both sides of the aisle over the years shows her commitment to sound policy over partisanship. I have no doubt New Jersey will be in good hands,” Codey said.
Sarlo, who chairs the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, said Muoio “possesses a working understanding of the interrelationship of finances among the different levels of government and its impact on the lives and livelihoods of the residents of New Jersey.”
“New Jersey is confronted with many fiscal and economic challenges that will have a real-life impact on the financial well-being of middle class families,” Sarlo said, adding that he looks forward to working with Muoio to meet those challenges and to effectively manage the state budget.
