Sandra Bolden Cunningham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sandra Bolden Cunningham
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| President pro tempore of the New Jersey Senate | |
| In office January 11, 2022 – January 9, 2024 |
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| Preceded by | Teresa Ruiz |
| Succeeded by | Shirley Turner |
| Member of the New Jersey Senate from the 31st district |
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| In office November 8, 2007 – January 9, 2024 |
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| Preceded by | Joseph Doria |
| Succeeded by | Angela V. McKnight |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Sandra Bolden
September 4, 1950 Newark, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | October 6, 2026 (aged 76) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | |
| Education | Bloomfield College (BA) |
Sandra Bolden Cunningham (September 4, 1950 – October 6, 2026) was an American lawmaker from New Jersey. She belonged to the Democratic Party. She served in the New Jersey Senate from 2007 until 2024. Cunningham represented the 31st Legislative District in the northern part of her home state. Before becoming a senator, she was married to Glenn Cunningham, who was the mayor of Jersey City. She spent many years working to improve education and help community members.
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Early Life and Education of Sandra Cunningham
Sandra Bolden was born on September 4, 1950. She grew up in the city of Newark. As a young student, she went to West Side High School.
After finishing high school, she continued her education in college. She went to Bloomfield College in New Jersey. There, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree after studying the liberal arts. Her time in school helped prepare her for working with people and solving problems in local communities.
Career in the Arts and Public Service
Before entering politics, Cunningham loved the performing arts. She worked as an actress and performed with the famous Negro Ensemble Company. This group gave Black actors and writers special chances to tell meaningful stories on the stage.
Later, she decided to serve the public through county government jobs. She worked for local programs in Essex County. In 1988, she became an executive leader for the bar association in Hudson County. In this job, she helped organize activities for local lawyers and judges.
Serving in the New Jersey State Senate
Sandra Cunningham ran for public office to help the people in her community. In 2007, she entered the Democratic primary election for the state legislature. She ran to replace Senator Joseph Doria, who was stepping down to take another public job.
She faced another lawmaker named Louis Manzo during the party primary. Cunningham won that race with strong support from local leaders, including former mayor Jerramiah Healy. She also joined forces on the ballot with L. Harvey Smith. Later that year, she won the general election with over 87 percent of the votes. She officially took her oath of office in the state legislature on November 8, 2007.
Important Work in District 31
In the New Jersey state legislature, each area has one senator and two general assembly members. Cunningham represented the 31st District alongside other leaders, including Angela V. McKnight and William Sampson. Together, they worked on new laws to protect citizens and help families.
In the state capitol, Cunningham was a very active leader. She served as the Senate majority whip, helping lead members of her political party. She also led the Higher Education committee. In that role, she worked hard to help students attend colleges and universities across the state. In 2012, a local newspaper called The Hudson Reporter listed her among the top ten most influential leaders in her home county.
Personal Life and Community Projects
In 1990, Sandra met a police officer and councilman named Glenn Cunningham. They were married on January 7, 1998, in Nassau in the Bahamas. When her husband ran for office and became the mayor of Jersey City in 2001, Sandra stood by his side at parades, speeches, and neighborhood meetings.
After her husband passed away in 2004, she started a charity called the Sandra and Glenn Cunningham Foundation. This group collected donations to fund scholarships and support good causes for local children. Cunningham retired from the legislature in early 2024 after many years of hard work. She passed away on October 6, 2026, at the age of 76.
