Nia Gill facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Nia Gill
Member of the New Jersey Senate from the 34th district
In office January 8, 2002 – January 9, 2024
Preceded by	Norman M. Robertson
Succeeded by	Britnee Timberlake
President pro tempore of the New Jersey Senate
In office January 12, 2010 – January 9, 2018
Preceded by	Shirley Turner
Succeeded by	Teresa Ruiz
Member of the New Jersey General Assembly from the 27th district
In office January 11, 1994 – January 8, 2002
Preceded by	Robert Brown Quilla Talmadge
Succeeded by	Mims Hackett John F. McKeon
Personal details
Born	(1948-03-15) March 15, 1948 (age 77) Glen Ridge, New Jersey, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Education	Upsala College (BA) Rutgers University, Newark (JD)

Nia H. Gill (born March 15, 1948) is an American lawyer and politician. As a member of the Democratic Party, she served in the New Jersey Senate from 2002 to 2024, representing the 34th Legislative District.

In 2012, she ran for a seat in the United States House of Representatives but was not successful. From 2010 to 2018, Gill held the position of Senate President pro Tempore, a role where she would lead the Senate if the president was absent.

Early Life and Education

Nia Gill was born on March 15, 1948, in Glen Ridge, New Jersey. After graduating from Montclair High School, she went to Upsala College. There, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history.

Later, she attended Rutgers Law School and earned a J.D., which is the degree needed to become a lawyer.

Career in Law and Politics

Before becoming a politician, Gill worked as a lawyer. She was a law clerk for a judge in Essex County and also worked as a public defender, a lawyer who represents people who cannot afford one. She later started her own law firm.

New Jersey General Assembly

Gill's political career began in 1994 when she was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly, which is one of the two parts of the New Jersey Legislature. She served there until 2002. During her time in the Assembly, she held a leadership role called Minority Whip from 1996 to 2001.

New Jersey Senate

In 2001, Gill ran for the New Jersey Senate. The voting districts had been redrawn, and many Democratic voters were added to her district. This helped her win the election against the person who held the seat at the time.

She was re-elected six times, serving the people of her district for over 20 years. From 2010 to 2017, she was the Senate President Pro Tempore.

Important Laws

As a senator, Gill worked on many important laws.

• Civil Rights: She sponsored a law to make racial profiling a state crime. She also created the New Jersey Civil Rights Act, which helps protect people's rights.
• Tax Deductions: Gill sponsored a law that gives a $3,000 income tax deduction to families who care for an elderly relative at home.
• Death Penalty: She supported a law that ended the death penalty in New Jersey.
• Domestic Violence: She sponsored a bill to create a list of domestic violence orders to be checked when someone applies for a gun permit.

Gill was the first African American woman in New Jersey's history to serve on the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee. This committee reviews laws and the qualifications of judges.

Senatorial Courtesy Issue

In 2007, Governor Jon Corzine wanted to nominate Stuart Rabner as the new Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court. At first, Gill and another senator from Rabner's home county used a tradition called "senatorial courtesy" to block the nomination. This tradition allows senators to stop a nomination from their own county.

Gill expressed concerns because Rabner had never been a judge. After meeting with Rabner, she allowed the nomination to move forward. However, when the Senate voted to approve him, Gill cast the only "no" vote, stating her reasons.

2023 Election

After the 2020 United States census, the legislative districts in New Jersey were redrawn again. This meant Gill had to run against another experienced senator, Dick Codey, in the Democratic primary election. A primary election is a contest to see who will be the party's main candidate.

Gill lost the primary election. Although Codey won, he later decided to retire from the Senate. This led to some criticism, but party leaders said it was not a plan to push Gill out of her seat.

Other Political Roles

In 2005, when Jon Corzine was elected Governor of New Jersey, he had to leave his seat in the United States Senate. He considered appointing Gill to fill the position, but he ultimately chose someone else.

In 2012, Gill ran for a seat in the U.S. Congress after Representative Donald M. Payne passed away. She competed against several other candidates, including Payne's son, Donald Payne Jr., who won the election. Gill finished in third place.

Election history