Teresa Ruiz (politician)

For the actress, see Teresa Ruiz (actress).

Teresa Ruiz
Majority Leader of the New Jersey Senate
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 11, 2022
DeputyPaul Sarlo
Preceded byLoretta Weinberg
President pro tempore of the New Jersey Senate
In office
January 9, 2018 – January 11, 2022
Preceded byNia Gill
Succeeded bySandra Bolden Cunningham
Member of the New Jersey Senate
from the 29th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 8, 2008
Preceded bySharpe James
Personal details
Born
Maria Teresa Ruiz

(1974-06-28) June 28, 1974 (age 50)
Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationDrew University (BA)
WebsiteState Senate website

Maria Teresa Ruiz (born June 28, 1974) is an American Democratic Party politician, who has represented the 29th Legislative District in the New Jersey Senate since taking office on January 8, 2008. She has served as the Senate Majority Leader since 2022, becoming the first Latina to lead either the Assembly or Senate, after succeeding Loretta Weinberg upon her retirement from the Senate.[1]

  1. ^ Johnson, Brent. "Essex County lawmaker set to make history by succeeding Weinberg as Democratic N.J. Senate leader", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, October 28, 2021. Accessed March 17, 2022. "State Sen. Teresa Ruiz is the choice of top Democrats to take over for retiring Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg when the next legislative session begins in January, state Senate President Stephen Sweeney announced Thursday. That will maker her the first Latina to serve in a top leadership post in either house of the New Jersey Legislature."