Gary S. Schaer is a Democratic Assembly Member representing Legislative District 36 in New Jersey, which includes the city of Passaic and southern Bergen County. Elected to the New Jersey General Assembly in November 2005 and serving since 2006, he is the first Orthodox Jew elected to the state legislature. He currently holds key leadership roles as Policy Chair and former Deputy Speaker , and previously served as Budget Chair . Schaer is also Council President for the City of Passaic, where he has been a councilman since 1994 , and previously acted as Acting Mayor in 2008. He serves as Vice Chair of the Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee, a member of the Appropriations and Budget Committees, and the NJ-Israel Commission. Additionally, he is Executive Director of the Passaic County Improvement Authority.

Notable achievements include advocating for labor and education reforms, environmental justice, property tax reform, and funding for educational institutions. He secured a $4 million increase for special education in nonpublic schools , utilized $240 million for the Dayton Avenue Educational Campus, and led a 2021 bill signed into law to replace all lead service lines in New Jersey within 10 years . He has supported affordable housing, prevented Medicaid co-pays, and ensured federal Medicaid funds for family support for people with developmental disabilities. Married to Donna for over 45 years, he has three children and four grandchildren.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Attended American University; worked over 20 years in the financial services industry.
• Political Experience:
  • New Jersey General Assembly, District 36 : Policy Chair , Deputy Speaker , Budget Chair .
  • Passaic City Council : Council President , Acting Mayor .
  • Other roles: Commissioner, Passaic Housing Authority; Commissioner, Board of Education for Passaic County Technical Institute; Trustee, St. Mary’s Hospital in Passaic; Urban Enterprise Zone Director .