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 |
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| Born |
Sandra Bolden
September 4, 1950 Newark, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Glenn Cunningham (1998–2004) |
| Education | Bloomfield College (BA) |
Sandra Bolden Cunningham (born September 4, 1950) is an American politician from the Democratic Party. She served in the New Jersey State Senate from 2007 until 2024. During her time in office, she represented the 31st Legislative District. She officially started her work as a senator on November 8, 2007. Sandra Cunningham is the widow of Glenn Cunningham, who was the Mayor of Jersey City and passed away in 2004.
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Early Life and Education
Sandra Bolden was born on September 4, 1950. She grew up in Newark. She went to West Side High School. Later, she earned a college degree, a Bachelor of Arts, from Bloomfield College. Her main area of study was liberal arts.
Early Career
Before becoming a politician, Sandra Bolden worked as an actress. She was part of a theater group called the Negro Ensemble Company. This group was known for its important plays.
In 1988, she became an executive for the Hudson County Bar Association. This job involved helping lawyers in the county. Before that, she had worked in various roles in Essex County.
Political Journey
After her husband, Glenn Cunningham, passed away, many people wondered if Sandra Cunningham would enter politics. Her husband had been elected to the Senate in 2003. She became the president of the Sandra and Glenn Cunningham Foundation. This foundation helps support different causes in Jersey City.
In 2007, Sandra Cunningham decided to run for the state senate. She ran in the Democratic primary election. She won this election in June 2007. In the general election that November, she won by a large margin.
Joining the Senate
In October 2007, the senator for her district, Joseph Doria, resigned. Sandra Cunningham was chosen in a special election to finish his term. She was sworn into the State Senate on November 8, 2007. After finishing the rest of Doria's term, she began her own four-year term.
Roles in the Senate
During her time in the Senate, Sandra Cunningham held important positions. She was the chair of the Higher Education Committee. This committee works on issues related to colleges and universities. She also served on the Budget and Appropriations Committee and the Labor Committee. Since 2008, she was the Senate majority whip. This role helps make sure that members of her party vote together on important issues.
In 2012, a local newspaper, The Hudson Reporter, recognized her influence. They named her among the 50 most influential people in Hudson County.
After dealing with an illness, Senator Cunningham announced in 2023 that she would not run for reelection. She retired from the Senate in January 2024.
Representing District 31
New Jersey has 40 legislative districts. Each district has one senator and two members in the General Assembly. For the 2022-2023 Legislative Session, the representatives for the 31st District were:
- Senator Sandra Bolden Cunningham
- Assemblywoman Angela V. McKnight
- Assemblyman William Sampson
Personal Life
Family
Sandra Bolden started dating Glenn Cunningham in 1990. He was a police officer and councilman in Jersey City. They got married on January 7, 1998, in Nassau, Bahamas. When Glenn Cunningham ran for Mayor of Jersey City in 2001, Sandra often joined him at public events. Glenn Cunningham passed away on May 25, 2004.
