The O’Toole Chronicles: Congratulations to the Class of ’25 from a member of the Class of ’95

This January 13 marks the start of a new beginning for twelve new state assembly members, and I feel somehow compelled to provide some advice. Where does this writer get the temerity to think he can impart some wisdom on these newcomers?

Well, today marks the 30th anniversary of my first oath as an assemblyperson as a member of the Class of 1995, and I remember it like yesterday. I was 31 years old, serving as mayor of Cedar Grove, and running for an open seat I wasn’t supposed to win against my predecessor’s own chief of staff, no less. But sometimes the voters have other plans — especially when you’re willing to make your own luck.

I spent eleven years in the Assembly—serving in both the majority and minority—and another eleven in the Senate, also on both sides of the aisle. After twenty-two years in the trenches, I think I’ve earned the right to offer a few observations.

Because today is hectic—and because the average elected official has the attention span of a mildly caffeinated shrew—I’ll keep this to bullet points for easier digestion.

Note to the new assembly members:

1. Remember this day, as it will never get any better or sweeter (until you move up to the Senate).
2. Treasure each day of service as it goes by quickly, and sooner than later, your run will be up.
3. Understand that in thirteen months, you will be getting petitions signed for the next election of 2027.
4. Trust that no seat is safe, and chances are most of you will be under attack in a primary or general.
5. Constituent services are your primary focus, and you need to prioritize this all-important function –nothing is more important.
6. Make friends with all members of both parties and try to govern and not be so political.
7. Raise your own money immediately and save as much money for the eventual fight. (Don’t enable your local florist to buy a shore house.)
8. Don’t believe that people who need something from you are your friends.
9. Respect and treat staff as equals, even though they are more intelligent than you. (If, like me, you used to be a staffer, learn from the good and the bad.)
10. Keep your word, as it matters, and it will define you each day going forward.
11. Keep an eye on your staff and remove them if they aren’t making the cut, and don’t hire friends.
12. Stay in touch with key contacts in your district and understand how the media operates in 2026.
13. Understand lobbyists have a job and protecting you — and getting you re-elected isn’t one of them.
14. Select a few important legislative priorities and work relentlessly until you get across the finish line
15. Be prepared to speak on the floor and at committee meetings without grandstanding or playing too much to the crowd.
16. Be prepared to defend your bill on the floor without a beehive of aides surrounding you and feeding you dummy cards.
17. Reapportionment is five years away, so remember that the Lord giveth and the Redistricting Commission taketh away.  (My career nearly ended after six years – yes, gerrymandering is real – so a decade later, I made my own luck and got appointed to the commission.)
18. Manage your relationship with your running mate cautiously and strategically.
19. Pick and choose your battles carefully, but never be timid.
20. If you have ethics questions, ask for help – and don’t guess.
21. Don’t be overly impressed by your new title or the shiny state seal on your new license plate – and never, ever play the “do you know who I am” card.
22. Salaries for legislators go up to $82,000-per-year.  Please don’t count on this as income to live on, because you never know when it will disappear.  You could find it difficult to replace an $82,000 part-time job where you’re self-employed.

One last thing – and this is directed at the 68 incumbents who were re-elected and fortunate enough to return for another term: the twelve newbies will remember every second of their first day in office.  Make sure they remember you fondly.

There is much more to discuss, but I wanted to send this brief message to the newcomers and give them a proper head start on one of the most incredible adventures of their lives.

Go kill it!

New Jersey State Assembly Class of 1995

Click HERE to view the New Jersey Globe’s look at the State Assembly Class of 1995.

Click HERE to view the New Jersey State Assembly seating chart in 1996 and 1997.