Heather Simmons

*Assembly Member, New Jersey General Assembly District 3 *

Heather Simmons is a Democratic Assembly Member representing Legislative District 3, which encompasses Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland Counties in New Jersey. She was sworn into the General Assembly in 2024 and currently serves as Deputy Whip as of 2026.

Before her election to the Assembly, Simmons was a four-term Gloucester County Commissioner, making her the longest-serving female Commissioner in the county's history and the first woman elected Deputy Director to the Board of Commissioners. During her tenure as Commissioner, she served as Commissioner Liaison to the Departments of Economic Development, Public Works, and Agriculture, overseeing multiple initiatives including community and economic development, workforce development, business attraction and retention, tourism, and land preservation.

Simmons currently resides in Glassboro, New Jersey.

Education

Simmons earned a Master of Arts degree in Public Relations from Rowan University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint Joseph's University.

Political Experience

Current Positions:
- New Jersey General Assembly Member
- Deputy Whip
- Vice Chair, Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee
- Member, Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee
- Member, Health Infrastructure Committee

Previous Service:
- Gloucester County Commissioner
- Vice President for Strategic Planning and Institutional Advancement at Rowan College of South Jersey

Notable Achievements:
- Launched the Gloucester County Economic Recovery Collaborative in 2021, focused on post-pandemic economic recovery and resilience for small businesses and high-growth industry sectors
- Spearheaded the county's first small business revolving loan fund, which resulted in $15 million in low-interest loans for more than 250 businesses

Professional Background:
Simmons has worked in public education for more than 30 years.