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M. Teresa Ruiz (b. June 28, 1974) is a Democratic member of the New Jersey State Senate, representing District 29. Ruiz was elected to the chamber in 2007 and was re-elected to a new term in 2017.
Ruiz has served as state Senate president pro tempore since January 2018.
Ruiz earned her B.A. in English from Drew University. Her professional experience includes working as a preschool teacher and as deputy chief of staff for Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr.
Former Member, Board of Commissioners, Essex County Improvement Authority
Former Member, Legislative Oversight Committee, New Jersey State Senate
Member, New Jersey Performing Arts Center Arts Education Committee
Member, Budget and Appropriations Committee
Chair, Education Committee
Member, Higher Education Committee
Member, Select Committee on Legislative Oversight
— Awards:
New Jersey State Senate, District 29 General Election, 2017
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic |  Teresa Ruiz Incumbent |
87.25% | 20,506 |
| Republican | Maria Lopez | 10.84% | 2,547 |
| One Nation Party | Pablo Olivera | 1.91% | 449 |
| Total Votes | 23,502 | ||
| Source: New Jersey Department of State | |||
New Jersey State Senate, District 29 Democratic Primary, 2017
| Candidate | ||
|---|---|---|
| Teresa Ruiz Incumbent | ||
| Source: New Jersey Department of State | ||
New Jersey State Senate, District 29 Republican Primary, 2017
| Candidate | ||
|---|---|---|
| Maria Lopez | ||
| Source: New Jersey Department of State | ||
Ruiz won re-election in the 2013 election for New Jersey State Senate District 29. Ruiz was unopposed in the June 4 Democratic primary and defeated Raafat Barsoom (R) and Pablo Olivera (I) in the general election on November 5, 2013.
New Jersey State Senate, District 29 General Election, 2013
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Teresa Ruiz Incumbent |
78.3% | 16,078 |
| Republican | Raafat Barsoom | 17.7% | 3,636 |
| Independent | Pablo Olivera | 3.9% | 808 |
| Total Votes | 20,522 | ||
Ruiz won re-election to the District 29 State Senate seat in 2011. She ran unopposed for the June 7 Democratic primary election. Ruiz defeated Aracelis Sanabria Tejada (R) and Laurie Taylor (I) in the general election, which took place on November 8, 2011.
New Jersey State Senate District 29 General Election, 2011
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Teresa Ruiz Incumbent |
82.2% | 9,076 |
| Republican | Aracelis Sanabria Tejada | 14.5% | 1,598 |
| Independent | Laurie Taylor | 3.3% | 363 |
| Total Votes | 11,037 | ||
In 2007, Ruiz was elected to the New Jersey State Senate District 29. Ruiz (D) finished with 10,816 votes and was followed by Luis Quintana with 3,687 votes, William Payne (I) with 3,653 votes, Al-Samar Douglas (R) with 547 votes, Dick Hester with 123 votes, and Sara Lobman with 96 votes. Ruiz raised $284,879 for her campaign fund.
New Jersey Senate 2007 General Election, District 29 (2007)
| Candidates | Votes | |
|---|---|---|
| Teresa Ruiz (D)
|
10,816 | |
| Luis Quintana (Other) | 3,687 | |
| William Payne (I) | 3,653 | |
| Al-Samar Douglas (R) | 547 | |
| Dick Hester (Pro-Life Conservative Veteran) | 123 | |
| Sara Lobman (Socialist Workers) | 96 | |
