Joann Downey

Joann Kagan Downey (born October 31, 1966) is an American Democratic Party politician representing the 11th Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly.

Joann Downey
Member of the New Jersey General Assemblyfrom the 11th District
Assumed office
January 12, 2016
Serving with Eric Houghtaling
Preceded byMary Pat Angelini
Caroline Casagrande
Chair of the New Jersey General Assembly Committee on Human Services
Assumed office
January 9, 2018
Preceded byValerie Vainieri Huttle
Personal details
Born (1966-10-31) October 31, 1966
Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Stephen Downey
EducationRutgers University, New Brunswick (BA)
New York Law School (JD)
Boston University (MSW)
WebsiteLegislative Website

Early Life

Downey was born in Jersey City, New Jersey. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Rutgers University, where she studied Political Science and English, a Juris Doctor from New York Law School and a Masters of Social Work from Boston University School of Social Work.[1] After graduating from Freehold Township High School, Downey was accepted to the New Jersey State Police, inspired by her father, who was a New Jersey State Trooper. Downey ultimately decided to pursue a law degree and prosecutorial work instead.[2] She went on to serve as Deputy State Attorney General, working in the Department of Children and Families. Downey cites this experience as the impetus that moved her to work toward her Masters in Social Work.[2]

New Jersey Assembly

Downey was elected to the General Assembly alongside running mate Eric Houghtaling in November 2015.[3] Their victory was considered by many to be an unexpected upset.[4] In July 2018 Downey and fellow Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling accused fellow Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso of violating the Truth-In-Caller ID while sending out robocalls. [5]

Committees
  • Human Services
  • Financial Institutions and Insurance

District 11

There are forty districts in the New Jersey Legislature each with one representative in the New Jersey Senate and two members in the New Jersey General Assembly. The other representatives from the 11th District for the current Legislative Session are:[6]

Electoral History

Assembly
New Jersey general election, 2017[7]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Democratic Joann Downey 31,347 27.7 2.5
Democratic Eric Houghtaling 31,012 27.4 1.8
Republican Robert Acerra 25,672 22.6 2.2
Republican Michael Whelan 25,320 22.3 2.1
Total votes '113,351' '100.0'
New Jersey general election, 2015[8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Democratic Eric Houghtaling 15,149 25.6 5.0
Democratic Joann Downey 14,906 25.2 5.0
Republican Mary Pat Angelini 14,653 24.8 5.3
Republican Caroline Casagrande 14,418 24.4 4.7
Total votes '59,126' '100.0'

References
  1. "votesmart.org". Joann Downey's Biography. votesmart.org. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  2. "Meet the Leaders | February 19, 2016 - New Jersey | New Jersey Assemblywoman Joann Downey". www.meettheleaders.com. Retrieved 2016-06-29.
  3. "Monmouth County Election Results 2015". Monmouth County Clerk's Office. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  4. Johnson, Brent (3 November 2015). "Elections 2015: Democrats oust Republicans in Assembly's 11th District". nj.com. nj.com. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  5. "Ethics panel finds probable cause to investigate DiMaso". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  6. "New Jersey Legislature - Legislative Roster". www.njleg.state.nj.us. Retrieved 2016-06-29.
  7. "2017-official-general-election-results-general-assembly.pdf" (PDF). New Jersey Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 May 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  8. "2015-official-ge-results-nj-general-assembly.pdf" (PDF). New Jersey Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 April 2017. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
New Jersey General Assembly
Preceded by
Mary Pat Angelini
Caroline Casagrande		 Member of the New Jersey General Assembly for the 11th District
January 12, 2016 – present
With: Eric Houghtaling		 Succeeded by
Incumbent
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