Gerry Scharfenberger is a Republican representing New Jersey's 13th Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly since 2020. Born November 29, 1958, he has served as Republican Policy Chairman since January 2024 and holds committee roles including Budget, Environment and Solid Waste, Higher Education, and Regulated Professions. Notable prior positions include Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Middletown Township , Monmouth County Freeholder , and member of the Middletown Township Committee for nearly 13 years. He resides in Middletown with his wife Geraldine and two children, and serves as Chair of the Middletown Township Landmarks Commission and on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity of Monmouth.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: BA in Anthropology from Rutgers University; MA in Anthropology from Hunter College; PhD in Anthropology from City University of New York Graduate Center, focusing on historical archaeology and cultural landscape studies. Professional archaeologist with lectures across the US, Canada, and England; currently adjunct faculty at Monmouth University.
• Political Experience: State roles include Acting Executive Director of the New Jersey Business Action Center and Director of the Office for Planning Advocacy ; member of Governor Chris Christie's transition team. Local service includes Middletown Zoning Board of Adjustment .