Oadline Truitt facts for kids

Oadline Truitt (born August 2, 1940) is an American politician from the Democratic Party. She served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 2006 to 2008. During her time there, she represented the 28th legislative district.

While in the Assembly, Truitt was a member of the Education Committee. This committee works on laws related to schools and learning.

About Oadline Truitt

Oadline Truitt has been a librarian in Irvington and lived in Newark for many years. She is also a dedicated activist for the Democratic Party in Newark.

Becoming an Assemblywoman

Truitt was chosen by the Democratic Committee of Essex County on February 2, 2006. She filled a spot in the Assembly that became open when the previous Assemblywoman, Evelyn Williams, left her position. Truitt officially started her role in the Assembly on February 9, 2006.

In November 2006, Assemblywoman Truitt ran for the rest of the two-year term. She won the Democratic primary election against Alton Wheeler, who was the President of the Newark Board of Education. Since no candidate from the Republican Party ran against her, Assemblywoman Truitt won the election without opposition.

Education and Career

Oadline Truitt earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree from Kean College. Her studies focused on Education and Library Media. She works as a School Librarian for the Irvington Public Schools. Since 1997, she has also served on the Newark Rent Control Board. This board helps manage housing rules in Newark.

Election Challenges

Oadline Truitt's first election in January 2006 faced some challenges.

First Election Meeting

Truitt was first chosen at a special meeting on January 9, 2006. However, there was a problem because the meeting was announced only three days beforehand. State law requires seven days' notice for such meetings. There were also questions about whether enough people were present for the meeting to be official. Because of these issues, her first election was not approved by the Essex County Democrats or the New Jersey Democratic State Committee.

Second Election Meeting

The Democratic Committee decided to hold the meeting again. Truitt won this second meeting as well. In this new election, she won against Cleopatra Tucker, who was the widow of a former Assemblyman.

2007 Primary Election

In the 2007 Democratic primary election, Truitt and Assemblyman Craig Stanley faced new challengers. Mrs. Tucker and Ralph Caputo, a former state assemblyman and Essex County Freeholder, ran against them. The team of Tucker and Caputo won the election. They were supported by Newark Mayor Cory Booker, who wanted to help his own supporters get elected to the State Legislature. Assemblywoman Truitt finished fourth in this four-person race.

Understanding District 28

The New Jersey Legislature has forty districts. Each district has one representative in the New Jersey Senate and two members in the New Jersey General Assembly.

Representatives from District 28

The other representatives from the 28th Legislative District during Truitt's time were:

• Assemblyman Craig A. Stanley
• Senator Ronald Rice