Dawn Addiego

Dawn Marie Addiego (born October 20, 1962) is an American Democratic politician who represents the 8th legislative district in the New Jersey Senate. She previously served in the General Assembly from January 8, 2008 to November 22, 2010. On November 15, 2010, after Phil Haines was confirmed to serve on the New Jersey Superior Court in Burlington County, the county Republican committee (as she was a member of that party at the time) nominated and appointed Addiego to fill Haines's vacant seat until a June 2011 primary and the November 2011 general election.
Early life.
Addiego graduated from Villanova University with a bachelor's degree in accounting. She earned a J.D. from Widener University School of Law in 1987. Addiego served on the Evesham Township Council from 1993 to 2000 and on its Planning Board from 1993 to 1994. She was on the Tri-County Water Quality Management Board of Advisors from 1994 to 2000. She served on the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders from 2000 until 2008.
New Jersey Assembly.
While in the Assembly Addigeo served as the Assistant Republican Whip after taking office in 2008. She also served on the Appropriations Committee and the Higher Education Committee. In March 2009, Addiego, along with fellow Assemblyman Scott Rudder, asked for a 10% cut from her legislative salary in light of New Jersey's current economic crisis. A legal opinion from the New Jersey Office of Legislative Services found that they were the first lawmakers in New Jersey history to ask to waive part of their salary. In 2011, the two legislators proposed that the 10% pay cut that they took should be extended to other state legislative, judicial and executive branch employees, including the Governor. Addiego was a vocal opponent of Governor Jon Corzine's Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) plan to require towns to build a government-set number of affordable housing units. She argued that "COAH's new regulations will drive up property taxes, destroy open space and discourage economic development."
New Jersey Senate.
Addiego was elected to the New Jersey Senate in November 2011, running unopposed after prospective Democratic Party candidate Carl Lewis was knocked off the ballot because he didn't meet the state's residency requirement.
Party Switch.
On January 28, 2019, Addiego switched political affiliation to the Democratic Party. After Addiego's party switch one of the 8th Districts Assemblyman Joe Howarth had allegedly tried to switch his party from Republican to Democrat, and Republican leaders were unable to contact Howarth for two days. Thus the Burlington County Republican Committee dropped support for Howarth, and endorsed Burlington County sheriff Jean Stanfield for his seat in the Assembly.
District 8.
Each of the 40 districts in the New Jersey Legislature has one representative in the New Jersey Senate and two members in the New Jersey General Assembly. The other representatives from the 8th District for the 2020-2021 Legislative Session are: