In the wake of the
2021 apportionment, the reconfiguration of municipalities in the 32nd and
33rd districts and the incumbent Assembly members in those districts choosing to retire or run for other elective office, the Hudson County Democratic Organization chose newcomers Allen and
Jessica Ramirez to run for the two Assembly seats.[3] Allen and Ramirez defeated Republican Robert Ramos, the only other candidate running in the
2023 New Jersey General Assembly election.[4][5] Allen was one of 27 members elected for the first time in 2023 to serve in the General Assembly, more than one-third of the seats.[6]
^Election profile: 32nd Legislative District, NJ Spotlight News. Accessed January 9, 2024. "For the past five years or so, I worked as the chief of staff and then assistant corporation counsel for Mayor Ravi Bhalla of Hoboken.... Before working for the mayor, I was an attorney at a law firm that specializes in education issues. I represented school boards around the state, along with other clients.... A product of New Jersey public schools, I served on the school board in Old Bridge, my hometown, while still in college and ended up the board president. I have now returned to private law practice."
^John Allen, Ravi Bhalla for Hoboken Mayor. Accessed January 10, 2024. "During this time John attended Rutgers, New Brunswick where he earned a bachelors degree.... John was fortunate to earn a Dean’s scholarship, an academic based tuition scholarship, and attend Rutgers Law School – Newark."
^Fox, Joey.
"Mejia at last confirms he won’t run for re-election", New Jersey Globe, January 17, 2023. Accessed January 10, 2024. "More than a week after the fate of his Assembly seat was publicly announced, Assemblyman Pedro Mejia (D-Secaucus) at last said today that he won’t run for re-election this year.... But legislative redistricting proved to be Mejia’s undoing.... The neighboring 32nd district will also send two new faces to the Assembly, with Assemblyman Raj Mukherji (D-Jersey City) running for the Senate and Assemblywoman Annette Chaparro (D-Hoboken) stepping down after losing party support. They’ll be replaced on the county line by Jessica Ramirez and John Allen."
^Wildstein, David.
"37 new lawmakers take office at noon", New Jersey Globe, January 9, 2024. Accessed January 9, 2024. "The 221st New Jersey Legislature begins today, with 37 new lawmakers – nearly one-third of the legislature – being sworn in at noon. That number includes ten new Senators and 27 new members of the General Assembly."