Barbara Buono: A Legacy of Legislative Leadership in New Jersey

Barbara Buono is a distinguished American politician and attorney who left a significant mark on the legal and social landscape of New Jersey. A member of the Democratic Party, Buono rose through the ranks of local and state government, eventually becoming a trailblazer in the New Jersey Senate. Her career is defined by a commitment to consumer protection, child safety, and legislative efficiency.

Key Facts

First Woman Majority Leader: She was the first woman elected as the Majority Leader of the New Jersey State Senate (2010–2012).
Legislative Pioneer: She was the first woman to chair the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
Key Legislation: Authored the New Jersey "Anti-Bullying Law" and spearheaded laws against predatory lending and aggressive telemarketing.
Gubernatorial Run: Served as the Democratic nominee for Governor of New Jersey in the 2013 general election.
Education: Holds a B.A. from Montclair State University and a J.D. from Rutgers University, Camden.

Early Life and Education

Born on July 28, 1953, in Newark, New Jersey, Barbara Buono grew up in Nutley. She credits the Nutley Public Schools system for providing the strong foundation necessary for her academic success. She graduated from Nutley High School in 1971 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Montclair State College in 1975.

Following her undergraduate studies, she pursued a legal career, earning her Juris Doctor (JD)—a professional degree in law—from the Rutgers School of Law–Camden in 1979.

Rise Through Local and State Government

Buono began her professional life as a criminal trial attorney for the New Jersey Department of the Public Advocate before transitioning into private practice. Her entry into elected office began at the local level, where she served on the Metuchen Borough Council from 1993 to 1994 and spent a year on the Metuchen Planning Board.

The New Jersey General Assembly

In 1994, Buono successfully ran for a seat in the New Jersey General Assembly, the lower house of the state legislature, representing the 18th district. She defeated the Republican incumbent in a special election with 53.7% of the vote. During her tenure from 1994 to 2002, she served as the Minority Parliamentarian (1996–1998) and became the ranking Democrat on the Assembly Budget Committee.

Leadership in the New Jersey Senate

Elected to the New Jersey Senate in 2001, Buono represented the 18th district until 2014. She broke several glass ceilings during this period, becoming the first woman to chair the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee and, in 2010, the first woman elected as the Senate Majority Leader.

She held the Majority Leader position until 2012, when she was succeeded by Loretta Weinberg after declining a power-sharing agreement proposed by Senate President Stephen Sweeney.

Legislative Achievements and Policy Impact

Senator Buono is best known for sponsoring legislation that protected vulnerable citizens. She authored the Anti-Bullying Law, which mandated that school districts implement policies to prevent harassment and protect children.

In the realm of consumer protection, she was the prime sponsor of two landmark measures: the creation of one of the nation's most stringent "Do Not Call" databases to restrict telemarketing, and a law prohibiting predatory lending—the practice of issuing loans with hidden costs and excessive fees that jeopardize homeowners' financial security.

Additionally, Buono supported the legalization of medical marijuana, though the resulting bills faced a mixed reception from successive governors.

The 2013 Gubernatorial Campaign

On December 11, 2012, Buono announced her candidacy for Governor of New Jersey. After winning the Democratic primary on June 4, 2013, she selected Milly Silva, executive vice president of 1199 SEIU, as her running mate for lieutenant governor.

The general election pitted Buono against the popular Republican incumbent, Chris Christie. On November 5, 2013, Christie won the election with 60.3% of the vote, while Buono received 38.2%.

Post-Political Career and Personal Life

Following the 2013 election, Buono transitioned away from New Jersey politics. In 2015, she moved to Portland, Oregon, where she served as an advisor to Mayor Ted Wheeler. She eventually returned to the East Coast in 2019.

Buono is married to Dr. Martin Gizzi. She has six children in total: four from her first marriage and two step-children with Dr. Gizzi.

Role	Body/Organization	Tenure	Key Milestone
Council Member	Metuchen Borough Council	1993–1994	First elected local office
Assembly Member	NJ General Assembly (18th Dist)	1994–2002	Ranking Democrat, Budget Committee
Senator	NJ Senate (18th Dist)	2002–2014	First female Chair of Budget Committee
Majority Leader	NJ Senate	2010–2012	First woman to hold this position
Gubernatorial Nominee	Democratic Party	2013	Democratic candidate for Governor

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Barbara Buono's most significant legislative achievement?

She is widely recognized for authoring the New Jersey "Anti-Bullying Law," which required school districts to implement harassment and bullying prevention policies to protect students.

Was Barbara Buono the first woman to hold a leadership role in the NJ Senate?

Yes, she was the first woman elected as the Majority Leader of the New Jersey State Senate, serving from January 12, 2010, to January 10, 2012.

How did Barbara Buono perform in the 2013 Governor's race?

Buono won the Democratic nomination but lost the general election to incumbent Republican Chris Christie, receiving 38.2% of the vote.

What is predatory lending, and how did Buono address it?

Predatory lending involves lenders using hidden costs and excessive fees to trap homeowners in unfair loans. Buono was the prime sponsor of the law that prohibited these practices in New Jersey.

Where did Barbara Buono move after her political career in New Jersey?

In 2015, she moved to Portland, Oregon, where she worked as an advisor to Mayor Ted Wheeler before returning to the East Coast in 2019.